I’ve been pressed into service to do a plumbing repair at my mother in law’s house.
In her basement, she has a concrete utility tub with a drain that goes into an “S” trap. The “S” trap goes into a piece of 1-1/2″ gavlanized pipe. That 1-1/2″ pipe goes into an elbow that’s buried in the slab. The 1-1/2″ pipe that goes into that elbow has rusted through right at floor level. The threaded part of the pipe remains in the fitting. It is completely rusted and has not intention of coming out. It’s probably been in there for 50 years. Any ingenious ideas for how to fix this? I wouldn’t mind making the trap legal while I’m at it, but I don’t thing that’s in the cards. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I’d like to avoid getting into serious concrete work. Possible?
Replies
A plumbing supply house might get ya hooked up with an internal pipe wrench..basically like an ez-out that can grip pipe from the inside.
But, I bet the rust may have you by the short hairs, and you will be breaking 'crete out.
Next option is a smaller pipe inside the el and goop it in...then go up from there...but I dunno how professional that would be..
Edit for sloppy typeing
Edited 6/30/2007 8:23 pm ET by Sphere
I would sawsall and chip out the old threads then You can go to your local plumbing supply and get a donut.Its a rubber insert that will fit into the old 1 1/2 fitting and accept 1 1/2 pvc. Use liquid soap to set ths donut and pvc.
Start with some rust buster such as PB Blaster.
And put it on several times.
I have had good luck with heating it a couple of times also. That seems to have it expand and contract and help break loose and the PB BLaster to penatrate better.
Then you can try the internal wrench.
And/or get a single end hacksaw and make about 3 vertical cuts through the stub, cut not getting into the threads on the female elbow.
Then take a cold chisle and bust it inwards.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I vote for what Bill said.
What Bill wrote... and don't be sparing with the propane torch (hot wrench).
Your mechanic does this 'bout every day on bolts/parts that have rusted in place.Troy Sprout
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should also have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." -- George Washington
Not to get off-subject, but is that a real concrete tub or is it really soapstone? just curious....anyway, follow Bill's advice....good stuff there
Geoff
It's just concrete. I might be bringing it home otherwise! :)