[leadfree]

Ok There is a lead waste pipe that I mangled when tearing up the old floor. I did not know it was lead . The cast iron stack below it is inaccessible. Is it possible to take a 4 inch PVC or abs flange with the rubber expansion collar and insert it into the lead pipe and then tighten the screws to expand the rubber tight against the lead pipe?
Help please

[massplumber2008]

Hi Leadfree...

You definitely have a problem there... *ouch*! What you propose is interesting but will not last long as lead will have a tendency to spread apart and split and I am sure you want to fix this so it will last for awhile... ;)

I'm wondering if you pulled the toilet pipe apart or a pipe that branches off the toilet pipe?

If you pulled the toilet pipe apart you may be able to cut the brass ferrule that joins the lead to the cast iron hub of the vertical pipe and then use a shielded clamp to attach PVC to the cut ferrule. This works well in most cases.

Worst case, you may need to melt the old brass ferrule out of the cast iron hub by melting the lead that wraps around the brass ferrule. Then you could pour another lead joint using a PVC manhoff fitting in the cast iron hub. This method is very dangerous, requires a lot of flame/heat and special tools, and should only be done by an experienced plumber... ok?

If you pulled a branch pipe apart then you may be able to join onto the lead pipe using a fernco repair clamp. The fernco repair clamps won't work on the larger thin-walled lead pipes, but should work on the smaller thick-walled lead pipes.

Let me know what you are thinking on this...

MARK

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[leadfree]

I was going to use a flange with a rubber seal on it, and twist it into the lead pipe, but put a fenco around the lead pipe first, then once the flange is inserted tighten the fenco around the seal. This wouldsupport the lead and provide a permanent seal . What do you think.
Unless I dismantle the basement this seems the only option.

[massplumber2008]

As a plumber I gotta pat you on the back for creativity... :) But I also have to be concerned that you are choking that lead pipe down to a much smaller pipe than it should be AND that the twist and set setup could catch toilet paper/feminine napkins and cause blockages over time (I asummed that you will cut the flange off).

If you want to try it and see how it goes... go ahead, only time and a few dollars. Otherwise you will need to proceed as I suggested above and I am glad to help you through it! Pictures would help the most here! I can also talk you through posting pictures if you want?

Back to you... ;)

MARK

[leadfree]

The flange insert I was going to use is one like the one on this page
Twist N Set Closet Flange, PVC 4" # 43651 by Oatey
It is a 4" to 4" insert, so choking off the actual waste pipe is minimal, and there is no lip on the outward passage of "stuff", and women's issues are not an issue in my house.
I will have a difficult time getting my arm into the space where the fernco will be but I can make it.

Here's what I'm planning to do.
1) enlarge the hole in the sub floor around the lead waste pipe just enough to slip the fernco clamp over the pipe
2) slide the fernco down over the lead pipe
3) flair out the top of the remaining lead it will be just at floor grade
4) finish tiling the floor
5) insert the twist n set flange
6) drill holes in the tile and screw the flange down to the sub floor
7) go downstairs and act like a circus contortionist and tighten the screws on the fernco
8) put new wax seal with collar on bottom of toilet and install.
And voilà, repair accomplished.

What do you think?

[massplumber2008]

Ahh... now I see what you are doing. Seems like you are just talking about installing a twist and set flange into lead pipe and then clamping all as back up, and then installing a toilet.

Sounds pretty good overall to me... Give this a shot and then test it out! If holds then you are all set. If not, pop back and we'll see what else we can come up with.

Please post a pic. If you can should your fix not work!

Good luck...

MARK