Thread: Joining sewer terracotta to PVC Plumbquick

Originally Posted by Compleat Repeat

All, about 15 years ago I replaced all the external terracotta sewerage line with PVC. Months of excavation, a day for the plumber, lucky him.
The PVC is joined to terracotta at the slab boundary with a plumbquick. It now has roots in it as I didn't concrete the junction as it appears I should have.
What's the best and most permanent solution for sealing the plumbquick? Concrete? Concrete plus sealant? Something else?
Not looking forward to the excavation, but that's a different moan.
Cheers

Do you need to excavate it or can they clear the roots through the pipe ?

Originally Posted by Compleat Repeat

All, about 15 years ago I replaced all the external terracotta sewerage line with PVC. Months of excavation, a day for the plumber, lucky him.
The PVC is joined to terracotta at the slab boundary with a plumbquick. It now has roots in it as I didn't concrete the junction as it appears I should have.
What's the best and most permanent solution for sealing the plumbquick? Concrete? Concrete plus sealant? Something else?
Not looking forward to the excavation, but that's a different moan.
Cheers

Roots get through concrete as well.
Best bet is run plumbers and roofers silicone around the pipe before fitting the plumbquik fitting.
And make sure the clamp is tight.
I found it always paid to go back 30 minutes later for a nip up of the clamp.
Once you have made the repair kill off/poison the tree roots.

So my current Plumber tells me plumqwik's only last 5-10 years so you have done well, after that they break down and the roots grow though them, I have the same problem only mine is all PVC (was used to fix a break)
if you can, remove it and use a PVC joiner and Silicone on the Terracotta.

Originally Posted by China

So my current Plumber tells me plumqwik's only last 5-10 years so you have done well, after that they break down and the roots grow though them, I have the same problem only mine is all PVC (was used to fix a break)
if you can, remove it and use a PVC joiner and Silicone on the Terracotta.

Plumbing Inspectors in greater Brisbane area were making plumbers wrap them in duct tape as an extra precaution, but that was 20 + years ago.
Above ground they break down if not painted to protect from UV.

If you decide on concrete as extra insurance, add BondCrete to the water and an extra 20% cement to the mix, all to make it extra water tight

Originally Posted by China

So my current Plumber tells me plumqwik's only last 5-10 years so you have done well, after that they break down and the roots grow though them, I have the same problem only mine is all PVC (was used to fix a break)
if you can, remove it and use a PVC joiner and Silicone on the Terracotta.

I would question whether that information is correct, It may well be but never heard it before, they are approved for use so doesn’t sound right that they would have such a short lifespan. Also they use rubber rings with drainage pipes and they last indefinitely so would expect the same of the coupling

I am not a Plumber, can only go on what I was told and the fact the one that was installed 10 years ago when excavated has simply fallen to pieces.

Originally Posted by China

...the one that was installed 10 years ago when excavated has simply fallen to pieces.

According to the Fernco website, PlumbQuik fittings are for above-ground drainage applications.
PlumbQwik™ (PVC Couplings) - Fernco

But then some retailers are advertising them as being suitable for both above- and below-ground use. So who knows? I agree with beardy- a 10 year lifespan for a below-ground fitting is pathetic assuming they are approved for that application.

According to their website they do above ground ones and then others specifically designed for in ground. The ones you buy off the shelf at Bunnings etc are above ground only I suspect

Back in the 80’s we used these
IMG_2359.jpeg

Joined with a fat oring the earthen ware pipes used. PVC glue on the pvc end of course. Those rubber rings on the earthen ware pipes either let the roots in or they didn’t, I suspect it was probably more to do with ground movement the type of tree and the amount of watering or lack of watering causing tree roots to search for moisture. Never used a rubber coupling with a steel hose clamp underground. Don’t think our inspector would pass that.

,cheers,

Interesting that this question stirred up some divergent views etc. I think I'll contact Fermco and see what they say, will report back. If 10 years or so is all you can expect, it's hardly a product for use underground, with or without concrete, silicone and tape!