Bob Minchin wrote:
Frank Mulvenny wrote:

I want to get a pipe that runs up one of the walls in my flat
removed, as I think it is no longer in use. It looks to my untrained
eye like lead - meaning presumably it's at least less likely to be
in use. Does anyone know if there's a way to tell whether there's
any water going through it without cutting into it? I've attached a
link to a picture, below for anyone who wants to hazard a guess as
to what it's made out of.

http://www.qwirtytqwr.myby.co.uk/pipe/

If it is lead, then the surface will be very soft and easy to
scratch. If you had to work hard at getting it as bright as in your
photos,then I suspect it might be galvanised steel.


Hmm, it was fairly easy, and the metal does seem soft, although I dont know
if it's 'as soft as lead'.
I wonder if there's a chemical test you can do with household materials...

If it is in a flat then it could be serving somone else above or
below yours?

Yep, it's definately not supplying my flat, as I have a copper pipe coming
in elsewhere.


Can you get to one end or a tee junction to see if it has been
connected with a wiped joint or a screw thread?

Ah... I could try and find the end of the other pipe that's also beside this
one and terminates at some point between the ceiling and the floor - more
sawing'll be needed though.