Old Lead P Pipe

[jgrisard]

This is my first post here, so forgive me for any misspellings....I have a old P Pipe from the upstairs bath tub that is rotting out as can be seen from the picture. I'm trying to figure out how to replace it. The pipe goes through a floor joist into the bathroom encased in concrete then joins the sink drain and toilet drain. I'm trying to avoid cutting the tile in bathroom.

I was thinking about cutting the P Pipe at as it enters the floor joist. Then reaming the floor joist around the pipe so I can get a coupler or another P pipe on it and secure it.

I measure the circumference of existing P pipe it measured 7 inches..So I figure the diameter is 2.22 or 21/4?



I did try Epoxy Putty sticks and they worked for awhile but its time to replace this one. Pipe is old lead. House was built in 1932

Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[Jeff Handy]

Some of that copper or brass above the lead trap might fall apart or leak after getting that lead trap off of there, so plan for that.

 

[jgrisard]

Thanks, yes I should replace everything while I have the ceiling open

 

[frodo]

show us the other side of that floor joist,
so we can see where to cut the pipe

 

[jgrisard]

Thats my dilemma the other side is concrete.. To get to it I would need to rip up the bathroom tile and chip the concrete. My only access to this is what you see in the picture.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Your new p trap will likely be a lot thinner, you might not have to enlarge that notch in the joist much, or at all.

You might want to try to add another piece of lumber as a “sister” to reinforce the joist with the big notch. Glued and screwed to it, lined up with the bottom edge, as wide a board as will fit, and several feet long, a foot or so on both sides of that notch cut out for the old lead trap.
After all the new drain work is finished.

Hopefully, you can attach new to old with a coupling something like this, there are lots of various diameters, and types to join different sizes and materials of drain piping together with just rubber and clamping pressure.

https://www.amazon.com/Fernco-PNH-22-2-Inch-Standard-Coupling/dp/B000BQ8ALY

 

[jgrisard]

Thanks Jeff, that helps out and looks like my only solution.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Where is the tub in relation to this trap?

I guess you pbly will have to increase the notch, but any transition fitting will need to have clamps tightened, it seems impossible to do just working inside the notch.

Pros will advise better than me.

 

[jgrisard]

Tub is right above, the brass pipe to right is the tub drain..thx

 

[Jeff Handy]

You might need to work from above and below, on the other side of that joist, and drill a series of holes through the concrete to create a large enough box to be broken out to be able to attach a transition fitting over there.

Then attach a wood patch from below, pour concrete from above, and put something compatible in the scar on the floor.
Even a fancy fake heating vent, sitting over concrete.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Tub is right above exactly where and in what orientation?

If you are needing to just excavate under the end of the tub, that should not affect any tile.

 

[jgrisard]

Thanks for the input, I will get better pictures tomorrow of the bathroom floor and where the tub is in relationship to this. Once you see the pictures you will see that it will be major demolition to get to the pipe. I'm thinking my only access without tearing up everything is right where you see it in the picture.. I'll post tomorrow..Thx

 

[frodo]

Option

Head off the joist.
Do you know carpenter work? skills?

You can head that joist off.
here is a drawing

 

[jgrisard]

Yes, thanks, I am familiar with how to do that...appreciate the input.

 

[frodo]

tearing out the tub bis going to open up a big expensive can of worms

but you have to get to the other side of that joist to replace the trap

if you do decide to tear out the tub
their is a product called cultured marble tub surround it is 3 marble walls
about 8 hundred
lot cheaper than rock and a tile guy