# What the heck is this (picture included) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 25, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121 "2025-06-25T14:51:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/1 "2025-06-25T14:51:33Z")
Never seen anything like it. We bought a house. 5 years old. There are three of these pipes that are not quite coming out of the wall. Two inside, one outside. Two of them are not far from a gas stove. One is outside on the patio. The house has a radon system. Two 3" PVC go into the concrete mech floor in the basement, and then exit out side. There is some sort of blower involved with all that. I wonder if these smaller pipes are for the radon system. Perhaps the gas stove? Little help please. The house is 5 years old. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/2x3xFCv.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/guKjdzU) ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/2 "2025-06-25T14:56:04Z")
No facts to offer, only speculation. Could it be part of a built-in vacuum cleaner system? It looks like there was a faceplate once that is now missing, that’s where you would have “plugged in” the vacuum hose. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen one in person, once or twice on TV back in the day. I also don’t know if anyone is still building those into houses. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/3 "2025-06-25T14:57:35Z")
Interesting guess. But no, that’s not it. You’d have more hose connections. There are only two inside about 6 feet from each other. And one on the porch. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/4 "2025-06-25T15:11:03Z")
Unused conduit for some purpose (data / telephone / audio)? Have you tried snaking them out, and seeing where the other end is? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/5 "2025-06-25T15:28:42Z")
Weird conduit. It’s like that flex dryer hose. But it’s only about 1.5 inches. It has/had to be use for air I think. Thinking air supply for gas stove, but that would be a stupid way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/6 "2025-06-25T15:34:21Z")
Maybe it’s a communication device… [![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/HHG5D9/the-homacoustic-speaking-tube-this-model-had-both-mouthpiece-and-earpiece-HHG5D9.jpg) ](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/HHG5D9/the-homacoustic-speaking-tube-this-model-had-both-mouthpiece-and-earpiece-HHG5D9.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/7 "2025-06-25T16:26:49Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > The house is 5 years old. Have you tried reaching out to the previous owners or even the builder? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/8 "2025-06-25T17:08:23Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Unused conduit for some purpose (data / telephone / audio)? > Have you tried snaking them out, and seeing where the other end is? This seems the most likely answer. You need to figure out where the other ends are. When we built our previous house we had a conduit run from the basement into the attic above the second floor for future-proofing. Ended up using it quite a lot over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/9 "2025-06-25T17:15:40Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Weird conduit. It’s like that flex dryer hose. But it’s only about 1.5 inches. It has/had to be use for air I think. If it’s what I think it is, it’s called electrical non-metallic tubing (ENT). > **[Everything You Need to Know About ENT Conduit: A Comprehensive Guide](https://www.ledestube.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ent-conduit-a-comprehensive-guide/)** > > Need the best pipe for project? Discover why ENT conduit is the top choice for durability, flexibility, and code compliance. Click to explore the expert guide! ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/10 "2025-06-25T17:24:46Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Weird conduit. It’s like that flex dryer hose. Weird flex but OK. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/11 "2025-06-25T17:36:52Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Have you tried reaching out to the previous owners or even the builder? Or asking a neighbor? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/12 "2025-06-25T17:37:04Z")
I’ll look closer. Huh. Yup, that’s what it appears to be (covered in paint and drywall texture. I may just cover it up. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/13 "2025-06-25T17:42:49Z")
Maybe it’s set up for a natural gas grill? Do you have central AC? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/14 "2025-06-25T17:46:36Z")
You can’t do that without figuring out where it goes to. Leaving us hanging would transgress the unwritten SDMB law! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/15 "2025-06-25T17:58:58Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Maybe it’s set up for a natural gas grill? > > Do you have central AC? This is a good guess, my cousin has a conduit from his kitchen to his deck because his condo doesn’t allow propane tanks. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/16 "2025-06-25T18:03:39Z")
So, 1 outside and 2 inside? Looks like a habitrail to allow critters easy access to your house. Don’t worry - shouldn’t fit anything much larger than a rat. And you are used to bears and mountain lions and such. ---
**Author:** ![bodangus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/17 "2025-06-25T18:31:01Z")
Borrow a shop vac and set it up to blow air. Use it to blow air into one of the open conduits. Then check the others and the breaker panel to see where the air comes out. ---
**Author:** ![J.1.3235](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/db5fbb/32.png) [@J.1.3235](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J.1.3235)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/18 "2025-06-25T22:43:19Z")
It may be a sleeve for cable or Cat 5/6 wire. There is a frame around the duct with the mounting pattern of an electrical device. Take a look in the basement ceiling for the other end(s) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/19 "2025-06-25T23:46:16Z")
Interesting idea, but the house is only 5 year old. Nobody uses that anymore, and why have one right over the fireplace. It’s something else. And I discovered another one outside on the porch. About 4 feet below the other one on the porch. It’s in a water proof cover that you find for exterior outlets. So a total now of 4. Hmmm. Not more than 25 feet from each other. I took a lighter and checked the air flow (flame moves) nothing. Next I need to take my leaf blower (don’t hate me I don’t do it untill 6am 🙂 ) and see if I get anything. But alas, I am here on my own, that would be a two person job unless I set up some sort of testing equipment. My dear wife is at the house we are selling. I’m at the new place. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121/20 "2025-06-25T23:53:03Z")
Have you checked to see if any of this conduit runs to the electrical panel? It may be future proofing for 220v outlets. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-this-picture-included/1020121.md?page=2)