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What's buried here?

pixelpusher
pixelpusher Member Posts: 15
edited July 2023 in THE MAIN WALL
Hi all - hoping you may be able to help me identify what might be in my hard. This is in the front of our yard a few feet from the street and right next to our driveway. I'm worried it might be a buried oil tank? Any insight is helpful!


Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,421
    More likely than not a water shutoff -- of which only the handwheel is still visible in thhe accumulated gunk.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    PC7060Mad Dog_2bburdrick in Alaska
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,359
    edited July 2023
    Agree, I'd call a trouble report into the water utility so they can clean out and service the valve to make sure it works

    Picture of the lid top would be useful. I'd expect the see markings
    MarjPinard
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 1,414
    Hello @pixelpusher,
    I'd gently clean out under the handle, as far as you can to see how far down the valve is. Depending where you are a water valve may be farther down than you can easily dig. Natural Gas may only be a down foot or two.
    *** Don't turn it, if it starts to leak YOU may be paying for the excavation and repair !!!
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • pixelpusher
    pixelpusher Member Posts: 15
    Here's a photo of the lid and a pipe that's next to it. Would much rather it be a water valve than an oil tank 😅


  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,062
    Could be an oil tank valve handle. I have seen gate valves on oil lines before. Have you opened up the pipe plug and put a 10' stick in that pipe to see if it goes to an oil tank?

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    EBEBRATT-EdPC7060Gilgo
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,359
    There’s a mark cast into the top on left side.  Clean the grass away and take another pic pls 
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,359
    Looks like a old CI sewer cleanup next to it.
  • dko
    dko Member Posts: 668
    Saaco cast iron.. vintage stuff! early 1900s
    100 year old valve.. I would not disturb it
    PC7060
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,222
    edited July 2023
    I am guessing oil tank as well. Agree with @EdTheHeaterMan
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
    What part of the country is this? cold climate or warm? could be water. In San Diego when I lived there, the water boxes where actually in the sidewalk. One could easily shut off someone else's water if they were pissed at them.
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

    Robomoo
  • Alan Welch
    Alan Welch Member Posts: 270
    Underground oil tanks are generally located alongside the house. My guess would be water or gas.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,243
    Do you or did you have oil in the house?

    There is often evidence of 1 or 2 oil lines coming thru the wall. Maybe iron pipe or copper tubing.
  • Ken Johnson
    Ken Johnson Member Posts: 29
    If your region has 'OneCall', consider requesting that they come out and mark the area around the lid.
    CLamb
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,298
    Alan Welch said:

    Underground oil tanks are generally located alongside the house. My guess would be water or gas.

    Around here, some buried tanks had long pipes going to a fill box near the sidewalk. Once in a while I still see one.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting

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