I am in the processes of finishing my basement bathroom. The rough in appears to be in place. Prior to installing the sink and toilet I thought it best to test the drains to make sure they are clear. As I poured about 5 gal of water into the sink drain, water started coming up through my floor drains. Now, I knew prior that the floor drains were not working but did not know they where tied into the toilet/ sink plumbing.

I then pulled the plug from the commode pipe (4" cast iron) and emptied the water using a shop vac. I dropped a mirror down the drain to the bend and using a flashlight saw that about 5 feet into this drain appears to be a cap.

Is it reasonable to assume that this drain line was never connected to the main sewer? Is this cap a temporary, meant to keep back flow from the main out until finished plumbing was attached? Is this a cap that can be removed from a clean out? Or do I need breakup the concrete?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

AJD

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Originally Posted by dransoff4

Is it reasonable to assume that this drain line was never connected to the main sewer? Is this cap a temporary, ment to keep back flow from the main out until finished plumbing was attached? Is this a cap that can be removed from a clean out? Or do I need breakup the concrete?

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If it's cast iron, then it's likely it was never tied in.

Cast iron is usually capped of with a rubber cap and stainless band or a mechanical plug.

Is this something you can access from outside, or is the cap below the concrete?

From what I can see it appears to be stainless steelcap seated inside the pipe with a horizontal steel rod. For what purpose I don't know. This is a cast iron pipe in concrete. My fear is that it was never tied in. If that is the case why did "they " go through the trouble of running the drain vents?

My next step is to cut my newly laid laminate floor to access the cleanout. Hopefully I will be able to reach this plug/cap and remove it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dransoff4

From what I can see it appears to be stainless steelcap seated inside the pipe with a horizontal steel rod. For what purpose I don't know. This is a cast iron pipe in concrete. My fear is that it was never tied in. If that is the case why did "they " go through the trouble of running the drain vents?

My next step is to cut my newly laid laminate floor to access the cleanout. Hopefully I will be able to reach this plug/cap and remove it.

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From your description, it sounds like you're looking at the back end of a mechanical plug.

Reach down inside the clean out and see if you can spin off the wing nut.

Is it reasonable to assume that this drain line was never connected to the main sewer?
Yes, If the line's open then it was never tied into the main.

Is this cap a temporary, meant to keep back flow from the main out until finished plumbing was attached?
Yes, the test plug,(see image) is a temporary plug used to block off a pipe thatwill have to be connected to the main.

Is this a cap that can be removed from a clean out?
Yes, if you will look at the image you will see the wing nut that growler mentioned. This nut compresses the rubber doughnut. To remove, turn the wing nut counterclockwise and pull the test plug out. Good luck, Tom