Replaced a 4" cast vertical waste pipe with 4" PVC and replumbed 3 bathrooms. Inspection went well except the inspector wants me to install a test tee? At the base of the replaced stack for a water test. I have plugged all the drain openings, now I assume there is some type of tee that has a valve in it to shut the trunk line down so we can fill it with water to see if it holds. Then after that I guess you remove the test tee?
What does he mean asking for a water test? And where to find a 4" test tee?

Hi Topcat:

He is talking about installing a test tee... also called a dandy cleanout (see images) at the base of the stack... and it stays there permanently.

Once the test tee is installed you will need to purchase a cherne seal test plug (about $30.00... see images) and install that into the test tee and pump it up as stated on the plug. Now you can introduce water to the system.

These can be found at any local plumbing supply supply or even here online:

http://aolsearcht4.search.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?s_it=imageDetails&q=cherne+test+ball&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.accentshopping.com%2FImageGen .ashx%3FIMG_ID%3D8130%26IMG_Height%3D250%26IMG_Wid th%3D250&site=&host=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.accentshopping.com%2Fproduct .asp%3FP_ID%3D148838&width=111&height=111&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners-tbn.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3ARtVaIu9mPU3P3M %3Awww.accentshopping.com%2FImageGen.ashx%253FIMG_ ID%253D8130%2526IMG_Height%253D250%2526IMG_Width%2 53D250&b=image%3Fq%3Dcherne%2520test%2520ball%26oreq%3Dcb e1010ff4b74e30b55e9dd9fa0601de&imgHeight=249&imgWidth=250&imgTitle=Use+%3Cb%3ECherne%3C%2Fb%3E+Clean+Seal+%C 2%AE+%3Cb%3ETest%3C%2Fb%3E&imgSize=13632&hostName=www.accentshopping.com

In my area the test will be to fill the entire system with water to the point that it flows out the roof vent. Obviously, you would be filling the pipes from the roof... ;)

You may need other plugs/caps to do this test to the inspector's satisfaction.

Let us know if you want to discuss more... OK?

MARK

Thanks for the detailed explanation. When installing this tee at the base of the stack, would you place a clean out above it or below it? Or can this double as a clean out?

The test tee is the cleanout. Once the test is completed you will add some pipe dope to the threads of the test tee cap and screw it back into the test tee.

Another name for the test tee is a dandy clean out.

MARK

Once the test tee is installed you will need to purchase a cherne seal test plug (about $30.00... see images) and install that into the test tee and pump it up as stated on the plug. Now you can introduce water to the system.
These can be found at any local plumbing supply supply or even here online:
Another less expensive test plug would be a inflatable test ball, (see image). Youinsert the ball and pump it up with a bicycle pump.
As Mark stated, we fill our stacks from the roof until they over flow. Leave them over night and call for a inspection the next morning.

Another name for the test tee is a dandy clean out.
And yet another is a "inspection tee"
Good luck, Tom

Hi all...

Actually, Tom... A 4" Cherne seal test plug ($26.00) is cheaper than a regular 4" regular test ball ($28.00). ;)

And an especially nice feature of the cherne seal test ball is that you can release the air from the ball and the water flows by without any fingers getting pinched or any water getting on the floor because you don't have to remove the plug/cap to drain the pipes.

I remember one time when I released a regular test ball from a test tee and the darn thing wouldn't release as the head of pressure from above forced it down into the pipe... ended with 3 floors of test water out onto the basement floor before I could get it out... and I was soaked. My boss was NOT impressed! LOL!

MARK