| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood
down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. HELP! |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
From what little I remember of our cast iron system, which was replaced
decades ago... The socketed joints between sections seemed to be sealed by pouring hot lead in. Brackets were fixed as described by Bob above. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On Wednesday, 20 September 2017 08:25:13 UTC+1, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
From what little I remember of our cast iron system, which was replaced decades ago... The socketed joints between sections seemed to be sealed by pouring hot lead in. Brackets were fixed as described by Bob above. There is nothing rigid in the joints, they have to be free to allow for expansion.The sockets were filled with gaskin and putty. Gaskin = asoft rope. The pipes are suspended from the cast in brackets; it's important sections do not rest on the one below so they can expand. If you don't do this the pipes will crack. The original installations were done from the top down to enable this. It will be an angle grinder job to get the heads off the fixings if they won't prise out. Once the fitting is off, you can get the remaining shank out with mole grips or a pipe wrench. They are usually hammered into wooden plugs |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
In message , John
Rumm writes On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. They are normally very large nail like fixings that are hammered into a wood plug that sits in a recess that is chiselled into the wall. Basically very difficult to remove. I think in the circumstance I would be looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. Known as *drive screws* here. Semi hard. -- Tim Lamb |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 08:57, John Rumm wrote:
On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. They are normally very large nail like fixings that are hammered into a wood plug that sits in a recess that is chiselled into the wall. Basically very difficult to remove. I think in the circumstance I would be looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. I was thinking of a drain clearing rod pushed in from below, particularly as the cast iron pipe won't look right with the domed fixings removed. *If successful,* that method may result in a large piece of sodden hard wood emerging from the top of the pipe and crashing onto the bonce of the person below. So, maybe, it would be best to get someone up a ladder to lift it out, once the first bit emerges from the top. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
Are you sure you cannot get a tool to get it out through the top?
I'm sur I've seen long tools that clamp to things down pipes in the past. Brian -- ----- - This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from... The Sofa of Brian Gaff... Blind user, so no pictures please! wrote in message ... Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. HELP! |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 08:54, harry wrote:
On Wednesday, 20 September 2017 08:25:13 UTC+1, Harry Bloomfield wrote: From what little I remember of our cast iron system, which was replaced decades ago... The socketed joints between sections seemed to be sealed by pouring hot lead in. Brackets were fixed as described by Bob above. There is nothing rigid in the joints, they have to be free to allow for expansion.The sockets were filled with gaskin and putty. Gaskin = asoft rope. The pipes are suspended from the cast in brackets; it's important sections do not rest on the one below so they can expand. If you don't do this the pipes will crack. The original installations were done from the top down to enable this. It will be an angle grinder job to get the heads off the fixings if they won't prise out. Once the fitting is off, you can get the remaining shank out with mole grips or a pipe wrench. They are usually hammered into wooden plugs There's an LCC cast iron waste stack 5m from this keyboard that's got lead joints. And a good few others till in use hereabouts. I'm not saying lead and oakum was used on all the original rainwater downpipes, far fewer of which have survived after c.120 years. But I've certainly seen lead used on some cast iron rainwater pipes. PS And the lead's not necessarily poured. Running rope allows horizontal joints. -- Robin reply-to address is (intended to be) valid |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
Brian Gaff wrote:
Are you sure you cannot get a tool to get it out through the top? Fill the downpipe with sodium hydroxide, that ought to eat the wood, but not the iron :-) |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
alan_m wrote:
Block off the bottom of the pipe and fill the pipe with water. The wood may float up to the top. Get a GBFO LPG torch, play the flame into the 'shoe' the chimney effect should carry the flames up inside the downpipe, sit back with a beer then wash the ashes out with a hosepipe! |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/17 12:57, Andy Burns wrote:
