I want a tool that would securely hold the soil pipe securely so as not to break the lead seals.

Hi Vinnie


Only tools for this job are wrenches. If you use wrenches and are disturbing the cast iron drain pipe(s) so that you could damage them then you may have to try an alternative route here.

First, try a larger wrench... probably can't hurt the pipe in most cases. If that fails to work then try taking a cold chisel and cut a vgroove into the edge of the cap as in the first below picture. Then take a large hammer and hit the cold chisel into the vgroove in a counterclockwise manner and see if you can start loosening the plug. Once you move the cap even a little (break the seal) you should be able to get a wrench on the plug and unscrew it.

If that won't work then you may need to cut out the old cleanout plug. To cut the cleanout you can cut the plug head off and then cut a cross into the cleanout plug as in the 2nd drawing below. Use a sawzall (reciprocating saw) with a bimetal sawzall blade and cut up super close to the cast iron, but do NOT cut into the cast iron threads in any way. Use a hammer and kind of cave the cross cut in a bit and then use a pair of pliers to wiggle the pieces out... ;)

Should be all you need here!

Good luck!

Mark

Mark, I think the question was holding the soil pipe securely. Use a chain wrench. These are used for large diameter pipe holding. Put this wrench in your right hand and a large crescent wrench in your left, squeeze toward each other.

When I'm faced with this issue I simply take a hammer and break the brass cover plate and replace it with another. Good luck, Tom

Hi Brian...

My guess is that you haven't removed too many brass cleanout plugs from cast iron pipes. Like Tom said, in most cases, if a wrench won't get the plug out we cave the plug in or cut it out as I presented above and replace with a new one.

I've never heard of using a chain wrench and a crescent wrench as most of the cleanout plugs that are tough to get out are 3" and 4"... no crescent wrench will work on removing these (at least not without a persuader bar)... ;)

Have a good day!

Mark