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January 7, 2008
Sewer Caps
I have an issue in my basement where I smell a faint odor of sewage. I found it to be coming from my sewer caps. The caps are so rusted that the they can't be threaded back on. I was told to get some 4" lead caps and bang them into place. My question is whether or not this is a good idea and if so, where do I get them and what are they called?
Additionally, I was told to replace the cover of the whole area (it's sunk into the ground about 12 inches with a lip to hold the cover) with something other than the piece of plywood that is there currently with something sturdier like a metal hatch of sorts. Any ideas of what should be used for this and where to go get it?
Thanks for your help.
Comments
If you're getting noticeable odors you may need to snake the sewer main of tree roots. We get an odor only when the roots get thick in there. Even if your sewer main isn't cracked you'll still have very fine, small roots that make their way in through joints in the pipe. We ourselves snake ours every 6 months just to avoid slow draining and odors.
Also, you should make sure you have proper traps, bends in pipes, because they hold water in them and something like keep air/gases/odor from coming up. Ask a plumber about it.
Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 3:39 PM
I'm dealing with the same exact problem. Had a plumber come over this weekend and was told that it is best to replace the trap not just the caps. I was told that the caps cannot be replaced on the old iron traps. Not sure if this is true or not but hopefully my plumber is not lying to me. lol My guess is that since a plumber does this type of work a plumbing supply store will have what you are looking for. Good luck.
Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 3:40 PM
The person who told me to do this is a Master Plumber (Not Master Plvmber)and for some reason I guess he wanted to save me some $ so he suggested that I do what I described. Unfortunately, I wasn't home at the time, so I couldn't ask him these questions directly.
After looking at it, he didn't mention that I would need to have it snaked out.
If need be, I'll call him back and ask him, but I figured I would ask here first.
I may opt to have him come back and do the job (Either replace the traps or install the lead caps), but if it is simple, I'll give it a try myself.
Posted by: pwhite at January 7, 2008 4:14 PM
There are inflatable rubber "stoppers" or caps that can remedy the problem of a rusty unworkable stopper. They come in a few different sizes and you stick them in and inflate them with an air compressor or pump. I haven't looked for them here in NYC so can't help on where to get them.
Certainly professional plumbing supply houses will know...maybe even Home Depot or Loews
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 7, 2008 4:19 PM
Getting the old caps out (plugs, really) is difficult.
Hammering new lead "fit-all" plugs in will be refreshingly easy.
Measure the width across the openings to determine the size plugs you need (probably 3-1/2" or 4") and any plumbing supply store will have them on hand.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at January 7, 2008 4:20 PM
Thanks. Fortunately, the plugs are actually unscrewed already, so it sounds like I have an easy job. I will give the "fit-all" plugs a try...
Does anyone have any suggestions on a cover to replace the plywood? A picture may help which I will post tomorrow if this is too hard to understand...
Thanks a lot again!
Posted by: pwhite at January 7, 2008 4:32 PM
We had the same issue of sewer odor in the basement. It turned out there were some hairline cracks along the pipe, the closest one was right at the beginning of the pipe, by the wall. At first we thought it was the sewer caps, or a clogged line as well. We hired a guy with the video cam, and found the problem that way. We opted for the trenchless method of relining the pipe. It's really interesting the way it is done, and basically you have a new pipe within a pipe. First try replacing the caps, then snake out the line. If you continue to get the odor, you could have some cracks in the line, and the odor is coming through the wall. After we had the pipe re-lined, we kept the pit open for months, before putting the plywood cover back over it, and there was never any odor coming from the pipe.
Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 4:36 PM
Master Plumber - Can you think of any reason why the plumber I deal with insisted that the trap needs to be replaced as opposed to just replacing the cap? He gave me a quote of $1,900 for replacing the trap and installing a metal trap door. Is this reasonable or am I being taken. Thanks. 3:40 Poster
Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 4:41 PM
BTW: Don't rent out the basement.
Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 6:46 PM
Guest 4:41,
I can't imagine without seeing it. Wanna post a pic?
Posted by: Master Plvmber at January 7, 2008 11:16 PM
Master Plvmber - Thanks for responding, as always. I do not live at the house so do not have a photo to post. I did leave a message late this afternoon for the plumber asking if his plan is the most cost effective way to resolve the issue and am sure I will get a call back tomorrow morning. Thanks again. 4:41 Poster
Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 11:46 PM
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