Brian Gaff wrote: Are you sure you cannot get a tool to get it out through the top? Fill the downpipe with sodium hydroxide, that ought to eat the wood, but not the iron :-) Indeed, if you can pressurise to about 3 bar and heat it up to several hundred degrees.... it should turn to paper pulp...:-) -- Microsoft : the best reason to go to Linux that ever existed. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/17 13:02, Andy Burns wrote:
alan_m wrote: Block off the bottom of the pipe and fill the pipe with water. The wood may float up to the top. Get a GBFO LPG torch, play the flame into the 'shoe' the chimney effect should carry the flames up inside the downpipe, sit back with a beer then wash the ashes out with a hosepipe! +1 because it involves fire and burning stuff. -- Theres a mighty big difference between good, sound reasons and reasons that sound good. Burton Hillis (William Vaughn, American columnist) |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 13:11, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 20/09/17 13:02, Andy Burns wrote: alan_m wrote: Block off the bottom of the pipe and fill the pipe with water. The wood may float up to the top. Get a GBFO LPG torch, play the flame into the 'shoe' the chimney effect should carry the flames up inside the downpipe, sit back with a beer then wash the ashes out with a hosepipe! +1 because it involves fire and burning stuff. Block off the bottom - fill the pipe with petrol......... -- mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 13:48, alan_m wrote:
On 20/09/2017 13:11, The Natural Philosopher wrote: On 20/09/17 13:02, Andy Burns wrote: alan_m wrote: Block off the bottom of the pipe and fill the pipe with water. The wood may float up to the top. Get a GBFO LPG torch, play the flame into the 'shoe' the chimney effect should carry the flames up inside the downpipe, sit back with a beer then wash the ashes out with a hosepipe! +1 because it involves fire and burning stuff. Block off the bottom - fill the pipe with petrol......... and film it for the Darwin awards? ;-) |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 08:25, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
From what little I remember of our cast iron system, which was replaced decades ago... The socketed joints between sections seemed to be sealed by pouring hot lead in. Brackets were fixed as described by Bob above. Thanks both. More thought needed :-( |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 10:30, GB wrote:
On 20/09/2017 08:57, John Rumm wrote: On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. They are normally very large nail like fixings that are hammered into a wood plug that sits in a recess that is chiselled into the wall. Basically very difficult to remove. I think in the circumstance I would be looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. I was thinking of a drain clearing rod pushed in from below, particularly as the cast iron pipe won't look right with the domed fixings removed. *If successful,* that method may result in a large piece of sodden hard wood emerging from the top of the pipe and crashing onto the bonce of the person below. So, maybe, it would be best to get someone up a ladder to lift it out, once the first bit emerges from the top. A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. I started using a multi-tool through the shoe opening to cut off 20mm sections but then realised it was a long piece of wood and would take hours. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 10:05, Robin wrote:
On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. HELP! Is this with a view to separating the "shoe" from the downpipe? Yes, but others are making me rethink that idea. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 12:40, alan_m wrote:
On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. HELP! Block off the bottom of the pipe and fill the pipe with water. The wood may float up to the top. I think there's too much crud around it for that |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 13:02, Andy Burns wrote:
alan_m wrote: Block off the bottom of the pipe and fill the pipe with water. The wood may float up to the top. Get a GBFO LPG torch, play the flame into the 'shoe' the chimney effect should carry the flames up inside the downpipe, sit back with a beer then wash the ashes out with a hosepipe! Tempting, but that would wreck what paint is on still attached to the pipe and (probably) accelerate the internal corrosion |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On Wednesday, 20 September 2017 14:18:32 UTC+1, wrote:
On 20/09/2017 10:30, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 08:57, John Rumm wrote: On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. They are normally very large nail like fixings that are hammered into a wood plug that sits in a recess that is chiselled into the wall. Basically very difficult to remove. I think in the circumstance I would be looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. I was thinking of a drain clearing rod pushed in from below, particularly as the cast iron pipe won't look right with the domed fixings removed. *If successful,* that method may result in a large piece of sodden hard wood emerging from the top of the pipe and crashing onto the bonce of the person below. So, maybe, it would be best to get someone up a ladder to lift it out, once the first bit emerges from the top. A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. I started using a multi-tool through the shoe opening to cut off 20mm sections but then realised it was a long piece of wood and would take hours. It may still be your easiest option. One of those things where you can do a bit when you've got 10 minutes. NT |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 12:50:38 AM UTC+1, wrote:
Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. HELP! Here's how they do it in the states. Wacking in a PVC pan adapter is somewhat easier! https://youtu.be/AlSNXmZYrdQ?t=6m6s |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/17 14:18, wrote:
On 20/09/2017 10:30, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 08:57, John Rumm wrote: On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes .... .... looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. I was thinking of a drain clearing rod pushed in from below... .. too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. ..plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. I can work a plastic garden hose up mine to stir up any gunge in the hoppers. TW |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 15:28, GB wrote:
On 20/09/2017 14:18, wrote: A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. Maybe stick with the 10mm pipe idea for a minute, and perhaps there's something you can attach to the end that would keep the pipe more or less centred and would ride over the joints?Â* Something like a small water bottle firmly attached with the neck downwards. And the next question here would probably be: "how do I get a small plastic bottle out of a cast iron downpipe" ;-) I started using a multi-tool through the shoe opening to cut off 20mm sections but then realised it was a long piece of wood and would take hours. No fun in that! |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 15:47, TimW wrote:
On 20/09/17 14:18, wrote: On 20/09/2017 10:30, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 08:57, John Rumm wrote: On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes .... .... looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. I was thinking of a drain clearing rod pushed in from below... .. too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. ..plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. I can work a plastic garden hose up mine to stir up any gunge in the hoppers. TW Doh! I hadn't thought of garden hose. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 15:13, wrote:
On Wednesday, 20 September 2017 14:18:32 UTC+1, wrote: On 20/09/2017 10:30, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 08:57, John Rumm wrote: On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. They are normally very large nail like fixings that are hammered into a wood plug that sits in a recess that is chiselled into the wall. Basically very difficult to remove. I think in the circumstance I would be looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. I was thinking of a drain clearing rod pushed in from below, particularly as the cast iron pipe won't look right with the domed fixings removed. *If successful,* that method may result in a large piece of sodden hard wood emerging from the top of the pipe and crashing onto the bonce of the person below. So, maybe, it would be best to get someone up a ladder to lift it out, once the first bit emerges from the top. A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. I started using a multi-tool through the shoe opening to cut off 20mm sections but then realised it was a long piece of wood and would take hours. It may still be your easiest option. One of those things where you can do a bit when you've got 10 minutes. NT If you could get 10mm pipe right to the top, maybe you could use it to pull up a piece of string then rope with something big enough to catch the wood attached to the end. -- Michael Chare |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 16:00, wrote:
On 20/09/2017 15:28, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 14:18, wrote: A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. Maybe stick with the 10mm pipe idea for a minute, and perhaps there's something you can attach to the end that would keep the pipe more or less centred and would ride over the joints?Â* Something like a small water bottle firmly attached with the neck downwards. And the next question here would probably be: "how do I get a small plastic bottle out of a cast iron downpipe" ;-) Hence why I said "firmly attached". You bring it down to the shoe, and if necessary cut it into bits with your multi tool. It seems to me that you can discourage all suggestions, with a hearty sneer, or you can use them constructively to sort out what is, after all, your problem. I can assure you that I have no pieces of hardwood stuck in my downpipes. I'm always amazed that people here are so helpful, when the OP only gives out a tiny fraction of the information about his problem at the outset. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On Wednesday, 20 September 2017 16:00:11 UTC+1, wrote:
