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TomPiantanida · Sep 30, 2008, 12:02 PM

I have a very old house that has been updated piecemeal. Now I need to T a 1-1/2" PVC pipe from the bathroom sink and tub into an existing soil stack. The soil stack is non-ferrous and has an outside circumference of approximately 14-7/8" I have several questions: With this outside diameter, is it likely that the soil stack is clay (It looks like black plastic with a rough outer surface)?; can I use a 4" PVC TY fitting to join the existing 1-1/2" PVC pipes to the soil stack (with appropriate reducers, of course)?; can I use no-hub bands to connect the 4" PVC TY fitting to the 14-7/8" circumference soil stack?

speedball1 · Sep 30, 2008, 04:06 PM

The soil stack is non-ferrous and has an outside circumference of approximately 14-7/8" I have several questions: With this outside diameter, is it likely that the soil stack is clay (It looks like black plastic with a rough outer surface)?;

I can't believe it! You just described Orangeburg Pipe,(see image).

Pipes - Coal Tar Impregnated Wood Fibre Pipe (Orangeburg, Bermico, etc.
One of the unique types of pipe that began to evolve in the 1890s was one whose wall was made of cellulose (wood) fibres, impregnated with coal-tar pitch. The first known use of "fibre" pipe was for water transmission: a 1.5-mile pipeline in the Boston area, which stayed in service for 60+ years (1865-1927). Production of fibre conduit started in 1893 by the Fibre Conduit Company of Orangeburg, New York. In the late 1940s, a heavier walled version of the fibre conduit was developed and sold as "Orangeburg Pipe" -- in sizes ranging from 3" to 8" I.D. -- for sewer and drain applications.

It was over 40 years ago up in Tampa that I was putting in sewers with Orangeburg Pipe. We only did a few of those under contract. Orangeburg was never meant to be used indoors, (this is the first time I ever heard of it being used inside.) I would replace the old Orangeburg with PVC and go from there. Good luck, Tom

mygirlsdad77 · Sep 30, 2008, 04:18 PM

If it is indeed orangeburg in your house, I would seriously think about replacing it all. Go to pvc. I have never seen orangeburg inside the house. Only underground. This would not be good.

So what I'm saying is speedball is right on.

TomPiantanida · Sep 30, 2008, 04:38 PM

Thanks for the information. The pipe is a soil stack under my house; it goes from the WC to the septic tank. I need to run the tub drain and sink drain into the soil stack, and I have been looking into which PVC pieces and Fernco connectors I might need. Now the question is, what is the best way to cut the Orangeburg soil stack? Amazingly, I lived in Rockland County, NY, and was very familiar with Orangeburg Pipe. I used to roller skate at the Orangeburg Roller Rink and attend the Route 303 Drive In Theater in Orangeburg on a regular basis.

mygirlsdad77 · Sep 30, 2008, 04:46 PM

You can cut the berg with a metal sawzall blade. That the easiest way. You can use a hacksaw or , depending on what kind of shape its in, you may even be able to cut it with a sharp knife. Use ferncos, and pvc y's for your tie ins. But if you are tieing in a sink and a tub, you either need to increase your pipe size before tie in. or tie each fixture in separately to your sewer.

Milo Dolezal · Sep 30, 2008, 05:31 PM

Tom, you are such a Big Shot that I could not even leave positive feedback for you any more...

So... Very informative answer in your post #2. "Life is a continuous process of education..." said some old bearded thinker and then they built a marble statue of him in front of a library.:)

Keep them coming Tom ! We all learn as we go...

speedball1 · Oct 1, 2008, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Tom, you are such a Big Shot that I could not even leave positive feedback for you any more.....

So ...... Very informative answer in your post #2. "Life is a continuous process of education..." said some old bearded thinker and then they built a marble statue of him in front of a library.:)

Keep them coming Tom ! We all learn as we go....

Thanks Milo, but I don't feel like any sort of a "big shot". While I might remember how things were "back then" I'm in a continuing learning process from you younger plumber that are still out in the field. The only thing that saves my a$$ is the fact that plumbing basics don't change over the years.
I leave you with the plumbers code from the past that that I grew up with.
1) $hit don't run up hill.
2) Cold water's on the right.
3) Paydays on Friday
4) The boss's sonufa
And 5) Never bite your fingernails after you snake a sewer
Have a great day. Tom