# Anyone know what this outdoor pipe is **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 1, 2018, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663 "2018-01-01T00:05:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NeoCortex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@NeoCortex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeoCortex)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/1 "2018-01-01T00:05:21Z")
This is a steel/metal pipe (maybe 1.5”) next to my pool waterfall. Can’t see anything inside it. Just moved into the home and my pool guy and electrician have no idea why its there. Anyone have a guess? I’ve only dug a couple inches down but feels solid like it had a concrete footer. [![](https://i.imgur.com/removed.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/removed.png) ---
**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/2 "2018-01-01T00:15:36Z")
Could be a support for a sun shade or something like that ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/3 "2018-01-01T00:17:11Z")
Try filling it with water … ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/4 "2018-01-01T00:18:03Z")
> [@steepone](#): > > Could be a support for a sun shade or something like that Yep, looks like something you’d drop a pool umbrella into to keep it upright. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/5 "2018-01-01T00:48:23Z")
Mount for a bird feeder or satellite TV? GaryM ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/6 "2018-01-01T00:57:27Z")
It is likely used to hold Tiki Torches, or as a tying rod for a covering. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/7 "2018-01-01T02:11:49Z")
In a yard like yours this is unlikely, but I used to have similar pipes that supported poles for a laundry line. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/8 "2018-01-01T03:20:39Z")
That looks like a really nice pool, man! If you cannot ascertain what it’s purpose is, especially in relation to the functionality of the pool’s operation, I’d cut that sucker down to ground level, cap it and bury it. Seems like an eyesore for the type of “natural setting” pool you seem to have. I’d love to see more pictures of that pool. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/9 "2018-01-01T05:02:39Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/10 "2018-01-01T05:04:11Z")
Ehhh… It’s not standard plumbing. And does look like some sort of stand for umbrella tiki torch. I do know a lot about plumbing, but nothing about pools. Try this, tape a baggie around it and see if it ‘breaths’ it may be some sort of vent, but I doubt it from the picture. ---
**Author:** ![NeoCortex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@NeoCortex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeoCortex)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/11 "2018-01-01T06:31:07Z")
I think GaryM may have nailed it with the satellite. The umbrella, volleyball net and basketball post holes are flush to the ground, plugged and closer to the deck. Thinking in “satellite” context its the same gray color as most small dishes and the mounting hardware. I know the previous owner had a dish based on the leftover wiring in the house. Also its a two story home with north/south exposure; the HOA probably wouldn’t allow a dish at the front facing south. Since most dishes have to face South they had no choice but to place it as far north on the property as possible to get a clear view over the second story and still face south. Thanks everyone! \*\*The bag over the pipe to check for venting is a great idea. I’ll tuck that advice away as that may come in handy someday. ---
**Author:** ![NeoCortex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@NeoCortex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeoCortex)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/12 "2018-01-01T06:39:38Z")
[https://imgur.com/gallery/BnID3](https://imgur.com/gallery/BnID3) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/13 "2018-01-01T08:38:28Z")
> [@NeoCortex](#): > > [https://imgur.com/gallery/BnID3](https://imgur.com/gallery/BnID3) That’s a really nice pool and back yard setup. Congrats on your new home. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/14 "2018-01-01T08:48:42Z")
So how long have pool waterfalls been a thing? I first learned that they existed a couple of weeks ago while watching [_The Edge of Seventeen_](https://youtu.be/O8l1AqB9toI?t=63). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/15 "2018-01-01T10:39:41Z")
Check Google Maps. If you’ve just moved in, there’s a good chance that whatever was in there previously–umbrella, satellite dish, etc.–is still there in their imagery. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/16 "2018-01-01T13:17:38Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Check Google Maps. If you’ve just moved in, there’s a good chance that whatever was in there previously–umbrella, satellite dish, etc.–is still there in their imagery. Excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/17 "2018-01-01T13:50:08Z")
Wow. Nothing to add, but, is the Dope a great place or what??? Just LOOK at all these clever ideas and informed comments! Where else could you tap into that?! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/18 "2018-01-01T14:34:26Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Where else could you tap into that?! There is a bar here called the White Water Tavern… ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/19 "2018-01-01T15:02:19Z")
I get to throw out my first dumb question of the new year: How is the umbrella in the foreground of the second image being held up? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663/20 "2018-01-01T15:10:42Z")
When you say that you can’t see anything down it, have you tried using a flash light or are you just looking down there in the middle of the day? Also, you could try sticking something (preferably non-conductive) in it to see how deep it is and what you feel at the bottom. If it just goes a foot or so below grade and you feel dirt or gravel, then it probably is just to hold something up. If you can’t feel the bottom, then if it were me, just out of curiosity, I’d either get a cheap scope to drop in or dig around it and see which way to bends and look into what might be in that direction. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663.md?page=2)