Identifying mystery pipes and cables

theoretica

My home dates from about 1900 and has an underfloor crawl space - and a complete tangle of pipes and wires strung under the floor.  Very convenient when I want to move the internet router to a different place.  But, there are a large number I can't identify and I am pretty sure many are obsolete.  Is the rusty cast iron pipe that comes in one side and goes out the other defunct or next door's water supply that will be a problem if it is damaged?  Does a pipe have electrical wires running down it?  Is that cable from an aerial long gone or the BT phoneline I just don't use?

Does anyone have suggestions for identification or guides I should look at?  I want to work out which which I can safely remove/ignore or bury in underfloor insulation without worrying about not being able to see leaks.

twopenny

My 1920's house had electirc wires in a metal tube set into the wall so it's possible that some may be in there to prevent mouse damage etc and to prevent fires. But that seems a shot in the dark.

Unless anything is getting in your way or causing problems I'd leave it alone. I'm of the 'if it works don't touch it' school of thought.

Could you post a photo? That would help a lot. Colours of wires can tell you something, also size and shape of pipes and wires.

FreeBear

An iron or steel pipe is quite likely for gas rather than water. Lead was the material of choice for a long while for water (but cast iron was sometimes used).

You can get a pen that lights up when brought close to a live electrical cable - That would identify ones that shouldn't be messed with. The shape, size, and covering will give clues about others.

General rule of thumb - If you are not certain about the function of a cable or pipe, leave well alone.

Homer_home

You're asking questions we can't possibly answer.....

How's about some pics?

theoretica

Thanks - mostly I am just annoyed by not knowing what they are, and it taking longer to find the one wanted when there are so many. Removing excess bits seems not to have been popular and some are definitely defunct.  I will try to remember to take pictures of some of the variety when I am next down there.

Homer_home

It's easier , cheaper and quicker to leave dead pipes and cables in situ , nothing to dispose of either 

Paula_Smith

The only way to know for certain is to trace them to their ends.

stragglebod

Or cut into them while holding a naked flame, and see if you cause a flood, a bright flash, or an explosion.

PS please don't