I have a flat roof on the back of my house.Every time it gets cold(below 20degrees) I have been getting a leak in two parts of the house.I finally cut a hole in one of the areas and found the drain pipe runs horizontally through the ceiling.In the one area the pipe is coming down from the roof to an elbow that seems to be leaking from the bottom and top of the joint.I have read about marine epoxy and epoxy putty but I would rather have a permanent fix.This is 4" pipe that appears to be glued.What is the best way to cut it out when there is not much space to work in?Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mike in the U.P. of Michigan.

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Originally Posted by mlhaanela

I have a flat roof on the back of my house.Every time it gets cold(below 20degrees) I have been getting a leak in two parts of the house.I finally cut a hole in one of the areas and found the drain pipe runs horizontally through the ceiling.In the one area the pipe is coming down from the roof to an elbow that seems to be leaking from the bottom and top of the joint.I have read about marine epoxy and epoxy putty but i would rather have a permanent fix.This is 4" pipe that appears to be glued.What is the best way to cut it out when there is not much space to work in?Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mike in the U.P. of Michigan.

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Hey Mike,
The only way would be to cut out and replace the elbo. You may use a plastic elobo, ( you didn't let me know if it was PVC or ABS.) You may prime and glue one end of the elbo and then glue in a short piece to meet up with the cut and connect with a shielded coupling,(see image). Good luck, Tom

When it gets cold?

That's when you see leaks?

Is the roofline insulated?or is the heat causing the ?snow? On the roof to melt and allowing the water to flow into the drain?

If so,has the drain seal been compromised perhaps by the cold(contraction)?

And where is this other leak?Is it in a bend or coupler in the run of the drain pipe?

Make sure that it is in fact the pipe leaking and not the roof. I've seen someone replace "leaky" drain piping when water was actually leaking from the roof about ten feet away from the roof drain and running down to the drain, around the bottom of the drain sump, down the vertical piece of pipe, and then pooling around the top no-hub band and dripping from the bottom of the sweep. This appeared to him that the sweep elbow was leaking when it really wasn't. Just something I thought you should know... Also If snow is melting on the roof when it is 20 degrees outside hot air from a heater could be escaping through a small hole or crack in the roof and melting the snow causing it to leak back through the hole or crack.

Your roof drain could be sweatiing. You might try insulating it if its not all ready.

Hi Texas twister and welcome to The Plumbing Page at AMHD. You're responding to a 5 year old dead threads Please check the date before you post. Thanks
Good advice! We thank you for the input. Regards Tom