Units outside - removing and clean up

moneysaver1978

So we "inherited" a couple of outdoor units that we'd like to clean up or remove...

Gas meter box has some kind of rust which we think was caused by the pipe above:



Any suggestions what we could do to clean this up? Any gotchas? We may consider getting a smart meter if so, would they replace the box?

Also we'd like to remove the Sky dish (we don't have Sky subscription) - this seems to be attached to this brown box. Any idea what it is. A bit wary if it is anything electrical and cabling going down the ground!

Sky

ThisIsWeird

To clean it up, I guess use a scourer as you would a dirty pan. Then paint it using something like Zinsser AllCoat using a mini foam roller - it should go straight on and look as good as new.
The satellite cable is unlikely to be wired to anything in there, but is probably just sharing the cable entrance hole into the house. Have a look, check inside too, cut cable (the correct one ..) and withdraw.

Has that pipe stopped dripping?! If not, your boiler needs attention.

casper_gutman

I tend to find plastics clean up pretty well using a non-scratch kitchen sponge scrubber (one of the white ones) and some cream cleaner. It has a mild abrasive in it but won't scratch the plastic up as much as the more heavy duty scourers. Whatever you do, don't use wire wool!

The brown box looks to me like the sort of thing used by Virgin Media (and their predecessors) for cable TV and internet connections. This seems to fit in with ThisIsWeird's idea that somebody probably just popped the satellite cable through there to use the same hole to get it into the house.

FreeBear

If the gas meter box doesn't clean up, they are fairly cheap & easy to replace. Pull the box away from the wall at the bottom, and then lift up. It should come away from the metal bracket that is fixed to the wall. £40 or so for a replacement on ebay.

Would be easier to clean and paint if it is taken off the wall...

moneysaver1978

Has that pipe stopped dripping?! If not, your boiler needs attention.

The inside of the pipe seems bone dry so I should hope so! Due to the oxidation (I had to look this up!), the pipe isn't pretty so I should clean it but any idea why the pipe end points towards the wall? I have never seen this. Also what could I do to stop any trips onto the gas box? Seems like a strange position!

The brown box looks to me like the sort of thing used by Virgin Media (and their predecessors) for cable TV and internet connections.

Sounds great, I will take the brown box and have a lookie when I get a chance.

£40 or so for a replacement on ebay.

Good shout! Perhaps if I ask for gas smart meter, I could perhaps look at getting a smaller box...

FreeBear

moneysaver1978 said:

£40 or so for a replacement on ebay.

Good shout! Perhaps if I ask for gas smart meter, I could perhaps look at getting a smaller box...

Don't quote me on this, but I think the boxes are pretty much a standard size.

ThisIsWeird

moneysaver1978 said:

The inside of the pipe seems bone dry so I should hope so! Due to the oxidation (I had to look this up!), the pipe isn't pretty so I should clean it but any idea why the pipe end points towards the wall? I have never seen this. Also what could I do to stop any trips onto the gas box? Seems like a strange position!

It'll be the safety discharge pipe from your boiler, and is directed back to the wall - or sometimes down close to the ground - so that in the vent of the safety valve being triggered, the hot water being discharged doesn't hit anyone - so a 'good thing'!

I wouldn't worry about it. If that pipe starts dripping or ejaculating, then your boiler will need attention. No damage should be caused to the box in the time it takes to effect a repair. That one looks as tho' it had been left dripping for a loooong time without being sorted. What often happens is that an isolated fault will 'blow' the valve, and even after the cause has been sorted, the valve won't re-seat properly afterwards, so continues to drip. It's quite important to sort this if it happens.

If it's dry, tho', no worries :-)

moneysaver1978

Good to know! We moved in only a couple of weeks ago and the previous owner had provided a receipt to show that the boiler was recently serviced with no issues.

But definitely will keep an eye on it in coming months!

Thank you all for your invaluable insights as always!

moneysaver1978

Quick follow up - the meter is already a smart meter! While it is a SMETS1, the brand is Secure Liberty so I am hoping for a software update later this year to upgrade it to SMETS2. In the meantime, I have asked my energy supplier if they would send out an IHD and to confirm if I need to provide reading.

Now need to compare costs of painting and buying a new box... as soon as the blasted rain goes away!

ThisIsWeird

moneysaver1978 said:

Quick follow up - the meter is already a smart meter! While it is a SMETS1, the brand is Secure Liberty so I am hoping for a software update later this year to upgrade it to SMETS2. In the meantime, I have asked my energy supplier if they would send out an IHD and to confirm if I need to provide reading.

Now need to compare costs of painting and buying a new box... as soon as the blasted rain goes away!

Presumably boxes are backless, or they'd be a sod to fit!

For the painting option, just check the price of, say, 500ml of Zinsser AllCoat in, presumably, satin, and a mini foam roller. Jobbie jobbed.

Also consider what colour would look best against the attractive buff bricks. Anthracite?