Retrofit Access to Soil Stack

[skwdenyer]

Hi there. I'm taking on a building which has recently had a new soil stack installed. Unfortunately, no access was put in at ground level, for rodding and/or manometer tests etc. Building Control were also not involved, but are now, so I need to be able to test the stack, for which I need access. And, yes, I know that ideally this would be somebody else's problem, but it isn't.

The stack is a new solvent-weld, black, plastic type. It is a vertical run, with multiple WCs and other wastes entering at various levels; it is 5 stories tall.

Obviously I could take the whole thing down and re-build, but that will take a long time, and involve serious scaffolding.

I read somewhere else that 'strap-on' or other retrofit access points / inspection covers might be available, but I'm having trouble in tracking anything like this down. Can anybody point me in the right direction?

Alternatively, with this material, what is the feasibility of cutting-out a section of stack, installing a suitable access point, and then finding an appropriate fitting to join everything back together?

Thanks!

 

[tweakyboy]

You could use a glue on access saddle. Osma do one in black, here is the product details.

OSMA - Plastic Plumbing & Drainage Products - Access Fittings - Soil,WC,soil and waste,waste pipe,waste and traps,plastic soil pipe,soil and vent,toilet,aav

 

[woodsy]

Cut a section out, insert an acess pipe and then join back together with a slip coupler.

 

[stevetheplumber]

fernco rubbers and an access pipe springs to mind

 

[kirkgas]

fernco or timesaver and inspection

 

[skwdenyer]

Thank you for the suggestions. The Access Saddle looks like a good idea to avoid disturbing too much elsewhere. From inspection, it looks like I should offer up the saddle to the pipe, mark the interior cut-out required, cut out with a hole saw, and then solvent-weld in place. I imagine cable ties to hold it tightly in position whilst welding would be a good idea? Does this require any additional support, in the manner of a strap-on boss?

Thanks ever so much.

 

[Plumb4fun]

Hi all, Im new here just wanted to add my thoughts, strap on glued boss is best way, dont like the look of those rubber hose type things they always look temp to me. plus you hav eto consider weight of stack sitting on it. (5 stories tall??)

 

[jase158]

obviously the above is best for permanent solution, but could he just take a toilet out, connect an access cap on the pipe (push fit) and test, then put toilet back, just to test?

 

[skwdenyer]

obviously the above is best for permanent solution, but could he just take a toilet out, connect an access cap on the pipe (push fit) and test, then put toilet back, just to test?

Building Control Officer has told me that he wants to see an access at the base of the stack, so that the whole stack is tested. Lowest WC (which is lowest inlet to soil stack) is on half-landing (floor 0.5 if you see what I mean), base of stack is in the base of a light well at basement level. So there's 1.5 stories of stack between the two, which would be 'untested' in this scenario.