Just curious if anyone has used that post setting foam cement replacement around pvc or the black rubber fernco couplers used in plumbing? I don't want to make a nightmare if the foam reacts badly with plastics and rubbers but thought it would be a great way to get a good seal around pipes before they are covered and cemented under. I have never used the stuff, what are your experiences????
I wouldn’t use a fernco somewhere it isn’t accessible. Use pvc pipe, pvc fittings, pvc primer and pvc glue, if that is done properly you shouldn’t have to worry about leaks.
Theres the problem. Unless I want to dump thousands I don't have, digging a whole new sewer system, I need to couple on to old pipe with a clay pipe to 4" fernco. I know it is not "proper" but with my wife disabled and not working and a buyout at work and 15% of the workers already released and everyone unsure how stable our jobs are and the housing market in town falling through the floor due to this scare, I don't want to take on a massive debt not having any certainty in life right now. Once again I know it isn't proper but it is what I can do by myself for now. Hopefully this can get me by and if we survive the corporate execution I will be saving for when it has to be done.
No experience with the foam. We had to convert from clay pipe to PVC on my mom's septic line. Either leave access able where coupling will be or pour solid over it, shouldn't leak.
Made of tough elastomeric polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the flexible couplings are strong, resilient and unaffected by soil conditions. They are also resistant to chemicals, ultraviolet rays, fungus growth, and normal sewer gases due to the inert nature and physical properties of the PVC material. Fernco flexible couplings are leak-proof, rot-proof and seal against infiltration and exfiltration, giving you confidence in your pipe connections. Install it, tighten the clamps, bury it and forget about it, This is done everyday.
Bingo. I have a 3" Fernco on the vent stack in the wet wall between laundry and bath. Drywall, paint, shelves, cabinets cover it. Granted, it's a vent, but we also just used one in the crawl on a job from hellz on the main septic line and I'm not sure the owner plans to put in an access to the crawl. Never used that foam. Looks interesting. Seems like there should be instructions, or....there's always the Tubes.
Ferncos are tougher than you'd think. Screw it tight and cover it up with some gravel and concrete. Local inspector wants to see underground ferncos sitting in a bit of gravel to reduce strain. Seems plausible to me. Never seen one fail yet.
Agreed...nothing at all wrong with using a Fernco for this application...just need to make sure the pipe(s) are bedded in well and proper...the only Ferncos I have ever seen fail was due to the pipe not being bedded in well, then over time it settled and caused a severe offset. The Fernco will not provide much, if any structural strength, only sealing...unless you use one that has a stainless steel shear ring (they call them "shielded")...those do have some structural strength...I would still bed the pipes in good though. You will probably need to have your local supply house order one in...unless they have a pretty impressive inventory...and not the cheapest thing in the world either...but worth it IMO. Trades people commonly call these "strongback" couplers Shielded RC Couplings | Fernco - US
