View Full Version : Removing Brass pipe from Cast Iron
 
 Craddock
Jun 2, 2007, 10:13 AM
http://www.msnusers.com/dddm86ru89coki506bhl3iuih3/Documents/Pictures/May162007drain%20004%2Ejpg
 
Hi,  I'm trying to remove a brass pipe from a cast iron floor drain in the basement.  The pipe is part of a backwater floater ball unit.  I removed the brass cleanout plug with a crescent wrench without any problem so I think if I had the right tool that this should come out easily as well.  My ultimate goal is to make it a shower drain.  I have already tried liquid wrench with a hammer and screw driver in the groves but I can't seem to get enough leverage.
 
Thank you for your help, Craddock
 speedball1
Jun 2, 2007, 11:07 AM
What grooves?   In the brass pipe? This brass pipe is threaded in the floor drain?  I think the correct tool would be a 14 or 18" pipe wrench.  If it's secured with anything else click on back.  Regards,  Tom
 Craddock
Jun 2, 2007, 11:29 AM
Can you see in the picture above my question, there is a brass fitting with 4 knotches.  I tried puttting a screw driver in one and then hammering the end to get the brass to move, tbut this was unsuccessful.  A won't work because the 4 inch depth to get to the fitting.  Thank you for your quick response.  If you can't see the picture let me know and I will try to reload it.
 Craddock
Jun 2, 2007, 11:44 AM
http://www.msnusers.com/Craddockdrain/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1
 
This is it.
 speedball1
Jun 2, 2007, 12:07 PM
I see the picture, Thanks!   If this were in myhouse I would get a strainer for the floor drain and use it for my shower base. We had one like it in the house I grew up in.  If you want to install a regular shower base and drain  I w3ould just take a heavy hammer and bust out the floor drain back to the drain pipe.
You're going to hafta install a trap and raiser for the shower any how.  Good luck,  Tom
 Craddock
Jun 2, 2007, 12:17 PM
Thanks, glad you can see it.  I thought of doing just that but I thought a fiberglass base would be easier than having to tile.  It drains great "as is" now so would I really need to bust it out?  Can't I just add a 2 inch pvc pipe from where that brass fitting is and connect  to the fiberglass base.  This floor drain has a narrow P trap.
 speedball1
Jun 2, 2007, 12:34 PM
Let's assume that the brass fitting's threaded in.  I would soak around the threads with WD40 and take a long chisel and use it like a impact driver.  If that fails I would take a sharp chisel and chisel that sucker out of the threaded opening.  Good luck,  Tom
 Craddock
Jun 2, 2007, 12:46 PM
Yes, it is threaded in.  I'll give it a shot.  Thanks for all the quick responses. I'll let you know how it goes.
 Craddock
Jun 4, 2007, 09:07 AM
Speedball1, my attempts to remove the threaded fitting were unsuccessful.  I'm going to use your idea; put a strainer over it and use it.  I'll just tile over the concrete floor for my shower base.  Thanks again,  Holly