What is the approriate way to set pipe joints for sanitary cast iron pipe in concrete? Is it best to go with hub-less or Hub and Spigot for cast iron joints that must be set in concrete?

Hi Mbtibbs

No sewer pipes should ever be installed IN concrete... should be under concrete and covered by sand or pea gravel. In fact, in most cases, due to the expansion/contraction of the sewer pipe in concrete, it will cause the concrete to crack over time.

Only real way around this if you MUST install the pipe in the concrete is to wrap the entire pipe in PIPE INSULATION.

In terms of your original question, by the way, use hubless cast iron (usually called NO-HUB cast iron)... only way to go nowadays!

Mark

The pipe referenced is going through concrete that in places is 12" deep. The first fitting will be in concrete. The pipe will run vertically down then run under the concrete. That first fitting should best be Hubless or hub and Spigot?

Unless you have the tools and skills to work with poured and caulked lead and oakum joints go with No-Hub as Mark suggested. You will join the pipes together with a No-Hub Bands (see image) which is both easier and faster. Good luck, Tom

Depending on your state plumbing code most "No Hubs" are not permited inside the house make sure your fitting is aproved. Mission or Proflex bands are the aproved fitting in my state and have a metal color that join the two clamps for strength.

When did they outlaw No-Hub pipe and why? I've put in entire high raise condos out on the keys in No-Hub. So, if No-Hubs don't meet code what about the dwellings that are already built? Thanks for the update. Tom

That's the state of Ohio for you Tom. Here we are permitted to use no hubs with the metal collars that join the two clamps but if they do not have that collar they are not permitted. Even though the Fern-co fittings with out the collars are less leak prone.

Hi Loken...

Are you calling Fern-co couplings NO-HUB couplings? If so, then you probably haven't done much commercial work because NO-HUB couplings have a shielded clamp much like the mission and proflex clamps, except the shield is crumpled... see image.

That I know of, these are the only clamps that ever get used on NO-HUB pipe... residential or commercial. I'm sure the proflex and mission clamps can be used, too, but no-hub clamps can definitely be used on no-hub pipe...right??

Fernco couplings (all neoprene and (2) SS clamps) are only made to be used underground and are not approved for use above ground even though home depot and all other home improvement warehouses sell them for repair work all the time... AMAZING, HUH?

Back to you...

Mark

If a home owner walks into Lowe's or HD (where they are probably going to go shopping)and asks for a "No Hub" there is a high probability they are going to walk out with a Fern-Co especially since they carry more of those than anything. Obviously we know these are meant for repairs to your gutter drains and such and not meant for drains or vents inside but still almost 1/2 the time I see repairs on Galvanized or Cast drain lines inside the dwelling. There is unapproved fittings being used in addition to their flat vents and negative slopes. Once a saw this while meeting with a client and the work had been preformed by a legitimate plumbing company. Go figure that one.

Hey MBTibbs,
Pay no attention to the interchange between the experts. You use any clamp for cast iron that the big box store will sell you. Good luck, Tom