Terry Loves Bellevue & Kirkland
425-649-5683, Top Rated Plumber 1-877-808-5683
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Install Outside Clean Out in Main Sewer

  1. #1

    Default Install Outside Clean Out in Main Sewer

    Hi!
    I have experienced some roots in my main sewer line and was adviced by a plummer to install an outside clean out and snake the line from there.
    Yesterday, I located the sewer line and it seems to be a 4-inch iron pipe, or possibly galvanized pipe. They are coupled together and I can see roots trying to get in there.
    Does anyone have any advice of how to do this?
    Could I cut the pipe with a metal saw and install a vertical piece with a cover to use for future clean outs.
    I was thinking of renting a snake with a root cutter tip.
    Thanks for any help!

  2. #2
    Master Plumber Dunbar Plumbing's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati Area
    Posts
    2,944

    Default

    It could be cast-iron. If it is you could cut a section out and rework it with PVC.

    Back in my digging days we would set up 2 cleanouts served by opposite wye's with street 45's turned up with cleanout caps.

    This way when the cable was dropped down either cleanout, there was no debating which way that cable was heading. They make a uni-directional cleanout tee that will work but most times when the drain is clogged, you can't see that.

    You go entirely off how the cable glides in that pipe as your running the machine. The cable usually rubs against the opposite side you're trying to clear.
    Read what the end of this sentence means.

  3. #3

    Default

    Thanks!
    Would I insert a piece of PVC and connect it to the cast-iron using No-Hub Clamps? Would the PVC fit perfectly with this or any other type of connection? I assume the PVC would not fit inside the Cast Iron.

    Thanks for any responses!
    Fredrik

    Quote Originally Posted by RUGGED
    It could be cast-iron. If it is you could cut a section out and rework it with PVC.

    Back in my digging days we would set up 2 cleanouts served by opposite wye's with street 45's turned up with cleanout caps.

    This way when the cable was dropped down either cleanout, there was no debating which way that cable was heading. They make a uni-directional cleanout tee that will work but most times when the drain is clogged, you can't see that.

    You go entirely off how the cable glides in that pipe as your running the machine. The cable usually rubs against the opposite side you're trying to clear.

  4. #4
    Retired Defense Industry Engineer jadnashua's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    19,204

    Default

    The inside diameter of the pipes is the same, only the outside are different. Now, that doesn't account for any accumulated crud that may be in the existing pipe, though.
    Jim DeBruycker
    Important note - I'm not a pro
    Retired Defense Industry Engineer

  5. #5

    Default Concrete Pipes To PVC

    So after 3 more hours of digging last night, I found the root of the problem...yes, roots!!!
    Also, I found that the beginning of the pipe that comes out from the foundation is 4 inch cast iron, it is then connected to a thicker concrete-like pipe.
    The first piece makes a 90 degree turn and then each piece is about 3 feet long, the outside diameter is about 5.5 inches and each connection has some roots going into it.
    My plan is to install the clean-out next to the cast iron, and then replace the next 3-4 sections of concrete with 4 inch PVC based on your advice using the no-hub clamps.
    My problem now is, how do I connect between PVC and the concrete pipe?
    I attached a couple of pictures of the CI to Concrete and the 90 degree bend and also the Concrete to Concrete part.
    Attached Images Attached Images    

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •