I have a 4" and 2 2" stubbed off drains in my basement to add a bath. They are white PVC caps that seem to be cemented in place.

Is there any way to remove or open these without sawing off at the base of the cap?

Thanks
Hannon

Once PVC is welded with glue it's there for ever. No solvent, no heat will loosen it, you must cut it.

Is there not enough pipe above ground to cut the cap off and still have room to adapt.

Cut off the top or dome of the cap. Make 2 or 3 longitudinal cuts in the cap, cuting almost thur the cap material but not into the pipe itself. The begin heating the pipe with propane torch. Warn the entire pipe, keep the flame moving. After warming the pipe, concentrate heat in the area of one of the cuts and begin prying the cap from the pipe with a flat blade screwdriver or small chisel. As the two begin to separate, keep the heat ahead of the chisel. Do not burn. Try to heat the cap material only. After removal sand the pipe well.

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Originally Posted by hannon

I have a 4" and 2 2" stubbed off drains in my basement to add a bath. They are white PVC caps that seem to be cemented in place.

Is there any way to remove or open these without sawing off at the base of the cap?

Thanks
Hannon

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Good morning Hannon,
Every one here seems to think that you have hard caps on the stub-ups. But we used test caps,(see image) to seal off open ended pipes when we test for inspection. If that's what you have then simply break the tops and pull it out.. Careful you don't knock the cap back down into the drain.
Now if you do, indeed, have hard caps installed if they were improperly primed and glued perhaps Harolds method will work but PVC cement will melt the plastic, welding the two pieces together. I've never had any luck attempting to pull them apart. If you have to saw the caps off how much stock will you have left? Good luck, Tom

What harold said is actually an option. I have done it to properly cleaned, primed , glued pipe. However this is a last, last, last resort. Can be very difficult(especially if it was welded correctly as speedball said). If it is indeed a pvc glue cap, and you don't have enough room to cut the cap off, you may be able to cut the top of the cap(as illustrated in harolds post) and use a fernco(adapter clamp) to tie on. This would not be good pluming practice, but it would do the job.

Please, if you find your answer, or have already taken care of the problem, let us know.