sewage pipe

Once upon a time there was a wire that supported a sewage pipe under my house. Id degraded and broke. The pipe separated at a T juncture. The T does not appear to be broken. The pipes do join at 90* angles. Do ya'll think I could wipe it all down and reuse the existing pieces?


If I can't reuse it, will this one work? It is 90* but I was not able to find the same shape as above. No. The flextape is not for this project.


I have metal pipe hanging tape (this stuff) that I could use to rehang the pipes. Or unbarbed fencing wire, if there's no way to attach the tape as this is a mobile home.

What would you do? I expect even replacing the T would require some kind of cleaning... Instructions please?

Oh, I have a septic tank.

I would give it a good cleaning and try to reuse it.   If  that doesn’t work, I would go to Plan B.

Joylynn, I believe it is called a Sanitary Tee.  For example, here.

Yes, that is it. So, the angle is actually important?

The "swept" or "sweep" tees are supposed to help guide things along and keep things flowing smoothly. I've often wondered how much of a difference it would really make in an application like this, especially on tees with so little sweep to them. I would try to reuse it, but then, we're all permies here, so I guess you might get that answer a lot, lol!

Something I've done on pipes that will not see pressure is use something like caulk instead of glue. It will seal it, but theoretically could be taken apart in the future for reuse, unlike pvc glue. Though I've yet to take any apart to confirm this. I would only do this where the pipes are well supported and cannot move around to break the seal.

Yes, the "sanitary tee" with the curvey entrance is usually important.  Any big box home improvement store should have them in stock.  

Were the pipes glued together or is that silicone that was holding them together?  They should be cemented together with PVC glue (once hung back up with straps or something galvanized/copper/stainless so it won't rust again).

If the glue that was holding them together is removable, I'd PVC glue them together and call it good.  

I've no idea what that stuff is.

Is it hard or squishy/rubbery?

I'll find out tomorrow. Ewww.

That is known as a sweep tee and for solid waste it is important.
You're dealing with a sewage line here. Do you really want to try to clean it?
I would find and buy new then just cut away the old stuff.

Sweep Tee's are very important.  I have replaced more than one 90 tee to a sweep tee.
You don't want to mess with sewage any more than you have to.
Flush you toilet a few times before you take pipes apart.  Wear your PPE.