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Old metal waste line to PVC issues

3K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  TheEplumber 
#1 ·
This new sink/vanity has been a massive headache this weekend for me. First my wife who bought the vanity and sink failed to notice that our floor board trim would obstruct the vanity from going flush to the wall. So I had to terribly improvise a 30" 2x4 to fill in the gap (this is all a 2 year solution till we redo our bathrooms).

Anyways I am now running into an issue with the P-trap. I have old steel coming in, into PVC. I dreaded disconnecting the rear part of the P-trap knowing that it could cause havoc and it has. The pipe end itself is not smooth, it has some rough jagged edges around the end. I tried both a rubber washer and plastic washer (1.25") but the end still leaks. I think a 1.5" washer would be too big.

I am afraid that my next step would have to be to cut the bend, and close to the wall as possible, put in a Fernco coupler, and hope for the best. My fear is if the metal pipe cracks in any sort of way I am totally screwed.

Thoughts?

 
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#2 · (Edited)
That pipe needs to be replaced with a new piece of PVC.
It should have been included with the drain kit.
What happened to the nut and seal that seals it to the nipple coming out of the wall?
You need an ossilating saw to cut that baseboard so the vanity will fit.
About a 10 min. job with the right tool.
 
#3 ·
The drain kit did not come with a new PVC pipe for the wall. Just the down pipe which I joined to the extender (white PVC pipe in the picture). I did buy a P-trap kit from HD that has a replacement line from the wall, but it's not like this house from 1930 has PVC in the walls, so it's finding the best method to join at this point.

And I do not have an oscillating saw, thus my work around. :/
 
#4 ·
That kit should still work. That old steel pipe and the PVC are the same size.
There should have been two differant seals that go under that nut. One is 1-1/2 and the other one adapts from 1-1/4 to the size of that pipe in the wall.
 
#8 ·
At some point all that old metal supply and drain piping is all going to need to be replaced. It's 100% of the time at some point is going to rust out and leak from the inside out.
 
#9 ·
Oh no doubt. The hope is for things to last to 2015 when we have the funds to do both of our bathrooms (which may include turning two baths into one). This was a stop gap solution of pulling out a horrible sink, but then of course running into the perils of having an old house.
 
#11 ·
It is not unusual at all to have to plumb cut base molding to install a vanity flush to the wall. A Multi-tool is excellent for this.

What you have sticking out there is the back portion of a P trap. I would pull that out, Take off the escutcheon, and see what you have. It is probable that you have Galvanized Steel Piping in the walls, and it is probable that it is mostly blocked from scum and internal corrosion.

AT minimum, you are going to want to run a closet auger into that pipe while you have it apart.
 
#12 ·
I would just cut the base molding to make it fit. However I have a two-fold problem. First the bottom structural integrity of the vanity is supported by a bottom back piece that is smaller than my wood trim is. Plus I can't relocate the piece because it would obstruct the piping coming in from the wall.

The alternative, knocking out the base trim, I am lacking the tools to do a clean job of it. At this point my very ugly compromise (2x4) works and I can do some tiling over it to make it look descent. Still just a PITA.

The more pressing issue at hand, my waste pipe. It does seem to be a galvanized piece, and I am not sure if it's just years of decay, but I swear it look like someone fused the pipe on.



I have tried to remove the pipe with absolutely no success. I am also afraid that if I do remove it that it may mess up the threading into the wall pipe and make things far more difficult. I am going to try to find a slightly over-sized washer so I don't have to mess with the steel pipe for now (at some point in 2015 the plan is to have all my existing bathroom piping replaced). If that does not work the only other thing I can think of is trim the steel pipe and put on a coupler. I am sure if it is galvanized that it will be so much fun to try to trim. :/
 
#18 ·
Here is where you get to join the club of those of us that have owned old homes. I know you don't want to hear this, but I would take a hammer and beat out the plaster around that pipe, then using a saws all or your multi tool cut out the lath blocking that pipe and cut the pipe off a couple of feet from the in wall fitting. Look in the pipe. It is probably severely clogged for at least the first foot or so from the trap. Replace all clogged pipe with same sized DWV PVC pipe, or try to clear, couple with a rubber HD Fernco fitting and patch the wall.

Welcome to the world of "Charm" as Joe puts it. You are earning your "Bones"
 
#21 ·
Do you own a sawall?

If you do wack the pipe sticking out flush with the soldier collar.

Using a saw all with a hack saw blade you will need to slice the brass bushig 2 to 3 times without cutting the threads of the Galvanized pipe it is in.

Takes a bit of skill and good vision but it can get down.

Then you take a flat blade screwdriver and a hammer and peel the brass out.

Then you install a Plastic FIP with teflon tape and pipe dope being careful you do not cross thread.

Then install a Male trap adaptor by gluing it in the other piece. Use the proper glue...

You can also cut them out with one of these
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-1...936145000P?PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=39869:4:0
A bit more time consuming but a lot safer for the old pipe.

Good luck
 
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