Soil Pipe Boss Rotation or Replacement

Hello all,

I'm currently in the middle or refurbishing the downstairs bathroom which has an internal soil pipe. I need to either rotate or replace the current boss as the socket for the toilet is 90 degree in the wrong direction. From what I have read rotating it will most like result in breaking the seal as I think it is glued in place.

The only problem I can see with replacing it is that the bottom of the boss is actually below the concrete floor so cutting it would be very tricky.

The other option I have thought about is cutting the pipe halfway up and lifting the cut pipe and boss out of the floor and replacing with some new pipe and a new boss. I am not sure though of how the pipe connects to the drain below and would be worried about damaging anything during removal or replacing.

Any advice?

Thanks

If it is glued on, believe me, you will never move it! Your only option would be to replace.

If need be you'll have to (carefully) excavate around it, trying to prevent any damage to the damp proof membrane below the concrete and cut then redo the pipework from there.

If it were glue there might be a chance of 'cracking' it, but if it was done properly it will be solvent-cemented/solvent-welded. Solvent cement dissolves/melts the surfaces of the pipe and fitting, and the 2 lots of 'gunge' weld together.

Thanks for the replies, had no internet for a week and only just got round to replying.

If I can get down to below the boss (which will be difficult) what would you recommend for cutting?

The gaps around the pipe are rather small (currently filled with expanding foam which I will remove) but the only thing I can think of is a dremmel, I dont think any other tool will fit below, not without digging up the floor and a dremmel wouldn't really be very good at getting a straight line.

How do the pipes normally connect to the main cermamic drain below the house? I am wondering if cutting the pipe higher up and fitting a new one would be easier?

Thanks

Connection to drain could be any type, may depend on age of the clay drainage underground. Older Salt Glazed pipes, could be cemented into a socket, (or simply placed into the socket!), even the two pipes butted together with a plastic bag wrapped round to seal it before being buried! Newer vitrified clay drainage then possible a proprietry coupler from v.c. to plastic was used.

Cutting it internally, a dremel maybe your only option. Other possibility, if you're able, is to cut the existing pipework off flush with the floor and then look at using a McApline DC-1 to join to the 'hole' in the floor, providing you can then accomodate required fitting to connect W.C. etc within the height constraints left.....

Sounds like there is no "easy" solution.

I'll have a go this weekend and try to find some form of solution.

Thanks for the helpful replies.

Easy way to cut the pipe, is with a thin nylon cord, pass it around the back of the pipe then saw it through by pulling the cord to and fro.

Get a couple of slip socket and you can re-use the branch