2

We live in a 1920s twin house. In our attic room, we have a light fixture that was an original turn and light gas lamp. I would like to remove this fixture. I have opened the switch on the fixture and no gas was detected with a sniffer. We also have had our gas lines rerun from the entry point to our furnace and hot water heater which are the only things on gas now. But I cannot find a terminus from the light fixture in the basement where this run might have been to be able to see with my own eyes that it is disconnected. Both houses have or have had gas at some point. These houses were always twins so this is not a large house that was split. The common wall is brick. Our basement is unfinished so I know what comes down there.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the risks or checks that should be done to remove it? I know I’ve read things in cities where a fixture could be run inadvertently in between units but I doubt that is true here.

Maybe not so sure that I want to cut this fixture off without thinking it through.

Nate
  • 21
  • 1

1 Answers1

1

Just remove the fixture by unscrewing the pipe and capping it using pipe sealant.

Reasoning: There could be a hidden tap to a dormant line, perhaps closed off by a valve. If you cap it, it doesn’t matter if there’s some other gas source on the line, e.g., the twin. Given your stipulations, that’s pretty remote, but who knows what some misguided handyman may have done. It’s something that I try to consider, given my own early missteps.

What can go wrong: You might break the pipe end off where it threads into a fitting in the wall. Just plug the hole with crumpled foil and 5 min epoxy.

(IMHO, The old gas light fixtures are details that express the personality of a house. I would look for a way to save it and incorporate it into the decor. I live in a 1890’s Victorian and have taken pains to undo many of the fad “improvements” made over 130 years. But it’s your house, not mine!)

MadMonty
  • 2,341
  • 2
  • 19