I recently removed the plaster ceilings in my 1898 Victorian house in New Jersey and discovered a duct-like structure up there. It looks a bit odd, and I'm curious about what it is exactly and what it's wrapped in. Any insights would be appreciated! Also, I'm aware of the knob and tube wiring and have plans to replace it soon. Here's a link to an image for reference: https://imgur.com/a/zKQIQuZ
3 Answers
Interestingly, it might just be a 'stash' from previous owners who wanted to keep something important hidden away. Sometimes in old houses, you find strange things tucked into walls or ceilings that serve no current purpose. It’s always a fun mystery to unravel!
That definitely looks like an old abandoned duct, possibly for heating or ventilation. It’s common in older homes for ducts to be left behind when renovations were done. You might want to check if it connects to anything else before making decisions on its fate.
From the looks of it, that could be asbestos insulation around a duct. It's crucial to be careful with anything that may contain asbestos, especially in an old house like yours. I'd recommend having it assessed by a professional before proceeding with renovations.