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Anyone here know of a way to loosen up ABS cemented pipe? Im thinking about doing some remodling downstairs (adding a bathroom) and I would need to turn a 4 inch black ABS T around to do what I want to. Is there any sort of chemical that will loosen this stuff up? (I can't cut it, as it right at floor level and I believe its concrete right below it (not sure though)

Its my main sewage drain leaving my house. any clever product suggestions?

I do believe there is no way to "unglue" pvc or abs pipe. The cement used actually bonds/melts the plastic together creating a permenant bond. I'd say your best bet would be to cut it and find a coupler to fit to reconnect/change direction.

What the man with the distracting avatar said.


You can either cut further down the line and use a coupler and a new T joint, or just work around the weird pipe.

Plastic pipes are basically welded together. What you consider a glue is in reality a chemical that disolves the surfaces of both the pipe and the fitting so that the material bonds together much like a weld. That is why you cannot properly bond abs plastic with pvc plastic as they reguire different chemicals to temporarily disolve the product.

More than you wanted to know eh?

Well the best suggestion has already been made. Cut the fitting at a height above floor that will allow you to use a mechanical means (something sometimes called an MJ clamp) to affect a seal between it and the new fitting you will need to use to replace the cut one. Or abandon the plan entirely and go riding.

Besides, the fitting you want to turn around is probably a cleanout, installed to allow access for when/if the drain ever needs clearing due to blockage. Might be a bad idea to not leave it in place.

Garry

old-n-slow wrote:Plastic pipes are basically welded together. What you consider a glue is in reality a chemical that disolves the surfaces of both the pipe and the fitting so that the material bonds together much like a weld. That is why you cannot properly bond abs plastic with pvc plastic as they reguire different chemicals to temporarily disolve the product.

I work at a hardware store and we sell one kind of cement that works on both PVC and ABS, though I don't know how well it'd bond both together.

I suggest cutting and replacing with a Fernco fitting (it's black rubber with hoseclamps on either end) after you're finished with whatever remodeling you're doing. So long as this is the drainage portion it should be ok, though I do not suggest using a Fernco fitting with the drinking water as the pressure would cause blowouts.

this project is on hold (the wife decided she didnt want another bathroom (go figure THAT out )

I did remove the old toilet from the line, cut and capped the pipe with about a foot and a half pipe still remaining on the T, just in case I want to pursure this project again (re: wife changes her mind.)