Curious about old oil heater chimney in basement.

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Mr. Jones

Feeling the Heat
Oct 25, 2012
265
Kennewick, Washington
Pretty sure it used to be for an old oil heater, and think the two copper lines coming out of the cement floor of the basement have something to do with what was there. Same place as the central air blower, etc. Any one know what the two copper lines are for?

Anywho, was wondering if I could use this chimeny for a pos wood stove. I'll post a pic if I need to. Thanks guys and gals.
 
Copper lines could be for refrigerant?

I would have a sweep check the chimney before I would connect anything to it. Pics will be a help for better answers.
 
Usual routine - inspect, clean, improve if necessary.
 

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Cant really see it but they both have a turn on off valve.
Anyone know what these two copper lines were for? Picture sucks, but they both come out of the cement basement floor of an early 50's house. Right next to this chimeny, that I would like to know if it's usable for a pos fireplace. Being that it's in the middle of the house, in the basement, I couldn't think of a better place for one, since heat rises.
 
What size are the pipes? Maybe they went to another building on the property? Are there pipes in the slab for radiant heat down there?

Honestly, call a local sweep to come check out they chimney and get it cleaned for the season. They can tell you if it looks OK, or if its in rough shape, much better than any of us here on the forum can. What it looks like on the inside will be more important than the outside....
 
I see that up here sa well. those probably were the old oil feed lines. No idea why two of them. But a buddies 50's house is the same. Probably 3/8in line our so. i connected a stove to my old oil Burner flue. Minus it being and 8x8 clay exterior chimney, it works just fine. I'd love to line it but not in the cards this year.

Have it looked at if your not confident. If you can access the top try and drop a trouble light down and see for yourself.

Good luck let us know how it turns out.
 
Good thinking stump. It could be oil lines if it was a buried tank somewhere. You have a supply and a return due to the type of oil pump that was utilized. The buried ones seem to always have two lines for some reason...
 
Yep, they look like oil lines to a buried tank outside the house. I have the same thing in my basement and yes 2 lines with the valves at the end is normal. My house was converted to gas before I bought it.. Home inspector noticed the lines and commented that when the tank is abandoned they don't usually remove the lines into the house. Something about not wanting to hide the fact that a buried tank once existed. In my case it was discovered that the tank had not been properly abandoned 20+ years ago and had to be done again prior to the sale. I've thought about using the chimney as well but never got around to putting a stove in the basement. Like everyone says its a good idea to have it inspected before use. Better to play it safe..
 
Yup, oil lines from an outside oil tank probably. Some systems used 1 line, others used 2 one being a return line. Had same set up in my old house.
 
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