|
- over 450,000 plumbing related posts
The very popular general plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, pump problems, questions and answers discussion Forum
|
Author:
DuklasJT (WI)
What is the best way to connect to 4 " cast iron under a slab for toilet only? Are Fernco wye's under a slab within codes in WI?
|
|
|
Author:
packy
2 band variety may be acceptable but i feel safer with the 4 band underground.

|
|
|
Author:
hj
as far as most plumbers are concerned, Fernco fittings are strictly a "temporary" DIY fix, and should NEVER be used underground or anywhere else they are inaccessible. And there is more to installing a toilet than just putting a "Y" in the pipe.
Edited 1 times.
|
|
|
Author:
DuklasJT (WI)
So the 4 band wye connector would be the best in your opinion Packy?
|
|
|
Author:
DuklasJT (WI)
HJ thanks but I don't want to know what I can't or shouldn't do. I want to know the best way to connect to a 4" CI.
|
|
|
Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
i use fernco's all the time underground...its a SS clamp....if it ever leaks a drop per hour who would ever know....they fit TIGHT and will hold.....i use a clampall for higher risk area's (inside walls), but for exposed areas and underground fernco's are all i use...
i would use a PVC Y not a fernco y
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
ct's, fernco's as you all call them, are not good to use as they allow to much movement between the to pipe ends and thus have a huge potential to create "snag" points where used especially underground!
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|
Author:
packy
use a cast iron "Y". you will need....
a 4 x 3 no hub "Y"
two 4" 4 band couplings
one 3" 4 band coupling (transition from cast iron to plastic)
the "Y" looks like this...

|
|
|
Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
lead and oakum
----
Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
|
|
|
Author:
hj
You use a cast iron fitting, "Y" combo or whichever one is best, and No-Hub couplings. I am sure that was one of the options you considered before looking at a Fernco rubber "Y". You do not need 4 band couplings, nor should you use all rubber Ferncos.
|
|
|
Author:
hj
I can guarantee you that if a "drop" can get out, a root WILL get in, and the definition of character is doing the right thing even if no one, such as an inspector, is watching you.
|
|
|
Author:
hj
Packy assumes he will use 3" for his toilet, and a cast iron fitting in your line would have looked "neater" and taken less space.
|
|
|
Author:
hj
And how is HE going to get it into the system. He wouldn't know how to "cock" it in, and he probably wouldn't be lucky enough to have a downstream hub to insert it into.
|
|
|
Author:
packy
that would not pass inspection in massachusetts.
we must insert the same material into a pipe. cast iron into cast iron, copper into copper etc..
once the tee or wye is installed, we may then transition to any other material.
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
so whats the difference?
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|
Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
dlh trans coupling use is also limited here.Although a fernco all rubber coupling is the use coupling,when going from metal to plastic tubing it may not be allowed to trans back.
----
Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
|
|
|
Author:
WilsonPlmg (OH)
Just passed inspection today doing that.
======================================================
Good Plumbing is not cheap and cheap Plumbing is not Good. Take the extra two minutes to do it right!!
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
again, what difference does it make?
imo there is no difference other than preference which has nothing to do with function
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|
Author:
hj
Here, and most places, a transition coupling is the ONLY permitted way to connect different materials, and the all rubber "Fernco" coupling is NOT allowed anywhere inside the building, above or below ground. The inspectors prefer that the inserted fitting be the same material, that way they can insure that the i.d. surfaces line up and are not compromised by materials with different wall thicknesses.
|
|
|
Author:
hj
And sometimes a blind squirrel finds an acorn, but it depends on the inspector and how they interpret the code.
|
|
|
Author:
hj
It may have a lot to do with function. If the pipes have the same o.d., but different wall thicknesses, then the i.d. is going to create a "ridge" where the two pipes meet.
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
well that deserves a, DUH !
why would a plumber use pipe with different i.d.'s ?
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|
Author:
hj
Bercause that is the way they are made. Thin wall PVC has a larger i.d. than sch. 40, unless it is S&D in which case the i.d. is the same but the o.d. is smaller. Sch.80, also has a smaller i.d. than sch. 40, so mixing materials CAN cause changes in flow patterns. IF the plastic has a different i.d. than the cast iron there will be snag areas.
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
again, DUH!
again, why would a plumber use a material with a different i.d. ? as you said, a different i.d. will create a snag area thus i, as a plumber, will use materials with compatible i.d.'s to make sure i dont have snag areas
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|
Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
dlh.If you have wrinkle in a no hub band.It should fail inspection!Does it?
----
Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
if the inspector catches it it will
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|
Author:
hj
And THAT is why the inspectors want the same material for the tie in fitting. Because THEY CANNOT see the inside of the pipe to detect if it was done properly. They know if you did not change materials, then there is no problem inside the pipe. And YOU are assuming ALL plumbers are competent and trustworthy.
|
|
|
Author:
hj
quote; if the inspector catches it it will
HUH? Does that mean you WILL not change, or repair, it if the inspector misses it? You have just made my case. It won't happen with the proper fittings.
|
|
|
Author:
dlh (TX)
i have seen many crushed/deformed no hub bands used with no hub pipe so that means little to nothing and i dont take chances, if the band doesnt look good to me i will fix/replace it before i ever call for the inspection but there are others that wont
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
|
|
|