Inserting a fitting into the middle of a drainpipe?

[HarleySilo]

So how the heck do you insert a t or wye into the middle of a piece of pvc if you can't move the pipe to the left or right or up or down.....? Is that when you have to use a fernco or whatever you guys are arguing about?

I may need to put a wye smack dap in the middle of this drain pipe, but it's plumbed in to the septic on one end, and 90's at the other, can't move it back an fourth.

So I guess I could cut out a section, like 4ft, glue up the wye, then a section of pipe that just barley fits, glue it in, then use one of those pvc pipe unions or whatever you call them that slips over, put pipe together and slip it back over joint...

this pipe

 

[Gary Swart]

There are a couple of ways that you can do this. First, you can not use a Fernco for this application. You could use a banded coupling which is somewhat similar to a Fernco but is approved for this application. A Fernco is a neoprene sleeve with a SS hose clamp on each end. A banded coupling has a band the full length of the coupling. The other possibility is to use PVC slip couplings. This work very well even in pressurized systems.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Randyj]

Ya might have a little difficulty finding one but there are "repair" couplings which look exaclty the same as a regular coupling except that they do not have the stop ridge in the center. This allows you to slide the coupling back over the pipe, insert the new piece, then slide the coupling over the joint. Getting the glue to stay where you want it can be tricky.

 

[HarleySilo]

Ya might have a little difficulty finding one but there are "repair" couplings which look exaclty the same as a regular coupling except that they do not have the stop ridge in the center. This allows you to slide the coupling back over the pipe, insert the new piece, then slide the coupling over the joint. Getting the glue to stay where you want it can be tricky.

Any details on overcoming the trickyness?

 

[Markts30]

Any details on overcoming the trickyness?

A couple tricks for the repair coupling...
Make a mark on both sides of the joint 6" back...
ensure you bevel the edges of the 3" pipe with a file...
Use lots of glue on the pipe and coupling...
Wear old clothes and some gloves and lay out drop cloths...
Have fun...
LOL
(the marks are so that you can slide the coupling back to the point where the joint will be in the middle - this is the easiest way to ensure you are getting the coupling centered on the joint...)

If you cannot find the repair coupling without the stop, you can file the stop out of a reqular one - it will take a while but it is doable with a sharp half-round file... (done it - did not like it, but did it...)

 

[TedL]

First, you can not use a Fernco for this application. You could use a banded coupling which is somewhat similar to a Fernco but is approved for this application. A Fernco is a neoprene sleeve with a SS hose clamp on each end. A banded coupling has a band the full length of the coupling.

Fernco is a brand name/manufacturer, and can be found on both types of couplings, including at the big boxes. The Proflex line (made by Fernco) can be used.

 

[Jadnashua]

You have to be quite quick and have everything lined up just right (it takes practice) to use a repair coupling. Use one of the banded couplings, you'll be much less frustrated. If you are too slow, you'll end up with the coupling welded part way to where you want it, and you'll have to cut it off and start over.

 

[Gary Swart]

This link will show you the simplest and easiest way I know of in repair PVC pipes with a break or installing a fitting in an existing line. The standard slip coupler, even without a center stop, is very difficult to install due to the rapid set up of the solvent welds. I've used these couplers with sprinkler lines with 100% success, and those lines are under pressure. Your drain lines are not pressurized.

http://www.kbico.com/downloads/pdfs/QF-Specs.pdf

 

[Kordts]

I would use no-hub or pro-flex couplings. Glue some baldies into the ends of the wye. Measure what ya got. Cut out that much, and there ya go.

 

[hj]

connection

You have to use two couplings, not one. A repair coupling sounds good in theory, but in practice it is almost impossible to coat the inside of the coupling, the outside of the pipe, slide BOTH couplings onto the pipe, and then pull BOTH of them into position, before one, or both, are bonded to the pipe.