1-1/4 trap broke off level with the slab in my ground floor BR. Listening to bad advise, I tried prying away the remainder of the trap in the floor, now what appears to be soft soft lead pipe has tottally disintegrted and I see down to the dirt and the remainder of the pipe under the slab. I already know I will have to break up the slab to get to this repair, what I don't know is if I can keep it to a minimun and rehook up to the (possible lead) pipe somehow, (Fernco -- or as an old-timer plumber told to me a "Bit" joint? ), or do I need to do a more extensive repair all the way to the main drain.

Thank's from Mr. Fix-it... err... Mr. BREAK-IT!

1-1/4 trap broke off level with the slab in my ground floor BR. Listening to bad advise, I tried prying away the remainder of the trap in the floor, now what appears to be soft soft lead pipe has tottally disintegrted and I see down to the dirt and the remainder of the pipe under the slab. I already know I will have to break up the slab to get to this repair, what I don't know is if I can keep it to a minimun and rehook up to the (possible lead) pipe somehow, (Fernco -- or as an old-timer plumber told to me a "Bit" joint??), or do I need to do a more extensive repair all the way to the main drain.

Thank's from Mr. Fix-it...err...Mr. BREAK-IT!

I'm not even going to mention that "S" traps have been outlawed in all local and state codes. For years. I have no idea what a "bit joint" is, ( and I AM a old time plumber) but here's how I would go about it. CARFULLY break up the floor back to where the pipe can be coupled to. Use a neoprene coupling with hose clamps to convert to PVC pipe. Come out of the ground with a short sweep drainage elbo and connect to a PVC "S" trap. Good luck and what in hell's a "Fernco"? The name of that old time plumber? Cheers, Tom

Hey Speedball,
www.fernco.com

They make all kinds of couplings.


Tom

Thanks Tommy,
I placed the site in my data base. I didn't think it was the name of a old time plumber. I really thought it was the name of a Mafia hit man. Now if someone will please explain what a "bit joint" is my education will be complete.

Cheers, another Tom

Thank You Speedball1... er... Tom!

The Plumber I had chatted with who mentioned this "bit joint" told me it had something to do with flaring the lead pipe and inserting another inside. He did say not to many guys do this... I will try to find out more. But the "Fernco" sounds good enough to me!

Chip

Thank You Speedball1...er...Tom!

The Plumber I had chatted with who mentioned this "bit joint" told me it had something to do with flaring the lead pipe and inserting another inside. He did say not to many guys do this...I will try to find out more. But the "Fernco" sounds good enough to me!

Chip

Now that's something this "old timey plumber" can understand. It's called "wiping a joint" and he's right, lead working's a lost art. Back when I took my exam we had to join two pieces of sheet lead together by soldering them. This was done very carfully and with a low flame as too much heat would just melt the lead. To make a flare in a lead pipe we used a wooden top to make the flare. All lead working tools were made of wood, different size tops, forming paddles, wooden mallets and wiping cloths were the tools we used.
However you don't want to couple to lead, you need to convert to PVC. But thanks for clearing that up. Cheers, Tom