I connected a pvc femaile adapter to a cast iron screwed male sewer connection. The lead and oakum joint is leaking. Ow do I repair it?

Pry out the old lead and oakum and then pack in new oakum to at least 1" in depth (tamp it in really hard, because it is the oakum, not the lead that seals the joint) and then pack lead wool in on top of the oakum.

Growler gave you instructions on running a new joint. Here's another option. Before we tear out a lead joint and replace it we recaulk using a inside and outside caulking irons, (see image). Since this is a drainage pipe with no pressure most of the time recaulking the lead joint will restore its integrity.
However if you're going to remove the lead and oakum here's how to go about it.
To remove a poured lead and oakum joint take a 3/8" drill bit and drill a few holes down past the lead and into the oakum.. Push a screwdriver under the lead ring and lever it up. Once it's free you can began to peel the lead ring out. Now pick out the oakum and you can pull the joint apart and follow Growlers instruction. Good luck, Tom

I recently repaired a leak in a joint between a horizontal sink drain pipe (galvanized) and the iron standing pipe. The horizontal pipe has a small diameter than the iron socket, and there was small drippy kind of leak. I used a screw driver and a knitting needle to pry out the lead wool that had been packed into the joint (not melted) and then to remove what was left of the oakum. I let it dry out a day or so, then repacked with oakum... two complete revolutions around the pipe... and packed it with the screw driver and the "head" of the knitting needle. Then I packed in a rope of lead wool, and tamped it down until it was tight and would compress no more. And I'm leaving it like that... no melting or pouring. It is very tight.

I did not fill the entire joint... there's a good inch or more of space left, and no more leak.

I think I probably could or should have used more oakum, but I don't see any point in stuffing the whole joint with it. I like having the "set back"... I imagine it holds the lead packing better than if it was packed to the rim of the joint. Time will tell.

Aside from the usual vigorous post-plumbing scrub, I was also very careful with the lead, and getting it off the floor, my clothes, etc. It's fun to work w/ but, I'm guessing, toxic.

Good luck w/ your project !

"Recaulkling" the joints dose solve most of the leaks, and I have done it in the past. However, take care I have had closet flanges split. I guess the cast could have been defective. Drilling the lead goes faster then melting (have seen in the past), and uses less energy. I would recommend hiring a licensed plumber like myself. I went into a trade to support a family, and now thanks to the "Do it your self TV" and the"Want to be stars" giving amateurs advice on the internet. My phone doesn't ring and I have to find a new line of work.

Hi AnchorPlbgWi and welcome to the Plumbing pageat at AskMeHelpDesk.com. You piggybacked on an a 5 year old dead thread. In the future, before you post, look in the upper left hand corner for the date.

I would recommend hiring a licensed plumber like myself. I went into a trade to support a family, and now thanks to the "Do it your self TV" and the"Want to be stars" giving amateurs advice on the internet. My phone doesn't ring and I have to find a new line of work.Are you saying you're a licensed plumber and can't find work? I find that rather hard to believe. Does the "Wi" in your handle stand for Wisconsin? I agree drilling and prying out 6the lead is easier then melting it out. Thanks for your post. Tom

I'm a network engineer for a company. I get paid because I have expertise that are not easily gained on a DIY website. I would happily help others become network experts, which would lead to new interesting jobs for me. Perhaps a new industry that should be created is "DIY helpers" where I pay a nominal fee to have an expert plumber, electrician, builder etc. come guide me and inspect my work. That would be kind of like an upgrade. Since you would spend less time in the trenches, and more time advising, I'm sure you could make more money.

I'm a network engineer for a company. I get paid because I have expertise that are not easily gained on a DIY website. I would happily help others become network experts, which would lead to new interesting jobs for me. Perhaps a new industry that should be created is "DIY helpers" where I pay a nominal fee to have an expert plumber, electrician, builder etc. come guide me and inspect my work. That would be kind of like an upgrade. Since you would spend less time in the trenches, and more time advising, I'm sure you could make more money.

Hi guyman and Welcome to The Plumbing Page. At AskMeHelpDesk.com. You're responding to a 5 year old dead thread . Look in then upper left hand corner of the first post form the date in the first post before you post, Thanks
Would you be advertising you services to us? Just us plumbers or the entire site?
which would lead to new interesting jobs for me So tell us. What would you be getting out of this? In other words just, exactly what are you proposing? Back to you, Tom