Help - Any Idea What This Is?

[bedofroses]

http://i63.tinypic.com/qya54h.jpg

I'm in the process of updating my ancient kitchen and this boxed in piping is causing an issue, but even more of an issue is the nobbly bit. Any idea what it is and can it be cut off so the wall can be plaster boarded without losing any more space? Thanks in advance

[Buenchico]

It looks to me as if there's a metal rod sticking out, with a nut on the end of it (to hold whatever's attached to the rod in place). So you might need to investigate what's on the other side of the wall (or within the wall's cavity, if that's appropriate).

[rowanwitch]

Looks like a redundant connection for a gas light. Might be worth checking there is no supply to the pipe before removing it.

[woofgang]

yes, looks like a capped off gas pipe.

[TonyV]

I'd gently remove paint with a wood chisel or paint stripper, or a conjunction of both, which may give you a better idea of what's underneath the paint.

[bedofroses]

Thanks all, its a 1930s house and the boiler was moved from that wall in the 90s but the supply is still required for the cooker.

[Togo]

TonyV is on the right track. The previous suggestions that it could be an old gas mantle supply are good. If you can clean it up and ascertain whether it is an iron pipe, or capping, you can be sure that it is an old gas light supply. If it is, the chances of still being connected to the gas main are virtually zero. I would turn off the gas supply and then either open the end capping nut or even cut the pipe. Then carefully, with the lights switched off, and no naked flames in the vicinity of the pipe, gradually ease the gas supply back on. You will smell gas immediately if it is still attached. (not likely I would bet) If it is not you will need to hack away the plaster etc and cut the pipe away with a hacksaw or grinder so that you can plasterboard over it.

[Togo]

Just seen your info that the boiler was in there somewhere. Hmm. I would then be looking under the floorboards to see whether I could find the pipe rising, and then if it was still connected to the gas main. If it is it needs to be isolated anyway. Pipes buried under plaster or cement are a bad idea whether they have gas or water in them.

[TonyV]

Looking at your pic again what's the capping above and below your "nobbly bit"? If you are going to plaster board it, I'd have that of, maybe there's some more clues under that. What height is this protruding bit?

[TonyV]

Togo personally I would not cut the pipe until it's acesstained what it is, because if it is still "live" you would be stuffed with no gas.

[The Builder]

It's a tough one. My first thought is that I've never come across a gas capping anything like this. Lighting would most likely have had lead pipework. Capping would simply be done by flattening the pipe and soldering it closed.
This could be an iron pipe I guess, but it would depend on how high it is from floor level.
Is it where you might expect a wall-light fitting?

I'm inclined to think it's the remains of a bolt that held up the old boiler.

Anyway, as others have said, poke around it and explore. Hammer and chisel the masonry surrounding it. You should soon see if this is hollow pipework or solid steel.

[bedofroses]

Thanks for all your suggestions - is this a better photo?
http://i64.tinypic.com/2jdopoi.jpg
It's about 1.5 inches s long by 1 inch wide and is positioned about 6ft from the floor.

[Old_Geezer]

Just looks like a bolt with a nut on, painted over, to me. Probably holding on the thing it goes through. Remove the paint and check again.

[TonyV]

You can check whether it's steel or not with a magnet, which may help narrow things down a bit.

[woofgang]

Builder it looks like the capped off gas pipe in my late Mum's ex council flat in London. It will have been done late 60's early 70's. we had a gas fridge and the pipe was capped off when we got an electric one. The bolt type end thingy was still sticking out of the wall when we sold the flat around 10 years ago.

[The Builder]

That's interesting, Woofters. You may well be right.

The thing that puzzles me, is that it appears to have been drilled through masonry. (Looks like brickwork.) It leaves me wondering where it comes from.

Anyway, easy to investigate with a bit of chiselling.

Bedofroses, do let us know what you find, to put us all out of our misery. We do tend to get precious little feedback on here. I'd love to know.

[TonyV]

^^^^^
Ditto