What can I do with this pipe?

Linda Hockey
by Linda Hockey
I have a pipe that runs from my basement to roof. What can I do with it without building a wall around it? Thank you!
Any ideas
  55 answers
  • Carol Carol on Jan 07, 2017

    neighborhood watch

  • If it were me, I would paint and then purchase hose clamps at the hardware store and hang stuff on it. Plants, greeting cards, whatever goes with the decor of the room it is in. Embrace the uniqueness I say! If it was in a little kids room, I would paint funny faces on it, some glow in the dark.

  • Jetta Jetta on Jan 07, 2017
    I would turn it into a square column and paint it to match the walls, or paint it a contrasting color.
  • Phil a Phil a on Jan 07, 2017

    I agree with Naomi.. Don't Hide it, Use it! This looks like cast iron and is most likely an air vent for a main plumbing drain so you can't put holes in it or you would let sewer gas into the house... There are hose clamps that you could use to hang baskets for storage or readily available cleaning supplies. Just paint the pipe to match, or contrast, the surroundings. It's definitely strong enough to hold a lot of stuff. You could also cut shelves with a slot to fit around the pipe and use as storage. Can't have too much storage, you know..

  • William William on Jan 07, 2017

    I agree with everyone! It is the vent pipe for you main sewer stack. Build around it, paint it, utilize it.

  • Linda Hockey Linda Hockey on Jan 07, 2017

    Thank you for your comments

  • Terri Wolf Terri Wolf on Jan 07, 2017

    U could either use paint or colored tape to make it look like an old Barber's pole or paint any design of your choosing! This would be the most inexpensive/easy solution

  • Anna Anna on Jan 08, 2017

    Linda, my daughter has one of those in her house too, so she wrapped the whole thing in jute rope and suddenly it is a unique decoration!

  • Jan Jan on Jan 08, 2017

    Linda, I was gonna say what Anna said...but she beat me to it! I saw a picture of a pipe like that in a French country-style kitchen wrapped in jute, it was lovely, & I thought, why did I never think of that when I had one of those to live with!

  • One8414992 One8414992 on Jan 08, 2017
    Dip the JUTE in decoupage and then apply it.....It will dry in place and not scrunch around or slip......
  • One8414992 One8414992 on Jan 08, 2017
    Or RUST it, using many of the products available........Warp it with coils holding beads....Especially shades of Turquoise and clear crystals.......Or Mosiac tile it...then grout
  • Kca11578356 Kca11578356 on Jan 08, 2017

    The jute wrap is a good idea or box it in and make it look like a column.

  • Maren Macmillan Maren Macmillan on Jan 08, 2017

    Go to a builders hardware store and purchase a pipe cover generally used for basement supports. They come in various designs like Greek columns. They wrap around and can be removed for repairs easily

  • William Rust William Rust on Jan 08, 2017

    Replacement cast-iron pipe with PVC (sand over PVC with steal wool) stained gives appearance of wood.

    At couplings of existing cast-iron is sealed with led, therefore break/cut out and use/sell Led bullets, fishing weights, windows, flashing,....etc... Scrap metal even...

    • Laura Kackman Laura Kackman on Jan 11, 2017

      I would check with building codes in your area to make sure everything meets standards. You have to be careful with sewer pipes. Don't want to end up replacing the sewer pipe. Very expensive,

  • Jane Jane on Jan 08, 2017

    I remembered this neat way to hide a hot water heater and thought it might work ...in a taller and skinnier version...for your pipe. If you painted it to match the walls, it would blend in and sort of disappear. A couple of small screws would ensure it stays in place. Here's a link to Woodshop Diaries. This girl has LOTS of great ideas and she makes everything herself. Be sure to look around at all her amazing projects.

    http://www.woodshopdiaries.com/2016/07/20/hide-ugly-water-heater/


    Good luck on covering up that pipe.

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Jan 08, 2017

    Build that wall!

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Jan 08, 2017

    Love the rope idea, but if you enclose just the pole with wood you could add hooks for hanging items of your choice (broom, dust pan, a clock, small pictures of grandchildren, family, pets, and so on). Best of luck.

  • Gra9185367 Gra9185367 on Jan 08, 2017

    Paint it out with wall color until you can box it in...

  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Jan 08, 2017

    This is most likely your stink pipe!Do you know what it is made from?If it is cast iron you will have to replace it.

  • Mary Mary on Jan 09, 2017

    As someone who works for a plumber, that pipe actually needs some work done on it (plumbing wise) before you 'decorate' it. If your galvanized pipes are rusting or are not smooth (meaning something has escape onto the outside), you are having problems that will need to be addressed before you cover it up. Otherwise, you will have to open up your covering to have it serviced. Some leakages can turn into a big sewer = backup mess if not repaired.


  • Linda Abate Linda Abate on Jan 09, 2017

    Paint is always a good solution or your could wrap it with rope or contact paper.


