[J187]

I cut my cast iron waste pipe right after the closet bend. Transitioned over to PVC with a stainless fernco and installed the closet flange. I just poored a bucket down to test it and it leaks pretty good from the bottom of the rubber where it meets the cast pipe. Any help would be appreciated, this is the only toilet in the house.

 

[Plumber101]

I always use a frenco without the band

Make sure the cast is cleaned up the best it can be and some times it takes a few more turns with the nit driver.

 

[J187]

I thought It was code that it must have the band? The cast is nice and clean and the clamps are tight. So it is OK to use the fitting without the band? I think that would help... there seemed to be some better fittings that didn't have the band.

 

[Plumber101]

Don't know what ou local code is..Here no band is needed

Heck try it, are getting inspected if so talk with local code dept

 

[J187]

Hope the code checks out because I drilled out the clamps, took the band off and used the clamps on the rubber. Worked like a charm. Thanks.

 

[JDC]

Dont know about your own code, but here ferncos cannot be used above ground. The reasoning behind it is that a regular fernco has give to it and if used underground then the backfill material (sand/gravel) will keep the piping lined up. If used above ground then there's nothing to keep those pipes aligned.

Anything above ground must be a banded coupling. (Talking about the code here in Ohio. Your code may differ). In the application of transitioning from cast to pvc either a pvc to no hub adapter and a no hub coupling or a proflex (plastic X cast iron) coupling must be used. Either way the regular fernco, no hub band and the proflex are designed to be torqued to 60 inch-pounds. Even when torqued correctly however, sometimes you do get a leak. There is a product on the market that helps seal these joints. One brand is Black Swan and while messy it really does work.

Glad you got it to stop leaking. Thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in and see if I get change.