Is it OK to drill out a cast iron cap?
I would think that drilling and/or sawing out the old cast iron cap is going to be a giant pain in the rear, and will be likely to damage the cleanout fitting to the point where it needs to be replaced anyway. Make sure your cast iron stack is supported above before you cut it.
Can a cast iron clean out plug be loosened?
Cast iron has a tendency to rust, so drainpipe plugs that have not been removed in some time may seem molded to the pipe by rust. Loosening a cast iron clean-out plug from a drainpipe requires softening the rust enough to break it free. Spray the perimeter of the cast iron clean-out plug with penetrating lubricant.
What to use to clean out cast iron pipe?
Spray the perimeter of the cast iron clean-out plug with penetrating lubricant. Spray the seam between the plug and the inside of the cast iron pipe. Allow the penetrating lubricant to work for 30 minutes. Scrub the seam between the plug and the pipe with a steel wire brush.
What do old cast iron drain plugs do?
Many older homes still have old cast iron drain and sewer pipes rather than the PVC plastic pipes used in modern home construction. The end of the drain pipe has a removable cap plug. This plug allows access to the drain pipe for removing clogs and other obstructions.
How to loosen a cast iron drain plug?
Tighten one 18-inch pipe wrench onto the square nut on the top of the plug another around the drain pipe. Support the pipe with one wrench while you turn the nut counterclockwise with the other. Fit a 2-foot piece of 1-inch steel pipe over the handle of each wrench to give you more leverage if the nut won’t turn.
Spray the perimeter of the cast iron clean-out plug with penetrating lubricant. Spray the seam between the plug and the inside of the cast iron pipe. Allow the penetrating lubricant to work for 30 minutes. Scrub the seam between the plug and the pipe with a steel wire brush.
How to remove a sewer cleanout cap cover?
1 Heat up the cap to remove it – If the stuck cap is iron-made, use a propane torch to loosen the threads which have probably grown together with the cap. 2 Use a sledgehammer – Sometimes it is enough to tap the cap with a sledgehammer to loosen it. 3 Use a wrench to turn the nut of the plug counterclockwise.
Can a cast iron pipe be unscrewed?
The longer cast iron plumbing pipes sit in the ground, basement or crawl space without being disturbed, the more corroded and stuck their joints become. When you actually have to unscrew a fitting, it can be a major task.
