Bird Doo Head
New Member
Plumbing's been on my mind al lot these days, with projects. So, I've been here for hours on end, studying and asking. An often forgotten plumbing question popped into my head today (when I bashed my noggin' on it again!)
In my basement is a Mystery Valve. It sticks out of the wall, at about a 45 degree angle and is about 4 feet above the slab. Outside of that wall it is my driveway (3 or so feet higher than this valve). The wheel is stamped "SMITH" and has the number 4292 cast into it. It's about 8 1/2" in diameter. I don't know if this is a clue or not, but the house above it is about 100 years old and the basement was added in the early 50's (I think).
The sleeve is a piece of 2" BIPS and the stem exits through an ips cap with a hole drilled into it for the stem. If the cap is off, I can see, with a light quite a distance, but nothing much to see. There is no smell with the cap off & there's no packing around the stem.
About 20 years ago, I tried to turn it until my Guardian Angel smacked me in the head and told me not to poke a sleeping bear. I can't imagine what it is. Obviously, this is not a critical issue, I'm just curious if any of you know what this valve is for.
Thanks!
Paul
In my basement is a Mystery Valve. It sticks out of the wall, at about a 45 degree angle and is about 4 feet above the slab. Outside of that wall it is my driveway (3 or so feet higher than this valve). The wheel is stamped "SMITH" and has the number 4292 cast into it. It's about 8 1/2" in diameter. I don't know if this is a clue or not, but the house above it is about 100 years old and the basement was added in the early 50's (I think).
The sleeve is a piece of 2" BIPS and the stem exits through an ips cap with a hole drilled into it for the stem. If the cap is off, I can see, with a light quite a distance, but nothing much to see. There is no smell with the cap off & there's no packing around the stem.
About 20 years ago, I tried to turn it until my Guardian Angel smacked me in the head and told me not to poke a sleeping bear. I can't imagine what it is. Obviously, this is not a critical issue, I'm just curious if any of you know what this valve is for.
Thanks!
Paul