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Fernco coupling okay for underground sewer pipe?

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RogerT

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Apr 6, 2011, 10:23:38 AM4/6/11
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I am going to be replacing a small section of underground sewer pipe that
runs from the front of my house toward the street. The existing underground
sewer pipe is 4-inch cast iron. I will be using PVC to replace the line
from the front of my house and connecting to that sewer line about 5 feet
out.

Can I use a Fernco coupling to connect the new PVC to the old underground
cast iron sewer pipe?

If not, how is that type of connection usually made?


dpb

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Apr 6, 2011, 10:47:45 AM4/6/11
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That's how...

--

JIMMIE

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Apr 6, 2011, 10:49:04 AM4/6/11
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I would check with manufacturer and local codes on this . My neighbor
used one as you said a few years ago and it ripped when they filled
the trench. He didnt know until his toilet started backing up a couple
of days later. Dont know if that is a problem with using coupling
underground or an installation problem. I think they may have
disturbed the ground under the new pipe too much.

Jimmie

bob haller

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Apr 6, 2011, 11:01:38 AM4/6/11
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ferncos are used here. in replacing the line its important to fill the
trench with sand or gravel before placing line and get the slope
right and the line properly supported along its entire length, and
cover the new line the same as the bottom before backfilling espically
if the line is extra deep, you dont want to drop big rocks on the new
line.

kinda common sense things but lots of folks lack common sense:(

hr(bob) hofmann@att.net

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Apr 6, 2011, 11:01:43 AM4/6/11
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You could always put a larger diameter piece of solid plastic pipe
around the Fernco to keep from damaging the Fernco. .

JIMMIE

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Apr 6, 2011, 11:17:43 AM4/6/11
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I kind of leaned more toward a screw up as the most likely cause too.
I bet if the OP googles bury Fernco he will get all the info he needs.

Jimmie

JIMMIE

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Apr 6, 2011, 11:30:09 AM4/6/11
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OK I went ahead and goggled. Coupling should have a shear shield when
buried . This is a stainless steel band that wraps around the coupling
From the looks of things this come with the coupling and is not an add-
on.

Jimmie

RogerT

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Apr 6, 2011, 11:55:43 AM4/6/11
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Thanks. I did try doing Google searches before posting, but I hadn't tried
Googling for "bury Fernco". I too, did that after reading your first post,
and that produced a lot of good information. I also saw some suggestions to
use a shielded Fernco coupling.

I then went to http://www.fernco.com and
http://www.fernco.com/plumbing/shielded-couplings to see what they look like
and what they are for etc. I'm going to go back and do more reading at the
main Fernco site because I saw lnks there for FAQ's, videos, etc.

Thanks.


Jon Danniken

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Apr 6, 2011, 2:35:42 PM4/6/11
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I installed two ferncos on a four inch ID concrete line about 10 years ago,
and they are still holding up fine. The reason was to install a cleanout,
as the existing one had been covered in concrete when the homeowner
purchased the property.

I backfilled it with 3/4 minus, and then dirt making up to ground level. .
No problems, and nothing has moved or shifted since installation.

Jon


Colbyt

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Apr 6, 2011, 4:33:52 PM4/6/11
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"RogerT" <Rog...@kjhgfghj.jkh> wrote in message
news:inht1e$igq$1...@dont-email.me...

There is one that is code approved for concealed locations and burial. I
always have to ask at the supply house to be sure I get the right one. I
think it is the one with the full metal sleeve but you better ask some one
in your area just to be safe.

Colbyt


cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Apr 6, 2011, 4:54:54 PM4/6/11
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On Wed, 6 Apr 2011 08:01:38 -0700 (PDT), bob haller <hal...@aol.com>
wrote:

An MJ is better than a standard Fernco. It has a metal sleeve to
protect it and give it some rigidity. Not sure of the size/adapter
availability though.

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Apr 6, 2011, 4:56:24 PM4/6/11
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Called an MJ (Mechanical Joint)

RicodJour

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Apr 6, 2011, 6:31:48 PM4/6/11
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On Apr 6, 4:56 pm, cl...@snyder.on.ca wrote:
> On Wed, 6 Apr 2011 08:30:09 -0700 (PDT), JIMMIE
>
> >OK I went ahead and goggled. Coupling should have a shear shield when
> >buried . This is a stainless steel band that wraps around the coupling
> >From the looks of things this come with the coupling and is not an add-
> >on.
>
>
> Called an MJ (Mechanical Joint)

That's a really odd term as all flexible coupling joints are
mechanical joints. The only term I've ever heard used for a shielded
flexible coupling is shielded flexible coupling. ;)

http://www.fernco.com/plumbing/shielded-couplings
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/flexible-fittings/fittings/plumbing/ecatalog/N-a85Z1z0ytb9
and that's the ASTM term as well:
http://www.astm.org/Standards/C1541.htm

R

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Apr 6, 2011, 6:51:40 PM4/6/11
to

look at http://www.fergusonfire.com/pdfs/Sec58.pdf

take a look at Metro Supply --
http://www.metrosupply.ca/catalog/519410
They list both the Fernco flex and MJ products.


Fernco calls them "Proflex" oand "sheilded couplings" as well on
their website.
Another Ferco product is the "strongback", as well as the "no hub".

All of these are generically referred to by all the plumbing supply
houses around here as "MJ"s, and that's how I was introduced to them
by my old plumber friend ED the first time I ran into an application
where one was needed. He just said "call Marks' and ask them for an MJ
for sizeX PVC to size Y copper"

Problem solved.

Evan

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Apr 6, 2011, 7:13:49 PM4/6/11
to
On Apr 6, 10:23 am, "RogerT" <Rog...@kjhgfghj.jkh> wrote:


What do local codes say about your use of PVC in sewer run that is
presently cast iron ?

Would there be a problem obtaining cast iron piping and patching
whatever pipe has given way ?

Since you are already digging up the pipe why not replace the
entire run, as it gets expensive to dig it up and repair it 4' at a
time...

~~ Evan

RogerT

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Apr 6, 2011, 8:27:39 PM4/6/11
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"bob haller" <hal...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:6e6d5dd0-4c58-4730...@z37g2000vbl.googlegroups.com...

On Apr 6, 10:49 am, JIMMIE <JIMMIEDEE...@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> On Apr 6, 10:23 am, "RogerT" <Rog...@kjhgfghj.jkh> wrote:
>
> > I am going to be replacing a small section of underground sewer pipe
> > that
> > runs from the front of my house toward the street. The existing
> > underground
> > sewer pipe is 4-inch cast iron. I will be using PVC to replace the line
> > from the front of my house and connecting to that sewer line about 5
> > feet
> > out.
>
> > Can I use a Fernco coupling to connect the new PVC to the old
> > underground
> > cast iron sewer pipe?
>
> > If not, how is that type of connection usually made?

ferncos are used here. in replacing the line its important to fill the


trench with sand or gravel before placing line and get the slope
right and the line properly supported along its entire length, and
cover the new line the same as the bottom before backfilling espically
if the line is extra deep, you dont want to drop big rocks on the new
line.

kinda common sense things but lots of folks lack common sense:(

++++++++++

Thanks. I found this article which includes info on how to do the back
filling after the new pipe goes in:
http://www.cispi.org/handbook/chapter6.pdf .

And on one of the Google searches I did, someone wrote something similar
about surrounding the pipe with sand or clean dirt in areas that are rocky
to prevent sharp rocks from damaging the pipe.

So, what you wrote is correct and worth noting even if it is common sense.

RicodJour

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Apr 6, 2011, 8:54:30 PM4/6/11
to
On Apr 6, 6:51 pm, cl...@snyder.on.ca wrote:

> On Wed, 6 Apr 2011, RicodJour <ricodj...@worldemail.com> wrote:
> >On Apr 6, 4:56 pm, cl...@snyder.on.ca wrote:
> >> On Wed, 6 Apr 2011 08:30:09 -0700 (PDT), JIMMIE
>
> >> >OK I went ahead and goggled. Coupling should have a shear shield when
> >> >buried . This is a stainless steel band that wraps around the coupling
> >> >From the looks of things this come with the coupling and is not an add-
> >> >on.
>
> >> Called an MJ (Mechanical Joint)
>
> >That's a really odd term as all flexible coupling joints are
> >mechanical joints.  The only term I've ever heard used for a shielded
> >flexible coupling is shielded flexible coupling.  ;)
>
> >http://www.fernco.com/plumbing/shielded-couplings
> >http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/flexible-fittings/fittings/plumbing/...

