I recently discovered a 3 inch section of the bell on a 4' terra cotta plumbing riser cracked right off. This leaves the 2 pieces of pipe abutted together and leaking. I can't use a mission coupling because it is below grade in a very awkward location against the foundation wall which would make cutting the pipe next to impossible. Any recommendations on how to patch? I want to seal it and fill the void with concrete and forget about it.

Hi Ddom...

You said, " I can't use a mission coupling because it is below grade in a very awkward location against the foundation wall which would make cutting the pipe next to impossible".

Just so you know, that excuse won't fly in a place where all we do is remove pipes in awkward places... :)

With that being said, however, if you simply won't do the work needed to remove/replace the defective piping then you may be able to patch the pipe using a SOIL SEAL... see can. This stuff is used as a lead substitute in hubbed joints, but it is also used to PATCH cast iron tubs, so it should work pretty good for your purposes. Soil seal is sold at all plumbing supply stores and some home improvement stores.

Hope that gets you up and running!

Mark

I don't fully understand the situation, because clay pipe was not supposed to be used that close to the structure. Having said that, you can go the way MassPlumber2008 suggested, or you could attempt a concrete
Patch as you suggested. A concrete repair like that though is improper and illeagle in the eyes of Plumbing Inspectors. I can't guarantee that it wouldn't leak either. So if you do go this route, you'll want to leave it open a while and make sure it is going to hold.

A good size rotorhammer could remove enough concrete out of your way to do the repair correctly, that's the way I would go, More than likely, but I haven't seen it.

Robert