Clay sewer pipe broke how to fix it

Hello Kayatanaynakai, do this: Cut 12" in front and 12" behind the break with 4" grinder or diamond blade. ( make sure you don't miss lengthwise running hairline cracks ). Buy new pipe of the same diameter. But it doesn't have to be Clay anymore. It can be PVC or ABS (Home Depot ). It will have same Inside Diameter but different Outside Diameter. Then, get 2 Flex Seal couplings ( Home Depot) or Fernco couplings to go from Clay to ABS. Measure how much pipe you cut out. Cut that length from new pipe - less 1". Insert couplings on to each end, insert new pipe, connect it with the couplings and tighten up. You are now officially back in business.

I am enclosing photo of similar installation just to better demonstrate my point. This photo shows ABS to ABS but basically it is same process as with Clay to ABS.

Good luck... Let us know how you did ! Milo

Hi all:

Milo's instructions are very good, as usual! I just wanted to pop in and point out that if say you have a 4" inside diameter clay pipe it will measure about 6 inches outside diameter...

You will want to purchase (2) 6" x4" reducing fernco couplings to install the 4" PVC pipe so that there is no reduction in the inside diameter of the main drain line.

Let us know if you have questions...


MARK