Old house question: What's this thing???

[Capt_Cully]

What is this thing (mushroom looking thingy up against house)?

Inspector said it's a vent for the furnace. It has rusted and fallen off. It's merely propped up in picture.

I tried to track it inside the basement, but best I can tell, it is a dead end just peeking through the interior block wall of the basement. There used to be a heating oil tank inside the basement which was filled by the larger diameter pipe in front of the pipe in question. Best I can tell, the unknown pipe served some purpose to the old oil tank.

Any help???? Thanks

 

[Jedistphn]

looks like an old gas pipe supply. or electric. capped off and nothing to worry about

 

[rigleautomotive]

its a vent for a old oil tank

 

[Jacwil]

its a vent for a old oil tank

+1! I've seen these on some of the older house remodels I've worked on.

 

[captain7359]

yup, just a vent frrom the old oil tank. Leave it unless you feel motivated to replace/patch the siding. Or do like I did and use the hole to add a hose bibb.

 

[Jacwil]

Good call Walt on the hose bib!

 

[Capt_Cully]

OK fellers! Thanks. I'm supposed to replace it, but that was because it was mistaken for a furnace vent. This should save me a couple of bucks.

Now.....what the heck is a hose bibb????

 

[talon4x4]

Now.....what the heck is a hose bibb????

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

If an inspector thought that was a(n active) furnace vent, based on what you've told us and that photo, I'd be worried about what else the inspector got wrong.

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

I think that is actually a sillcock; for most non-trade people they are both spigots.

 

[Capt_Cully]

There's no confirmation yet, that this is what he was refering to. I'm going based on a second/third hand description. I do have a contractor coming over with the detailed report. Perhaps it's something entirely different they were refering to. My question was, if nothing else, for my own edification. When I get the report and written request for repair, I'll know more. (Inspection was for a potential buyer, not for me)

Thanks again!

 

[johno4]

If an inspector thought that was a(n active) furnace vent, based on what you've told us and that photo, I'd be worried about what else the inspector got wrong.

I agree. My inspector missed a lot when we moved last year. I had some terrible surprises when we moved in and lived in our "new" house for a little while.

 

[kelso1980]

I agree. My inspector missed a lot when we moved last year. I had some terrible surprises when we moved in and lived in our "new" house for a little while.[/QUOTE]

+1

 

[kelso1980]

i agree. My inspector missed a lot when we moved last year. I had some terrible surprises when we moved in and lived in our "new" house for a little while.

+1

 

[captain7359]

Be careful if he's a bone head and writing stuff like this up. You don't want to be repairing a bunch of bogus stuff if the guy is a moron or if he's been asked by the buyer to nitpick stuff hoping for a price reduction. If he comes up with a bunch of stuff don't be afraid to get a contractor of your own to review the report and items in it, especially if they are requesting it be fixed. You can have a contractor of your own do the repairs if they are legit, so their contractor doesn't inflate the prices.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I'm trying to get a hold of the guy because, now that I have the report, I don't think it is what he's refering to. It makes reference to the furnace vent pipe, as it relates to the chimney, which is on the other side of the house. I'll have my guy check it out, and I'll confirm that the above pipe is NOT the one in question.

The seller was satisfied with the inspection, an really only gave me a short list of some nickle and dime stuff that won't equate to anything off of our agreement

Bottom line, it's an old house. I'm confident, as I've been in and around this house, for 40+ years. IMO, there's ALWAYS something wrong with an 80 yr old house. But, if you want the charm, you deal with it. The inspection really just lets the buyer know, there's nothing major. Roof, foundation, furnace....etc.

My realtor was relieved and said it was one of the easiest inspections she's had yet.