3” Copper drain leak

[Scott G]

I have a leak in the ceiling.. I found a hole in the the bottom of a 3” horizontal copper drain line. I was thinking of splicing in a piece of pvc but the copper is pretty thin going back towards the fitting hub.

I was wondering if possibly I could get a rubber fitting that is designed for CI (or a fitting designed for this if such a fitting exists) that would fit over the hub in order to make the splice ? I’m sure this prob isn’t how this is designed to work and I’m not sure how the sizes match up but it’s an idea, I’m open to suggestions. Thank you,

 

[Reach4]

I am not a plumber. I suggest you get a digital caliper, and determine the OD of what you want to connect to on each end.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Scott G]

I am not a plumber. I suggest you get a digital caliper, and determine the OD of what you want to connect to on each end.

I guess that’s not a bad suggestion but I think I already know that the copper pipe od measures -3.125 and that there are rubber type couplers designed to fit it. I don’t know the Id of the rubber couplers available

What I’m not sure of is whether there is a rubber type coupler designed for or that will work over a 3” copper fitting hub. I’m assuming that there is a little room for clearance to be able to insert a copper pipe in a copper fitting and that along with the fitting wall thickness it would be s bit over 3.25” which is getting pretty close to the 3.30” od of 3” CI so that’s why I thought such an “animal” may be an option.

I would use 3” pvc to splice in so if I could go over the copper hub which I believe to be slightly over 3.25” and over 3” pvc at 3,5” od that would be great. Possibly a rubber fitting designed for 3” CI to 3” pvc would work? This is theoretical to me as I’ve never tried it and it hinges on my numbers and assumptions being correct.

I’m sure I’m not the first person with this problem or idea.. Further comments are welcome. Ty

 

[Scott G]

Photo added

I guess that’s not a bad suggestion but I think I already know that the copper pipe od measures -3.125 and that there are rubber type couplers designed to fit it. I don’t know the Id of the rubber couplers available

What I’m not sure of is whether there is a rubber type coupler designed for or that will work over a 3” copper fitting hub. I’m assuming that there is a little room for clearance to be able to insert a copper pipe in a copper fitting and that along with the fitting wall thickness it would be s bit over 3.25” which is getting pretty close to the 3.30” od of 3” CI so that’s why I thought such an “animal” may be an option.

I would use 3” pvc to splice in so if I could go over the copper hub which I believe to be slightly over 3.25” and over 3” pvc at 3,5” od that would be great. Possibly a rubber fitting designed for 3” CI to 3” pvc would work? This is theoretical to me as I’ve never tried it and it hinges on my numbers and assumptions being correct.

I’m sure I’m not the first person with this problem or idea.. Further comments are welcome. Ty

added photo

 

[Reach4]

The hub will be bigger than the pipe, since the pipe fits into the hub.

https://www.fernco.com/plumbing/shielded-couplings/proflex-couplings shows available stuff. Dimensions in the lower part.

PL means plastic, such as PVC pipe. Copper means copper pipe.

 

[Scott G]

Yes - I am aware of hub being marginally larger to accept pipe and fitting wall thickness additionally increases the od of the hub. That’s how I arrived at my numbers. Thx for the resource/ reference link.

If anyone has attempted this before I’d like to hear what coupler/fitting was used…

 

[Breplum]

All Crafts Epoxy Putty will do the trick.
Clean completely and slather on as thick as you can. https://www.ebay.com/itm/163639762325
You will thank me.

 

[John Gayewski]

I have done this on different sizes and it works. 3" I haven't tried.

 

[Weekend Handyman]

All Crafts Epoxy Putty will do the trick.
Clean completely and slather on as thick as you can. https://www.ebay.com/itm/163639762325
You will thank me.

Occam's razor

 

[Tuttles Revenge]

Where does the elbow go? Is that a closet flange with its 2or1.5" vent or a stack from upstairs? If its a closet flange, I would suggest replacing from that flange, the wye and the defect in one shot.

 

[Scott G]

Ended up just splicing in pvc wiith shielded rubber coupler over hub. Wasn’t really a big deal. Thx for the advice…