  • Bernadette Staal Bernadette Staal on Jan 09, 2017

    I would clean it up - use a metal brush to get any old paint of it - sand it and then paint it the same colour as the wall be hind it so that it blends in. Then I would decorate it with miniature Christmas type lights or place a large plant in front of it - or even grow a creeper up it. Really make it part of the house not an eye sore.


    Another idea just came to me .... depending on where it is. You could super glue coat hangers onto it and use it as a coat and hat stand.

  • Mar12004966 Mar12004966 on Jan 10, 2017

    after painting down pipe to match wall why not hang either pipe baskets or pipe trellis with hooks attached for storing small items.

  • Mandy Brown Mandy Brown on Jan 10, 2017

    That is your main waste pipe to your home. All the sinks, toilets, tubs, etc. to your house drain out of that pipe to either the sanitary sewer main or your septic tank. If you build a permanent structure around it and anything happens to your plumbing in the future be prepared to tear out what you just built. Actually cast iron is not bad. You don't want clay pipe. Yes, most new homes have PVC, but cast will last a long time.

  • Susanroy36 Susanroy36 on Jan 10, 2017

    I found some nice long wood at a 'box store' and I bought them in 12-foot lengths to make a faux beam. I would use that same wood to make a faux beam to box in that pipe. Pretty inexpensive and easy!

  • Cat4389428 Cat4389428 on Jan 10, 2017

    You can buy cardboard tubes at the lumber store. Split it down the middle and put it around the pipe. You will have to use thin wire to make it a cylinder again. It can be painted or wall papered to match you decor. For best results puse a primer before painting or papering. I did this in my own home to hide an ugly pipe in my bathroom.

  • Lorraine Lorraine on Jan 11, 2017

    Hollow pool noodles can be slit and wrapped around for a quick fix. the noodle could be used as a base to drape some netting and fairy lights for a quiet cozy corner. They come in many colors and are relatively cheap, easy to remove for plumbing needs and temporary if you need to service the pipe.

  • To hide but not box in, use some louvered doors to make a screen around the pipe. You can paint the louvers with your wall color or make it a feature. Plus, standard installation of louvered doors have the louvers pointing downward. If you turn them upside down so the louvers point downward to the inside, you can use S hooks to hang things on the louvers.


  • Buz Buz on Jan 11, 2017

    stick items/decorations to it with magnets. See www.sciplus.com for a good source for magnets

  • Tris Smith Tris Smith on Jan 11, 2017

    Box around it with cardboard and spray paint with faux stone. After it dries, you can add metal plant hangers using pipe strapping. Hang plants or whatever off hooks.

  • Sage Sage on Jan 11, 2017

    call plumber & resolve issues. Best way to deal with it is a screen and a couple of plants. Or make a floor mirror and lean it against it. Or paint it and use command strips to hang stuff om it - list is endless, but the plumber is right. Always maintain and repair before decorating

  • Sarah Walker Sarah Walker on Jan 11, 2017

    Definitely paint same color as the wall, Then use tubular trellis, adding plants, vines, fairy lights or whatever.

  • Nnettat Nnettat on Jan 11, 2017

    The simplest is to paint it the same color as the wall so it doesn't stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. I like Linda's idea of rope. It'll cover the ugliness of it and still make it visible enough so as to not run into it. (If anyone asks what it is, just tell them it is your dancing pole.  ) Screens, louver doors, can be a pain in so many ways. The idea of plants is a nice idea but generally these pipes are in areas with little or no light. And climbing plants, if there was enough light, would take time to grow and climb...tho the rope would give it a great traction to climb.

    As for plumbing leakage, if it is not new...leave it alone. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Though their point could be valid, it costs a pretty penny to replace. Thus, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." And if you used the rope, it would show if there ever is a leak.

    Oh. Another thing to take into consideration... does this pipe sweat? Occasionally, with this type pipe in a cold basement, it will occasionally sweat when hot water runs through it. (This would make me upset, because I really like the rope idea.)

    Good Luck!

  • Laura Laura on Jan 11, 2017

    It would make a great cat scratching post if you have a cat.

    Add some shelves & carpet.

  • Ikoyoda Ikoyoda on Jan 11, 2017

    Wrap it with ribbon or twine. You can also add hooks this way too. Then you can put anything on the hooks- coats, hats, picture frames, etc.

    • Cheryl Cheryl on Jan 14, 2017

      Yep! I just dyed cotton clothesline rope in ombre colors and wrapped a similar pole, and used those u shaped drapery hooks to hang things on it.

      OR, I'd paint it into a palm tree trunk, and add fronds at the top... :)

  • MadameRã MadameRã on Jan 12, 2017

    Paint vines all over it using a few different shade greens... Or go mad & paint different size & colour circles everywhere... Depending where it actually is, stickup with light trimming tape cling wrap all around the pipes' walls(or anywhere splashing can occur), use childrens paints mixed with some water & put in water throw balloons...& have some fun!!!

