How to cut this pipe?

[mike42]

Hi

Trying to cut out this branch on the soil stack. I can easily get to the top of the branch but hopefully you can see that access to the bottom is pretty restricted. I can just get my multitool into the front of the pipe (well at an angle) and my dremel easily fits but really is at the wrong angle. Maybe if I cut a section above that might help somehow?

The 15mm copper pipes are also helpfully in the way. I'm ok with copper plumbing but really would be afraid to try and put a fitting down there - I'd probably set the stack alight knowing me!

As ever, any help much appreciated.

 

[blup]

A sharp handsaw?

Blup

 

[Mottie]

Look up a wire saw. Or, you could cut just below that outlet with a normal saw and when the elbow is removed, tap what’s left of the fitting up and off the lower pipe maybe.

 

[JimCrow]

An old handsaw and a blowlamp.

 

[mike42]

An old handsaw and a blowlamp.

Seriously? You mean heat the blade and just let it melt the pipe? Seems like it could be a good idea....

 

[mike42]

Look up a wire saw. Or, you could cut just below that outlet with a normal saw and when the elbow is removed, tap what’s left of the fitting up and off the lower pipe maybe.

Is it really possible with enough will and effort to separate the solvent weld fitting? I always thought the pipe and fitting "became one" when solvent welded.

 

[Mottie]

Is it really possible with enough will and effort to separate the solvent weld fitting? I always thought the pipe and fitting "became one" when solvent welded.

Didn’t think they used solvent weld on pipes/connectors/branches that size. Don’t they have rubber seals in the connectors? Can you twist that branch?

 

[Nige F]

I'm afraid that's a solvent joint - a few brands used it.

 

[Ian H]

Cut the whole front off the branch then you can cut the back of it from the front.

 

[mike42]

Cut the whole front off the branch then you can cut the back of it from the front.

Thanks that does seem like the best bet. That said, I've ordered a wire saw for tomorrow - perhaps I could try with that first?

What I mean is the front/back does sound like a methodical, foolproof way to do it and maybe the easiest but no harm to try with this wire saw first as recommended higher up?

I guess I'm gonna need some nose clips too

 

[Hot&Cold]

Trying to cut out this branch on the soil stack.

hi,is the existing vertical soil pipe going to be reused.if not butcher it all out.

 

[mike42]

hi,is the existing vertical soil pipe going to be reused.if not butcher it all out.

Yes I'm (trying!) to replace that branch with a double corner branch I've got. Looks like I'm going to be in for some "fun" at the weekend. Only plus point as I see it is that above that branch is dry with no pipes going in so I'm hoping that maybe I might be able to pull the stack up a bit to save messing further with slip connectors. Don't want to damage the stack on the roof though so not really sure about that.

 

[Hot&Cold]

You could with a lot of caution saw off the above joist branch to the joist level and then use your hand held multi tool with a round cutting disc (buy several) to cut inside the soil pipe to outwards it works .

stuff a metal guard around the copper pipes (wood saw blade ) and with some patience the multi tool saw will work,tidy the surfaces and extend as necessary

Happy plumbing

 

[mike42]

You could with a lot of caution saw off the above joist branch to the joist level and then use your hand held multi tool with a round cutting disc (buy several) to cut inside the soil pipe to outwards it works .

stuff a metal guard around the copper pipes (wood saw blade ) and with some patience the multi tool saw will work,tidy the surfaces and extend as necessary

Happy plumbing

Thanks for that and great idea about using an old saw as a guard. So order of play something like this?:

1/ saw off the near horizontal branch on the right to get better access to start cutting the main vertical pipe
2/ saw the vertical pipe above the fitting
3/ using the guard for the pipes cut just the pipe just above the joist and remove section
4/ then cut from inside using either oscilating multitool or rotating one (dremel in my case) and repeat to the required depth. That might even give me a chamfer for free...

Does that sounds right?

So its either do that or do as Ian H suggests. With no experience of soil pipes its hard for me to see which method would be easier.

 

[Ian H]

Do it my way