Hi:

I was attempting to clean out a clogged drain at the sanitary tee and the cast iron at the plug broke. The cast iron sanitary tee is still in good shape. As I see it, I have 2 options:

1) Remove the broken piece of cast iron pipe that comes out of the sanitary tee and plug it with an expandable rubber plug (from DO Smith).

2) Cut out the cast iron sanitary tee and replace it with a PVC sanitary tee. I've checked out all the "how to" sections and feel pretty comfortable doing this.

What would you do? (Option 1 or 2)

Thanks,

Preston

Preston... is there something that joins into this cast iron sanitary tee from above..

If so, I would replace the broken cast fitting with a new CAST IRON NO-HUB sanitary tee with 4 band clamps (see pic.).

What size is the pipe..

Get back to me... MARK

There is a cast iron pipe coming from above. The diameter of the pipe is about 2.5 inches (outside).

Again, the cast iron sanitary tee is in good shape. The piece of pipe that broke was a short section of pipe that goes into the sanitary tee on one side and had the clean out plug on the other side. The fittings are sealed with lead (and oakum I assume).

I'm not sure what a NO-HUB sanitary tee is. Any photo?

Thanks Mark

Forget the question about NO-HUB. I found some photos.

It's clear.

Preston

Is this a DOUBLE sanitary TY fitting..

Pipe comes out one side, and cleanout on the other side.. And the pipe broke on the one side..

Having a bit of trouble understanding this...

Let me try to send a photo in a couple of minutes.

I do not think it is a "double" sanitary tee.

Thanks

Preston

http://www.homedepot.ca/wcsstore/HomeDepotCanada/images/catalog/0a0ea485-5759-468c-91e4-4c3576b5a67b_4.jpg

This is what it is (but the actual pipe is cast iron).

The actual orientation is 90 degrees from the photo. The curved end heads up (vertical) to the sink.

The clean out plug was on one side of the straight section.

Hey Preston:

In the long run, sounds like it will be easier to cut out this stuff and replace with new pipe/fitting

If cutting out the sanitary tee or into the vertical piping... be sure to support the pipe going vertical so does not fall or disturb the plumbing upstairs.

If cutting any of the cast iron, use a sawzall and a carbide cutting blade.. OR if you can locate the newer LENNOX DIAMOND blade, will cut through cast iron in 2 minutes flat!

You want to use the clamps I posted pics. Of earlier.

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It sounds like the pipe broke in such a way that it is in the fitting of the sanitary tee... so inteferes with the lead and oakum joint... right?

You could cut into the pipe and then remove the broken piece of pipe by using a drill with drill bit (almost as wide as lead ring) and try to drill out the lead and then pry out the oakum.

Then install new pipe PVC into the hub, connect the pipe to old pipe using a shielded clamp (see pic... acommodates the difference in pipe thicknesses between cast iron and PVC) and then fill the hub of the sanitary tee with LIQUID LEAD in a can (or similar product such as SOIL SEAL (see pic.).

All this is available at home supply store. Let me know what you think... MARK

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Here is an attached photo of the actual situation.

You can see the edges of the broken pipe coming out of the left side of the sanitary tee.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://jjgeisler.com/reeftank/images/projects/kalkwasser/top_cap.jpg&imgrefurl=http://jjgeisler.com/reeftank/diy_kalkwasser_reactor.htm&h=480&w=640&sz=43&hl=en&start=14&um=1&tbnid=9aXfsSuecGlw4M:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpvc%2Bplug%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den

Thank you... I would drill out the lead ring around the pipe there and then install new as in my last post!

To quote myself:

You could remove the broken piece of pipe by using a drill with drill bit (almost as wide as lead ring) and try to drill out the lead and then pry out the oakum.

Then install new pipe PVC into the hub, connect the pipe to old pipe using a shielded clamp (see pic... acommodates the difference in pipe thicknesses between cast iron and PVC) and then fill the hub of the sanitary tee with LIQUID LEAD in a can (or similar product such as SOIL SEAL (see pic.).

Let me know if this sounds reasonable to you... Liquid lead is great for this!

If not connecting to other pipe and just replacing the cleanout, then just install 6 inches of 2" pvc pipe and cement a new cleanout onto it after you have LIQUID leaded the pipe in place!

This was tough 'cause I kept thinking the sanitary tee was VERTICAL... ;)

Mark:

After I clean out the broken cast iron pipe (following the procedure you described above), can I just us a PVC plug (like shown in the link of my previous post) and use soil seal to make a seal between the PVC and cast iron hub?

This would be great.

Please confirm if the soil seal will make a good seal between the PVC plug and the cast iron pipe hub.

Thanks,

Preston

Okay, we are crossing on the posts. But I see your recommendation about the 6 inch section and I understand it now.

I was not aware there was any product like liquid lead.

If you are ever in San diego... I owe you a beer.

Preston

Hey Preston... YES... but use a piece of 2" pipe... about six inches long, seal with the liquid lead in a can... then cement the cleanout onto end of pipe. You shoud be good to go!!

Read the can label to be sure of exactly what you need to do to get perfect job!

They also make a PLASTIC lead in a can... also works great!

Let me know how you makee out.. ok? Good luck! MARK

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PS... GREAT PICS!! Helped tons!

Hey... great typing by the way.

Many don't realize they need to refresh the screen to see our answers... good for you!

All clear. I will try it out today.

Preston

Good luck!