9 Basic Steps in Installing Drain Pipes

When the drain pipes in your home leak waste water can infiltrate the interior of your home which can damage cabinetry and walls as well as lead to the development of molds. However, in terms of repairing plastic drain pipes and cast iron, the materials needed are quite cheap and you have the option to rent these repair tools if you don’t want to buy them. You can also learn the fundamentals of cutting, gluing and connecting plastic and metal drain pipes so you can deal with small and large leaks on your own. Here are some steps to install drain pipes.

1. Use a hack saw to cut pipes.

2. Rub emery cloth around the pipe’s cut ends. This will eliminate debris and burrs from the surface of the pipe. The plastic shavings and residue from the pipe ends and the fitting’s interior must be wiped using a clean cloth.

3. Unscrew the pipe-welding cap of the cement canister. The brush attached to the cap’s underside should be dipped into the cement. Apply a cement coating to the pipe’s exterior and the interior of the corresponding fitting of the pipe.

4. Insert the fitting into the pipe’s end. The fitting must be twisted in a quarter turn then it should be held in place for about 30 seconds. The joint must be allowed to cure for 5 minutes before the fitting’s opposite side will be glued.

5. Cut cast iron drainpipe. The cutting should be based on the desired length using a chop saw or chain cutting tool that has a metal-cutting blade.

6. Rub the cast iron pipe’s end. You must do this with the use of an emery cloth or metal file so that burrs will be removed. A clean cloth should be used to wipe the pipe’s end to eliminate residue and shavings.

7. Slip a drain connector over the cast iron pipe’s end. The connector should be shimmied until it will be completely insert over the end of the pipe. You need to tighten the pipe clamp of the connector by turning the screw of the clamp using a slotted screwdriver.

8. Insert another cast iron pipe into the drain connector’s other side. The pipe must be slid into the connector making sure that it will butt against the center divider of the connector.

9. The clamp should be tightened around the pipe. This can be done by turning the clamp screw of the connector.