I got very helpful information from speedball regarding the test plug to be placed at the bottom of the pipe being laid from the house to the sewer connection in our conversion from septic to sewer. I have 2 more questions-
1. We have a cast iron 4" pipe leaving from the house and need to connect it (underground) to the new pipe we will run from that point to where it connects into the pipe coming from the sewer lateral. I have been recommended to use ABS (schedule?) or SDR 35?? Which is preferred, easier to work with, less expensive, etc.
2. Also what type of coupling to use for the connection from the cast iron to this new pipe. It will be underground. I have heard of Mission or Fern? I think these may be rubber with clamping bands? Will these hold up underground? Thanks again. Lynne

Hy Lynne,


1. We have a cast iron 4" pipe leaving from the house and need to connect it (underground) to the new pipe we will run from that point to where it connects into the pipe coming from the sewer lateral. I have been recommended to use ABS (schedule?) or SDR 35?? Which is preferred, easier to work with, less expensive, etc.
SDR,( Standard Diminsion Ratio) is a term and not a pipe. Didn't you
Mean PVC?
I recommend using PVC Scedule#40. We haven't used ABS down here since the 60's. It didn't hold up as well as PVC on rough ins in the hot Florida sun.

2. Also what type of coupling to use for the connection from the cast iron to this new pipe. It will be underground. I have heard of Mission or Fern? I think these may be rubber with clamping bands? Will these hold up underground? Thanks again.
While Fernco does have a neoprene coupling,(see image) on the market I recommend a Shielded Couplinhg, (see image) to transition from cast iron to plastic.
A Neaprene coupling can sag and bell while a shielded coupling is the more ridgid and gives better support. Good luck, Tom

You can also go with ABS. It is inexpensive and sold in 20' sections. All can be purchased in Home Depot or Lowe's. Fern fittings or Flex Seal fittings are both very easy to use and approved for underground installation. Tie s.s. clamps with torque wrench preset at 60lbs. These fittings are made to fit just about any common pipe size you want to install.

Yes you can go with ABS as Mil0o suggested but we haven't used ABS down here since the 60's. It didn't hold up as well as PVC on rough ins in the hot Florida sun. When we armed out to pick up the kitchen sink the sun would heat the black ABS so much it would droop right down to the ground. We found PVC to be the more adaptable to our area then ABS. Perhaps in a more northern area it would be acceptable but not here in Florida. Regards, Tom

Now, you talking "hot", Tom ! :) We work exclusively with black, foam core, ABS in So.California. It is exposed to direct So.Cal sun for some time before we wrap - but I never seen it bend as you describe. Maybe FL sun is more intense...

Anyway, he plans on using it underground so sun should not play significant role here...