skip to main content

Home Repair Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Weird Pipe in Bathroom Wall?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

We bought a house about a year ago, and have just about finished remodeling the master bathroom. But we’re in a bit of a design dilemma with this weird pipe that we uncovered in the wall. The previous owners had it covered up with a makeshift shelf, but having a shelf next to the toilet seems a bit odd to us. Anyone have any ideas on how to cover it up, or at least hide it?

What it looks like now:

The shelf situation before:

Featured Answer

ci_lantro

5 years ago

Sewer clean out, I think.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

Alec Dale
Original Author
5 years ago
@ci_lantro That’s what we were thinking. Luckily it doesn’t smell. Not sure what to do with it though as it’s a pretty solid pipe
Related Discussions
Weird Smell in Bathroom
Q
Comments (10)
Maybe mildew/damp smell from the concrete floors? If you had an especially wet winter maybe the concrete is wicking moisture? Here is an article that might have an explanation and solution. Also, I once had a mouse build a nest in the insulation of my fiberglass shower, but it entered from the crawlspace under the house. That might be impossible with a concrete floor, unless there could be access another way. It was a foul smell though, not weird...mouse urine from the nest - ugh! http://www.instructables.com/community/How-can-I-get-rid-of-the-smell-of-damp-concrete-in/
...See More
Help identify old style bathroom faucet (all pipes come out)
Q
Comments (0)
My condo was built in 1987 and I can't for life of me find replacement fixtures. My tub/shower has the following: 1 hot/1 cold pipe coming out. These are attached to the typical tub knobs but they are connected, there is a central shower pipe that goes back into the wall (and comes out on top shower head). This pipe is dead center in between the 2 knobs and its fixed. This is different because typically what I see is that the shower/tub switch is somewhere inside the wall but mine is external on the faucet and then it goes back into wall. Now typically these would have a free hose type shower where the water is diverted at the bath faucet but mine is hard wired to go straight back into the wall. Is there any hope in finding replacement hardware or do I need to re-plumb my bathroom? Any places online that might sell this hardware? What's it called? And I'm not interested in repairing seals, this hardware is plain ugly. Thank you for help
...See More
Weird Mirror and Lighting in old bathroom - not sure what to do
Q
Comments (1)
Honestly, you are putting way to much into a space you will have to return back to OG when you move out. As far as the paint goes you get a color match done heck even ask the LL what color it was for touch-ups or something. Im not sure why you need to change it, and you are getting into stuff that is not really "quick rental fix" I could tell you a lot about how to do it but I really am wondering why you would want to put this much into changing 2 lights and a mirror, I think the mirror is really cute, fits the space Now you can buy plain frosted glass to put in place of that glass that is on the current light fixtures, upgrade the light bulbs and that would be a good start.
...See More
Basement bathroom with small shower and weird layout
Q
Comments (8)
It looks like you don’t need it to be an en-suite, is that right? Then your idea to seal up that door and move the vanity over makes sense. And you’d like a 5’ long shower? That’s a nice size, and room for ledges or a shallow bench to hold shampoo and soap. Is there anything preventing taking out the dropped ceiling in the shower? Where are the controls and the shower head right now? If the controls can be on the wall under the vent, and the showerhead at the back (on the short wall), that would be nice.
...See More
ci_lantro
5 years ago
It's not supposed to smell! It would be worth $2-300 to me to have it gone so I would call a plumber. I would remove the baseboard and paneling and then call the plumber. They should be able to open up the wall and cut the fitting off , adapt to PVC and get it square with the wall and install an inconspicuous cover.

Or maybe even have the plug on the exterior of the house (if the bathroom is on the ground floor which it probably isn't.)
Sammy
5 years ago
Does it have a proper cover? It kind of looks like something was just stuffed in there. If that’s the case, then it requires attention. :)
Alec Dale
Original Author
5 years ago
@ci_lantro Hm okay, good idea good idea.

The bathroom is on the ground floor, if that changes anything
Alec Dale
Original Author
5 years ago
@Sammy No it doesn’t. The previous owner nailed two pieces of wood over it, and had toilet paper stuff into it for some reason. We just assumed it was a pipe to nothing after they renovated the bathroom the first time. But it may be worth calling a plumber at this point
cat_ky
5 years ago
I would certainly want to make sure. You dont need sewer gas coming in. You say it doesnt smell, so it could be disconnected, but, then it should have been removed. Have it checked out. Much better to be safe than sorry. The little shelf was probably a cover up to sell the house.
ci_lantro
5 years ago
Might have been an old sink drain except that seems an odd place for a bathroom sink. Any reason to think this room might have been the kitchen originally?

May well be an abandoned line.

Thinking out loud here....the pipe almost had to go through the wall to the exterior, didn't it? Because it is sitting right over the foundation?
DavidR
5 years ago
From the looks of it, it almost has to be a waste pipe. It looks like maybe 2-3" internal diameter. That'd be too small for a wall mounted toilet, but way larger than I'd expect for a sink.

Cleanout seems like the most reasonable guess, though I don't recall ever seeing one in a bathroom of an old house. I wonder if there's an abandoned soil stack going up through that wall.

It's a puzzle for sure.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
It like a stack to me that is no longer in use but you will need to open up the wall to tell for sure and I am wondering why you didn’ t do that in the beginning of the reno since now you have to deal with a bit more mess.
ci_lantro
5 years ago
Maybe a drain for a washing machine once upon a time?

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Small-Bathroom Secret: Free Up Space With a Wall-Mounted Sink

By Rachel Grace

Make a tiny bath or powder room feel more spacious by swapping a clunky vanity for a pared-down basin off the floor

BATHROOM DESIGN The Glass Bathroom Wall: Love It or Lose It?

By Shawn Gauthier

There's no question that a glass wall makes a bathroom feel more open. Are they private enough for you?

REMODELING GUIDES Bathroom Workbook: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost?

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what features to expect for $3,000 to $100,000-plus, to help you plan your bathroom remodel

REMODELING GUIDES 11 Reasons to Love Wall-to-Wall Carpeting Again

By Judith Taylor Designs

Is it time to kick the hard stuff? Your feet, wallet and downstairs neighbors may be nodding

BATHROOM DESIGN Dream Bathroom to Your Bathroom: Translate the Look

By Laura Gaskill

You don't need a major bathroom makeover to get that designer look — minor accents and tweaks can convey luxe style

BATHROOM DESIGN Sink Pipes Worth Seeing

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

Decorative Options Let You Get Creative With Those Fixtures Under the Sink

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Get a Recessed or Wall-Mounted Medicine Cabinet?

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right bathroom medicine cabinet and get it installed

BATHROOM DESIGN Trending Now: The 20 Most Popular New Bathrooms of 2017

By Becky Harris

Smart storage, warm finishes, clear glass, tiled walls and other favorite bath details grew in popularity this year

BATHROOM DESIGN 8 Clever and Creative Ways With Small Bathrooms

By The Inman Company

Take the focus off size with a mural, an alternative layout, bold wall coverings and other eye-catching design details

BATHROOM SINKS Design Your Own Faucets With Copper Pipe

Tap into the trend of faucets crafted from plumbers’ piping, and add a warm industrial touch to your kitchen or bath

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Exterior Makeover Help Needed

15

Sliding glass doors leaking

16

Any idea which shingle this is?

5

Electrical requirements for gas to electric conversion of appliances?

1

Window leak, musty smell?

20