rusted threads on pipe
by
Charlotte M
+3
when my gen. contractor was installing a new vanity sink he discovered rusted threads on the existing pipe. What should he do to get a secure connection?
6 answers
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Are these treads on the supply lines or the drain. Drain is simple, use a rubber Fernco coupling that has two hose clamps and make your connection. For water supply, most times you cannot successfully fix these threads. If they are galvanized pipes, you should carefully remove the pipe nipple out of the elbow within the wall and put in a new brass nipple to replace. The bigger issue is that with steel pipes such as this, once you touch the first fitting the next one in line tends to start leaking. And this keeps going and going until your back in the basement changing out all the rest. A small amount of heat if possible which requires opening the wall sometimes is needed with a careful turning of the pipe until it comes loose and out. You can try to re-thread this nipple by renting a threading tool from rental shop and fix the existing threads and add a few threads to end. If you go that route use lots of oil when threading and lots of compound and tape when putting on new fitting. Regardless of what ever you do, Take your time. If you rush you will replace.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on May 11, 2012
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Likely you mean the drain. The way I see it, if it's rusting thin there, it's likely to be rusting thin on down the line. The best advice I could give you is to open up the wall and get rid of the galvanized drain w/ PVC. You may use the rubber Ferncos now and fix the immediate problem but, later the drain will start leaking elsewhere and you'll have to get into the wall anyway. I just don't see the point of pulling the vanity twice!
Plumber26
on May 11, 2012
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Thank you so much for your suggestions. I fear that major replacements may be needed soon. What type of professional should I consult ? The house is about 50 years old and I am considerably older. A retirement facility is probably in my near future. Should I undergo the expense so that I can sell the house with a clean conscience?
Charlotte M
on May 11, 2012
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is it cooper if so they make fittings called gator grips u just push them on they r easy and good
Joey C
on May 11, 2012
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Well regardless of what you do to make the home better, who ever goes to purchase it will do a home inspection on it. And if the inspector is worth his or her salt, they will find issues that they will want you to fix. I would first get a professional inspection done on the home. This person can help you create a job jar of sorts outlining what most inspectors will find issue with. Then with the aid of a local realtor, he or she can guide you on what really matters to be fixed and what you can tell the future buyers to take a hike on. Do not worry about having a clean conscience on the sale. Just be honest with the disclosure after you take care of what issues the inspector finds, and you will be fine. No matter how well you maintain your home, they will attempt to make you thing its not worth what your selling it for. And with that they will want you to feel bad enough to lower the price or do additional repairs. Having the inspection done, you will really understand exactly what is wrong and what is just plain bunk. In any case, a good quality plumber should be able to make this repair for you without tearing into the rest of the plumbing system. If the person is not really an experienced plumber, then you could be in for additional repairs not really needed but caused by incorrect methods of repair.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on May 12, 2012
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Thank you Woodbridge Environmental. I am following up on the Femco coupling. I had a professional inspection done on the house about 3 years ago. The main issues as I recall were need for GGCIs an repairing mortar in the front steps. The only plumbing issues were the overflow channels in the bathroom sinks. As Gilda Radner said, "It's always something."
Charlotte M
on May 12, 2012
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