> >and that's the ASTM term as well:
> >http://www.astm.org/Standards/C1541.htm
>
>
> look at http://www.fergusonfire.com/pdfs/Sec58.pdf
>
> take a look at Metro Supply -- http://www.metrosupply.ca/catalog/519410
> They list both the Fernco flex and MJ products.
>
> Fernco calls them  "Proflex"  oand  "sheilded couplings" as well on
> their website.
> Another Ferco product is the "strongback", as well as the "no hub".
>
> All of these are generically referred to by all the plumbing supply
> houses around here as "MJ"s, and that's how I was introduced to them
> by my old plumber friend ED the first time I ran into an application
> where one was needed. He just said "call Marks' and ask them for an MJ
> for sizeX PVC to size Y copper"
>
> Problem solved.

My point was that using a local term and pronouncing it as the defacto
standard term on a nationwide, or larger, stage, is of dubious
benefit. Doubly so as you are in Canada and the OP is in the US.

R

DanG

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Apr 7, 2011, 2:48:12 AM4/7/11
to
It would be much better to use a "no hub clamp". These have a
stainless steel band in addition to the rubber and band clamps.
They are much better about keeping the pipes in line and not
allowing the pipe ends to misalign. These work quite well on cast
iron to PVC connections.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DanG
Keep the whole world singing . . .


"RogerT" <Rog...@kjhgfghj.jkh> wrote in message
news:inht1e$igq$1...@dont-email.me...

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Apr 7, 2011, 12:17:43 PM4/7/11
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MOST places PREFER PVC to C!.

Steve Barker

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Apr 7, 2011, 1:57:41 PM4/7/11
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On 4/6/2011 9:23 AM, RogerT wrote:

when i had a similar situation, i drove about 10' of 3" INTO the 4" cast
and that was the extent of my connection. MY connection was under a
basement floor, so being out in the yard where little tree roots can
(and will) go anywhere, you might want to pack such a connection with
tar and wrap with some asphalt shingles or something to prevent the root
infiltration.

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

Evan

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Apr 7, 2011, 4:20:07 PM4/7/11
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That's crap... If that were the case any work done to the line
would require its replacement with PVC...

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Apr 7, 2011, 9:25:52 PM4/7/11
to


Well, if your house has cast iron sewer pipe and stack, MANY insurance
companies will NOT write you a policy for new business without having
it replaced.
ANd any time sewer lines are replaced here they are NOT replaced with
cast iron - not Transite (or cement) either. The only thing used
around here is PLASTIC - both inside the house and underground.

Message has been deleted

JIMMIE

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Apr 8, 2011, 8:52:48 AM4/8/11
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On Apr 8, 2:08 am, billyh...@heehaw.com wrote:
> Wrap about 200 layers of duct tape around them.  I saw this on one of
> them redneck home improvement shows.  They ran a pipe from the
> outhouse pit to the kids swimming pool so the pool would get filled up
> for the kids.  I guess they said the bathtub was plugged in their
> trailer house so they needed a place to wash the kids, the huntin
> dogs, and a place to clean blood out of the dead possums then dun
> shot.  Maybe it was the Red Green shown I dont recall.  

Pretty common to butt the two pipes together and mix up a couple of
bags of Sakrete and dump it on the joint.

Jimmie

leonet...@gmail.com

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Sep 17, 2016, 9:31:28 PM9/17/16
to
Yes. But have to be a fernco with a shear ban.

Metrmanmichael

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May 14, 2022, 3:45:08 PM5/14/22
to
I know this post is 11yrs old, but you are supposed to use black ABS pipe for sewer lines. Not PVC. Then you can use a fenco coupler. They work great. Just make sure the pipe is pushed all the way in the sleeve.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/fernco-coupling-okay-for-underground-sewer-pipe-628935-.htm

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