I'm adding a 1/2 bath to my house and have cast iron pipes leading out to the sewer. I have heard that people use the soft black plastic plumbqwik qwik-tees with the metal bands to tighten onto the cast iron for both ease of install and because they are compatible with the cast iron. What I had planned to do was cut out a section of the vertical cast iron leading up to an already existing bath and replace with the qwik tee. My question is: can professional plumbers snake through a line that has this quik tee or is it too soft to withstand the snake? If the roto-rooters couldn't snake through lead pipe without a warning I can only imagine with the qwik tee that is soft balck plastic but wanted to check! If not, what other materials can be connected to cut cast iron? Also, is there anything that you can put in your drain to kill roots or must one keep snaking or begin cutting the trees down, Geez, lots of questions! Thanks,

Before you cut that cast make sure you secure it with clamps. That will keep all the pipe above from falling downward when you remove a section. The connector tee you want to use I don't believe it to be code in any area, you need to install a pvc tee and go from there. They do sell straight couplers that are designed for pvc to cast connection, a rubber sleave surrounded by a metal sleave and then 4 stainless steel clamps. GOOD LUCK

Thomas has some great points about the clamps to hold the pipe in place and also the no hub coupling bands. Given the circumstance of having to clean the drain line often, I'd go with two no hub coupling bands connecting to the cast iron. Then a couple of short pieces of PVC to connect into your PVC fitting. Fernco is great stuff, but the bands might be stouter over time.

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Originally Posted by ThomasCKeat

before you cut that cast make sure you secure it with clamps. That will keep all the pipe above from falling downward when you remove a section. The connector tee you want to use I don't beleive it to be code in any area, you need to install a pvc tee and go from there. They do sell straight couplers that are designed for pvc to cast connection, a rubber sleave surrounded by a metal sleave and then 4 stainless steel clamps. GOOD LUCK

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If it were up to me, I would just install a cast iron No-Hub Wye or Tee with No-Hub bands and then take off with plastic from there using the appropriate Mission, Fernco or Pro-Flex shielded coupling to make the transition from cast to plastic.

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Originally Posted by malex27

Thomas has some great points about the clamps to hold the pipe in place and also the no hub coupling bands. Given the circumstance of having to clean the drain line often, I'd go with two no hub coupling bands connecting to the cast iron. Then a couple of short pieces of PVC to connect into your PVC fitting. Fernco is great stuff, but the bands might be stouter over time.

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No-Hub bands are not an approved transition from cast iron to plastic, Malex.

Approved transition bands are Mission, Fernco or Pro-Flex shielded couplings:

1-1/2" -- CP-150

2" -- CP-200

3" -- CP-33

4" -- CP-44

Y'know, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt for only so long, Malex -- You tweak my radar one more time and I'm coming out swinging.

Tweak your radar? Come out swinging?

Are you kidding me? That's awfully strong language. As a courtesy, I'd prefer you keep the tone of your posts more civil in the future. I'm courteous to others and appreciate the same in return.

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Originally Posted by malex27

Tweak your radar?? Come out swinging??

Are you kidding me? That's awfully strong language. As a courtesy, I'd prefer you keep the tone of your posts more civil in the future.

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And I would prefer you put some thought into your replies.

What are the chances of that happening, Malex?

Interestingly enough I missed this exchange while completing the work. (When the replies took a while to post I called a plumber I know) I was having a bit of the same dialogue with myself about what type of couplings to use about the same time these replies were posted. Used the metal wrapped couplings mentioned above and found it ideal. While the cast iron was open I snaked the line and found the roots I was looking for. This job pushed me from novice to intermediate plummer; what more could I want right? Thanks for the replies you'll here from me again soon I am sure. Respect.

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Originally Posted by mynames

Interestingly enough I missed this exchange while completing the work. .

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Yeah, some of us, namely me, can get a bit pissy from time to time.

mynames glad everything turned out rosey for you. Congrats on the graduation from novice! Good luck in the future.