iron pipe plugs

[Ed from chicago]

Hi,

Can you tell me if it's safe to replace an iron pipe plug (for a drum trap, or clean out), with a plug made of pvc? If not why?

Thanks

[hj]

If it is inverted, then the plastic plug may not always seal watertight, especially if there was an iron plug in it previously, and I am amazed that you could even get an iron plug out of it. A brass plug, or a regular drum trap cover with a "flange" and gasket might be the very best option. It is the only way we ever sealed drum traps.

[Ed from chicago]

Thanks HJ,

Many old homes here in Chicago were built with cast iron drum traps, and they have to be drilled out, and cracked. So, as a result, I thought that replacing it with one made out of PVC would be okay. Thanks for your input.

[hj]

Many? How about almost all of them. I never installed anything but a drum trap during the twenty years I was in the Chicago area. But I never used anything but the regular covers for them, and never a cast iron plug, even in cleanout fittings.