View Full Version : Removing brass fittings from Cast Iron pipe
johnmen2002
Feb 3, 2008, 02:50 PM
I need to snake the line under my bathroom sink. The problem is I have a dual sink setup. The vent pipe is also connected there so I have a cast iron cross fitting where the four meet (the two sink drains, the vent pipe, and the drain to the main line). I was attempting to remove one of the drain connections into the cross that is connected to one of the sink drains. I believe the fitting to be a 1 1/4" brass fitting. I cannot get it to budge with a pipe wrench. Does anyone have any idea on how to remove these. I also believe it is threaded. Hate to call a plumber for this cause I'm pretty sure that if I can get the fitting off I can have enough access to the drain to snake out the line. I have already used a piece of galvanized pipe to put more torque on it - still will not budge - continues to slip. Any suggestions?
ballengerb1
Feb 3, 2008, 09:20 PM
John, I am not clear regarding your piping but try unscrewing the fittting in the opposite direction that you have been using. I might be a compression fitting so the threads go the other direction, clockwise not counterclockwise.
hkstroud
Feb 3, 2008, 10:33 PM
You said cast iron. Do you mean steal? A picture would be a big help.
iamgrowler
Feb 4, 2008, 07:22 AM
I need to snake the line under my bathroom sink. The problem is I have a dual sink setup. The vent pipe is also connected there so I have a cast iron cross fitting where the four meet (the two sink drains, the vent pipe, and the drain to the main line). I was attempting to remove one of the drain connections into the cross that is connected to one of the sink drains. I believe the fitting to be a 1 1/4" brass fitting. I cannot get it to budge with a pipe wrench. Does anyone have any idea on how to remove these. I also believe it is threaded. Hate to call a plumber for this cause I'm pretty sure that if I can get the fitting off I can have enough access to the drain to snake out the line. I have already used a piece of galvanized pipe to put more torque on it - still will not budge - continues to slip. Any suggestions?
This sounds like a brass 'Code Adapter' screwed into a wrought iron 'Durham' partition cross.
Try tightening the brass fitting into the cross a bit, this will help break up the doping compound used to seal the threads.