There was a bubbling in my dinning room ceiling. Pulled it down and exposed my upstairs bathroom/shower pipes. The leak was in a 1.5 inch make shift p-trap that extended too high (higher than the shower drain) so the water stayed in the drain and leaked at the union over time. I think I have fixed this by rerouting the piping... however, to do so I had to cut 16 inches of the 3" main drain from toilet and sink that the shower drains in to. When trying to replace the 3" piece, it was difficult to do and I had to re-glue and try again. I finally got it together and after 1 hour, I now have a slight drip at the coupler and new pipe. I assume it is the residual water sitting in the pipe because I have NOT tested anything yet. At the hardware store, they tried to have me try a Saddle Tee and said to Silicone between the Saddle and the 3" pipe and it would have a water tight seal. I did not use the Saddle Tee, but it makes me wonder if I can use the silicone to seal the outside of the coupler and pipe to stop this leak??

it makes me wonder if I can use the silicone to seal the outside of the coupler and pipe to stop this leak??
You can try to contain the leak with Silicon Jel. If it's a small drip at a joint vI take and prime the joint and pour PVC cement both in and around the joint. If I still have a leak I tear it out and do it over. Good luck, Tom

Do as Tom suggested if the Silicone would not work order a kit of Plumbing Adhesive and Sealant open the link below, good luck.

John



Plumbing Glues - "Amazing Goop" (http://www.plumbingworld.com/amazinggoop_compound.html)

Thanks John & Tom! I think I will wait a week so that this area can dry up. Then I will try silicone or the Amazing Goop. I tried to smear the joint with additional cement but I think it didn't hold because it was wet. -Donnie

Keep us informed of events and if we can help we're right here. Goodm luck, tom

If I cut the 3" drain again, is there an easier way to put the piece back in? The pipe will not move at either end! It was a struggle to get this one in, this the leak!

Hi Hndsmbnkr...

Sure is an easier way... ;) Purchase 2 shielded clamps and cut out the old fitting and slip in a new fitting with the 2 clamps.. tighten all up and you should be all set.

Here, prime/cement small pieces of pipe into the new fitting and then slide the clamps on each end and then bend the rubber sleeves back upon themselves (slide clamps back away for now). Measure the overall length of the fitting with the pipe and folded sleeves in place and add 1/2" to the measure and transfer that meausre to the pipe... make cuts at marks and slip the fitting and sleeves into place and slide the clamps over the sleeves and tighten well.

That should do it for you!

Mark

Thanks for everyone's help. I ended up just cutting out the coupler and trying over. It's finally togerther and I will test it after 24 hours. Thanks again!!

Thanks for the update and good luck.

John