    •After it dries then give it a coat of clear spray paint to seal:))

  • Robina Lindsay Robina Lindsay on Jan 12, 2017

    Antique paint it, add gloss sealer and put hooks on it for function. Dress it up or hide it.

  • Barbara Barbara on Jan 12, 2017

    https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/76/f4/37/76f437213647d33cd81d2df7dd2483e6.jpg


    You could do something like this with old pallets stain the boards different colors make a frame with 2x2 or 2x4 and cut the boards to fit.

  • Nm42990329 Nm42990329 on Jan 12, 2017

    buy a cover for an outside post on a poarch. they also have covers for supports for refinishing basements. or take a corse rope and wind it from floor to ceiling and then paint it with clear or opaque paint

    Grampa

    • Lyla Mclean Lyla Mclean on Jan 12, 2017

      What a super idea. I was going to suggest buying a skinny white cupboard and taking the back off and the top. That way there would be access to the pipe if needed. Your idea is way better.


  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Jan 12, 2017

    That is most likely the soil stack for you toilet. Don't do anything too permanent since you might need to use it one day.

    http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-soil-stack.htm


  • Johnchip Johnchip on Jan 13, 2017
    1. You can mask it all you like but you will still be looking at a sewage pipe unless you box it in. It will take about $25 of material and a day of simple work.
  • Kat964884 Kat964884 on Jan 13, 2017

    I agree the easiest and cheapest way to cover that pipe is to paint it the same color as the wall

  • Cheryl Cheryl on Jan 13, 2017

    Piece of foam board or plywood cut to size to fit diagonally from floor to ceiling. Paint to match. I had a similar issue, used long piece of heavy cardboard packaging from a delivery. worked fine.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jan 14, 2017

    Where in the house is it,in the laundry room? If there is enough space for book case with movable shelves that you can put on casters to move if need be and place it in front of it then a small door or whatever size you need on other side connect to bookcase or to wall if to large ad heavy or you could have 2 doors like a closet door. This way it is still usable space but can be moved out of way.then you have storage for whatever you need to use in that room .

  • Gerda Bals Gerda Bals on Jan 16, 2017

    This is a sewer line so be very careful. It is made of clay and can break and make sure that you don't put any type of whole in it. That pipe, from what I have seen, is used for taking your wastewater and sewage out of your house. Be very careful.

    • Judi1 Judi1 on Feb 16, 2017

      It looks like a cast iron waste stack that vents sewer gas to the outside. It doesn't carry sewage.

  • Claude Claude on Feb 02, 2017

    Paint it the color of the wall and forget about it. If you ever need access in a hurry, you need it open. Some of the other ideas are creative...

  • Pat Brinkley Spencer Pat Brinkley Spencer on Feb 02, 2017

    paint it white and stripes like a barber shop pole, using tape. Or put a gathered skirt on it and paint a face above it, just for fun if it's a separate laundry room.

  • Robby Treichel Robby Treichel on Feb 04, 2017

    There is only one suggestion here that makes any good sense, because you said you don't want to box it in...Paint it the same color as your wall. And don't hang anything from it, because as others have stated, it looks like a sewage pipe and you don't want to risk any stress on it for fear of breaking!

  • Don Don on Feb 06, 2017

    paint it a dark brown and wrap plastic plants around it like ivy or some climbing plant or maybe put fake leaves at the top and a couple of fake coconuts for a palm tree. If you ever had to get access to it simple pull the fake plants off and you got sewage pipage.

    Or, just paint it the same color as the wall....wouldn't to go all the way around just the line of site areas....

  • Pam Fitch Pam Fitch on Feb 11, 2017

    Look for one of the large pool noodles , cut it up the side and slide over it. a cheap fix to hid a ugly pipe. Use the spray paint made for plastic would be a cheap fix also. However if can make a free standing box without a back side, you could hang that mop standing beside it. LOL good luck hope you figure something out..


  • Touchedpainter Touchedpainter on Feb 15, 2017

    I like the whimsy suggestions a lot. Get a strip of cloth like the skirt idea & gather it at the top & let hang to the floor. The painted brown idea with the faux plants is great "Feng Shui" (Google it). Michael's has great inexpensive swags for the different seasons/holidays that are really long. May need 2 to hang/swag the full length of the pipe. Now I wish I had a pipe to hide.

  • Norma Norma on Feb 18, 2017

    I just had mine replaced!! The plumber (my brother!) Replaced it all with pvc pipe. It looks much better, but still thinking about boxing it in.

  • Oberlinmom Oberlinmom on Apr 08, 2019

    That age old "look out for paint with lead in it" your stack would be a perfect spot for paint that old. Getting enough material to wrap that pipe completely could end up costing quite a bit. I was in a DIY big store the other day and saw pipe wrap column cover. It was nothing I'd ever seen before. It's another option. Like many have said you want to be sure that what ever you use to cover it is easy to remove/replace if he need arises. Near the base of this, in the basement there maybe a clean out make sure that can be reached too.

  • Decor Home Ideas Decor Home Ideas on Apr 09, 2019

    Conceal it