I need to know the best way to get the lead and oakum out of a cast iron pipe hub. I have heard a couple of ideas such as drilling it out with an 1/8" drill bit ,and reheating the lead with a torch. Keep in mind that the part of the soil line I am doing this to is the last hub before it goes into my foundation so if I break the hub I am screwed.I do not want to cut the pipe and put one of those rubber couplings on,that is not an option I have to get one of those dounuts in the hub. Please help if there is anyone that has good knowledge on how to do it! Thank you so much for your time
-dave-

HI DAVE,

Hey, I think you are on track with the drill bit, but you need to increase the drill bit size. I am willing to bet that the pipe that leaves your foundation is 4" cast iron... so good size lead pour.

What I want you to do is to put a drill bit up to the lead.. choose a size slightly smaller than the width of the lead ring... and then install that into your drill. Then gently drill down through the lead and into the oakum underneath it (lead should only be an inch or 1.5 inches deep)... do this all around the fitting --->> If you want to start with a smaller drill bit go ahead, but then increase the drill size as you go.

Then when most of the lead is out gently twist the fitting out... I know how important this part is... so take your time... if necessary you can heat a spot or two... and you can also use a flat screwdriver to undermine the oakum which should let you loosen this even better.

It really is not a bad job if you take your time.

BUT.. now this is important... I want you to think about NOT installing the RUBBER DONUT... This will be the place that you could break that hub.

I would pour another lead joint there... and even there I would not pack things too tightly... TELL ME, what are you doing? Why are you doing it?

Get back to me and let me know. If you decide you want to pour a new joint let me know.. I can talk you through... BUT in my opinion... I would leave that to an experienced plumber (not some apprentice they send over all eager beaver to get it done... this job calls for slow and steady! ).

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Use a drill bit just smaller than the gap between the hub and pipe, I think you can go a bit larger than 1/8" Drill every half inch but be careful to not go past the start of the oakum, the bit will snag and just about break your wrist. Once you have your holes all the way around drive a flat blade screw driver into the lead and pry left/right until you get a strip to come out. Keep doing this until the lead is gone. The oakum is pretty tough stuff and it was driven hard into that slot many years ago so you'll be doing lots of picking. I took a large fishing hook and straightened it so I can shove it into the oakum with a pair of needle nose plyers.

I need to know the best way to get the lead and oakum out of a cast iron pipe hub. Is there anyone that has good knowledge on how to do it! Ya just happened to get a old timey plumber that broke in on lead and oakum poured and caulked joints.
To remove a poured lead and oakum joint take a 3/8" drill bit and drill a few holes down past the lead and into the oakum.. Push a screwdriver under the lead ring and lever it up. Once it's free you can began to peel the lead ring out. Now pick out the oakum and you can pull the joint apart. Good luck, Tom[