On 20/09/2017 15:28, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 14:18, wrote: A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. Maybe stick with the 10mm pipe idea for a minute, and perhaps there's something you can attach to the end that would keep the pipe more or less centred and would ride over the joints?Â* Something like a small water bottle firmly attached with the neck downwards. And the next question here would probably be: "how do I get a small plastic bottle out of a cast iron downpipe" ;-) flame shrinks it. |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 14:19, wrote:
On 20/09/2017 10:05, Robin wrote: On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. HELP! Is this with a view to separating the "shoe" from the downpipe? Yes, but others are making me rethink that idea. Ah, so even after you remove the lead or other sealant you face 80-odd years of rust ;) As a variant on some other options, do you have ladder access to the top? If so you could drop string down the pipe to attach to the wood. Several lengths might enable you to make a cat's cradle. But the snag is it'll tend to snag on the way up on all those lovely bits of rusty iron - the more so with the string attached at the bottom . All in all, I think I'd be telling myself that removing 20mm at a time with a multitool must be good for me in many ways - eg blood pressure, karma, a chapter for "Zen and the Art of House Maintenance" -- Robin reply-to address is (intended to be) valid |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
|
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
wrote:
On 20/09/2017 10:30, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 08:57, John Rumm wrote: On 20/09/2017 00:50, wrote: Some numpty (not me) seems to have dropped a long length of hardwood down one of the downpipes on my "new" house - presumably when clearing the hopper some years ago. I need to get the bottom discharge "shoe" off to get the wood out but it probably hasn't been touched since it was built (1930s) and I can't work out what the fixings are. I've got the paint and render off the fixings and the heads seem to be domed, but no slot or other means of undoing the things. They are normally very large nail like fixings that are hammered into a wood plug that sits in a recess that is chiselled into the wall. Basically very difficult to remove. I think in the circumstance I would be looking at ways of getting the wood out via the same route it went in. I was thinking of a drain clearing rod pushed in from below, particularly as the cast iron pipe won't look right with the domed fixings removed. *If successful,* that method may result in a large piece of sodden hard wood emerging from the top of the pipe and crashing onto the bonce of the person below. So, maybe, it would be best to get someone up a ladder to lift it out, once the first bit emerges from the top. A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. I started using a multi-tool through the shoe opening to cut off 20mm sections but then realised it was a long piece of wood and would take hours. If you can see the bottom of the stick, is there any chance of dropping a weighted loop of string down from the top and out the bottom? If so, you could pass the loop under the cut off bottom of the stick and use the string to pull it back up. If the string isn't strong enough you could use it to pull through something stronger once you've got the loop to the bottom. Tim -- Please don't feed the trolls |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 17:37, GB wrote:
On 20/09/2017 16:00, wrote: On 20/09/2017 15:28, GB wrote: On 20/09/2017 14:18, wrote: A drain rod would be far too stiff to go round the bend in the shoe. I've tried shoving plastic 22, 15 and 10mm pipe up - the 22 and 15 are too stiff, the 10 is too small and also gets snagged on the joints. Maybe stick with the 10mm pipe idea for a minute, and perhaps there's something you can attach to the end that would keep the pipe more or less centred and would ride over the joints?Â* Something like a small water bottle firmly attached with the neck downwards. And the next question here would probably be: "how do I get a small plastic bottle out of a cast iron downpipe" ;-) Hence why I said "firmly attached". You bring it down to the shoe, and if necessary cut it into bits with your multi tool. It seems to me that you can discourage all suggestions, with a hearty sneer, or you can use them constructively to sort out what is, after all, your problem. I can assure you that I have no pieces of hardwood stuck in my downpipes. I'm always amazed that people here are so helpful, when the OP only gives out a tiny fraction of the information about his problem at the outset. I think you missed my "smiley" - all suggestions are welcomed and I will report back whatever works in the hope that it helps others |
1930s cast iron downpipe fixings - what are they?
On 20/09/2017 17:38, GB wrote:
On 20/09/2017 16:00, wrote: Doh! I hadn't thought of garden hose. I used garden hose when I had a blockage in a pipe with a tight bend. Worked a treat. I tried tonight, it was too flexible |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:25 PM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 DIYbanter