Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Vinnieqt's Avatar
    Vinnieqt Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Sep 6, 2012, 03:39 PM
    I am looking for a tool to remove a cleanout plug from a cast iron soil pipe?
    I want a tool that would securely hold the soil pipe securely so as not to break the lead seals.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Sep 6, 2012, 04:16 PM
    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
    Attached Images
      
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Sep 6, 2012, 07:26 PM
    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.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Sep 7, 2012, 06:11 AM
    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
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    Sep 7, 2012, 12:26 PM
    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
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Replace 3" ABS pipe bonded into cast iron cleanout pipe [ 1 Answers ]

Need to connect new 3" ABS pipe to an old cast iron cleanout pipe just above cement floor. Need to create a new cleanout in 3" ABS that will be 12" above the old cast iron cleanout so that a main sewer line blockage between the main stack & the street sewer some 25 feet away can be removed. Had to...

Cutting through cast iron How is it possible to cut through a cast iron soil pipe [ 6 Answers ]

Cutting through cast iron How is it possible to cut through a cast iron soil pipe

How do I remove cast iron/possibly brass plug from cleanout drain in bathroom? [ 9 Answers ]

My bathroom sink is plugged solid. I tried to use snake under sink but can't seem to get it in very far. There is an old corroded clean out sticking out of the wall behind the toilet so I removed the toilet to get at it but it doesn't budge. It has a square nut on the top of what looks to be a...

Cast Iron WC Soil Pipe is Huge? [ 2 Answers ]

Hi We are about to change our really old fashioned toilet to a close coupled sort, well that's the plan! But the cast iron toilet soil pipe is so long, its sticks through from the wall about 10", can it be reduced in length so we can fit a closer loo to the wall? If so, what's the best way to do...

Cast iron soil pipe [ 1 Answers ]

Hi I would appreciate very much if someone could clarify some questions I have on oakum/lead joints I have 3 horizontal hub and spigot joints to repair on 4" cast iron sewer pipe. The pipe itself is @ 5 years old. I would like to know if this is the correct way to solve this problem... ...

View more questions Search