What is this lead plumbed in? box (fireplace)

[Hora]

It's a very heavy looking lead plumbed in(?) box behind the fireplace. There used to be a 70/80's gas fire in front of it.

I don't want to start removing it if it's plumbed into the mains. However running a tap doesn't make a noise of water flowing through it.

Any ideas gratefully received.

 

[Rob Foster]

It's a very heavy looking lead plumbed in(?) box behind the fireplace. There used to be a 70/80's gas fire in front of it.

I don't want to start removing it if it's plumbed into the mains. However running a tap doesn't make a noise of water flowing through it.

Any ideas gratefully received.

View attachment 38319

picture helps chking

 

[firemant]

It looks like a solid fuel back boiler. Although I have never seen that pattern.
What is your current heat and HW set up. A pic of the airing cupboard would help to confirm that it is dead

 

[Rob Foster]

It might well be dead and dis connected BUT may still contain water...be carefull they
can get a bit frisky if you where to put a stove or open fire in without removing..cash it in at the local scrap man ...I would
centralheatking

 

[Last Plumber]

It is a Back Boiler. As above, what is your Hot Water provided by?

 

[firemant]

It looks like a solid fuel back boiler. Although I have never seen that pattern.
What is your current heat and HW set up. A pic of the airing cupboard would help to confirm that it is dead

When I said "dead", I meant not connected. But, as per Rob, being dead does not guarantee empty. If I remove an old boiler of that type, I establish that it is not connected so cannot refill, and then drill a small hole - in this case in the lead tails. Have buckets, and an asssistant, ready to catch the water. You can drill at an angle to ensure the water jets in the right direction.

BTW - I cannot recall seeeing a BB plumbed in Lead, round our way it is copper or iron, and the connections on the side. I assume the boiler itself is cast iron?

 

[Scott_D]

Make sure you know where your stop tap is just in case

 

[Stigster]

picture helps chking

There is a picture linked. It's even there in your quote of the OP.

 

[Rob Foster]

There is a picture linked. It's even there in your quote of the OP.

the piccy got added by op later
chking

 

[Aire]

the piccy got added by op later
chking

If the pic was added later, why is the link to the pic at the bottom of quoted reply?

 

[Rob Foster]

If the pic was added later, why is the link to the pic at the bottom of quoted reply?

it was national hug a plumber day yesterday, guess what I got a belated hug from Trevor a long term customer today, and we had a pint in the Scotch Piper at Lydiate ...have a nice weekend centrakheatking
anyway whatever the op seems happy and might get some lolly
for that lead boy..

 

[firemant]

anyway whatever the op seems happy and might get some lolly
for that lead boy..

Surely the boiler is not Lead?
Dry firing would not be a minor problem.....,,,,,

 

[Best]

That must be ancient!

 

[richard978]

It might well be dead and dis connected BUT may still contain water...be carefull they
can get a bit frisky if you where to put a stove or open fire in without removing..cash it in at the local scrap man ...I would
centralheatking

Yes I've seen a few that have exploded sending the contents of the fire into the room. Some people drill holes in them but I think removal is the best option