How to remove metal tubes on the wall?

[k712]

Hi! 

TL:DR I want to get rid of the metal tubes. What are they? Can I get rid of them? How?

There are six of these metal tubes about evenly spaced on one wall of the kitchen (rendered brick that backs onto the loungeroom and a bedroom). I had originally thought they were wooden dowls or something. Some people have suggested they may have been used for decoration or preparation for shelving. I have had several tradies over for other jobs and quotes and so far, but none of them have been able to identify what they are. To my knowledge, there shouldn't be any plumbing or electrical going through there since they are far from the nearest sink and the power points and light switches and I can't think of anything else they could be for.

The other day, going under the assumption that they were just wood, I tried to remove one (the one that stops abruptly above the loungeroom door frame). The lower part easily separated from the wall with a chisel and didn't cause any problems. I then tried to chip off a little bit since the material itself was harder than I had anticipated and I wanted a closer look. That's when I scrapped of some of the (many layers of) paint to find blackened metal underneath. Then I got a magnet and stuck it to each of them (I don't know why I didn’t think to do it earlier) - they are all magnetic.

I had a look online to see what they could possibly be made of and for, but came up empty. My best guess is that they are cast iron (given the tarnish is black and powdery), but again I cannot figure out what their purpose could be. Two of them end very abruptly and the others seem to lead into the wall. Does anyone have any ideas? One source claims they might be weep holes, but I don't think that's the case since, as opposed to weep holes, they are fully enclosed (no openings on the ends) and the wall is an internal rendered brick wall - not an external cavity wall.

I would like to eventually have some overhead storage put in (there is currently very little storage in the kitchen), so it probably isn't that big of a deal for the three above the kitchen bench if I go with open backed cupboards, but I would like to remove the other three at some point to put shelves up. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do?

Thank you

Tubes on kitchen wall above the door to the lounge roomTubes on kitchen wall backing onto bedroomClose up of the one above the door 2 of 3Close up of the one above the door 3 of 3

Close up of the one above the door 1 of 3Tube to the immediate left of the door (leading into wall?)

[k712]

Hi @JacobZ! 

I am on the ground floor, but there is no one above me. It is a unique building in my strata complex where the other units are either townhouses or part of the apartment blocks. My unit is independent of the others - I don't directly share walls with anyone since they all back onto common property (either the main walkway, the carpark or neighbouring courtyards) rather than sharing walls with another unit (please refer to the diagram below). 

The spacing of the metal thingies is fairly consistent but not exactly the same (approximately 1m to 1.5m?). I don't have the exact measurements right now, but I can update this post once I have measured them if that would help.  

Based on what I discovered yesterday, even with them being bolted into the I-beams in the ceiling, I don't think they help with providing any structural support (again, they are just kind of sitting on the walls in the kitchen and can just be pried off with a chisel and minimum effort since most of what is holding them there is the numerous layers of paint). If I were to cut through them just below the cornice, there would still be about 50cm or so still attached in the ceiling cavity and behind the cornice. I don't think it would make that much difference to the structural integrity of the beams or the roof. 

I will wait until I hear back from the others to see what they think with this new information, so I won't attempt to remove them just yet. But, in terms of cutting through the metal in line with the cornice, what tool would you recommend for the job? 

Thank you for your insight  

House diagram (borders colour coded)

[JacobZ]

Hi @k712,

I really can't see any reason you couldn't remove them.

I'd suggest using this Trojan 300mm Mini Hack Saw to cut them flush with the cornice.

You should be able to cut around 95% through them, then bend them so they snap off.

You can then patch up any knicks or scratches and paint.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[TedBear]

Thanks for those photos of the inside of the ceiling. My assessment of what the conduits are is based on my younger days as a telecommunications tech. I suggest cutting them off with a multi-tool, fitted with a metal cutting blade. That will allow you cut right up where they go through into the cornices. Alternatively, if you dislodge them from the wall perhaps you may be able to pull them down through the cornices which would be better.

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @k712 

Might have been hanging supports somewhere along the line? Or as @TedBear suggests some old school conduits. I would chop them off, possibly with a small grinder and then patch the areas disturbed. Havning so many of them makes me think there once was a purpose. You know your place better then others so tie downs, conduit runs, multiple power outlets/phone outlets all cold be on the list. Be cautious on the first one and investiage inside once cut is about all i can think of.

Dave

[k712]

Hi Everyone!

Update: I have purchased the Trojan 300mm Mini Hack Saw and attempted to remove the metal thingies starting with the one above the lounge room door. The hack saw is a good idea in theory, but is nowhere near sharp / strong enough to cut through. It just looks like it's scratching away the rust from the metal more than anything. I was wondering if anyone would have recommendations for some other kind of tool I could use instead. I think I may need to use a power tool for this job?

Using the Bunnings app, I got suggestions for rotary saws and angle grinders to use. I’m not sure what to go with though, especially since it needs to be powerful enough to cut through metal but it also needs to be precise and get quite close to the wall. Does anyone have any opinions / insights about the below? Or have any other recommendations?

- Ozito 76.2mm (3”) Air Cut Off Tool 

- Ozito 42 Piece 170W Rotary Tool Kit 

- Ryobi Essential Rotary Tool RRT090 

- Ryobi Airwave Reciprocating Saw 

Alternatively, is it possible to hire a tool from Bunnings to use for a day or something to get this done (rather than buying something I'll probably only use once or twice)?

Thank you

[MitchellMc]

If they are hollow, you should be able to cut through them with a multi tool and metal cutting blade, @k712. If they are solid, then you'd need to go for an angle grinder. Rotary tools can also be used with a small grinding disk, but this will take some time to get through the bars, especially if they are solid.

Mitchell