Can I remove a toilet and cap the existing sewer line (old, unused toilet in basement)?

Question

We have an old, unused toilet in the corner of the basement. Having rebuilt another toilet in the house, I feel pretty confident about getting the old one out, but am unsure if I should due to the sewage line.

I have done research on capping various pipes/lines (using no hub jim caps) but is this something that I can do with the line out of the toilet, or is there more that needs to be done because of the sewer gasses and/or codes (we are in Delaware County Pennsylvania). Thanks!

Answer 1

Use a cast iron blind plug  and a no hub coupling. Don't use a rubber jim cap. If you have the line snaked, the snake will rip through the rubber. Also, they deteriorate over time.

Answer 2

If cast iron go to JR Smith link below and select floor clean out product catalog. No hub coupling, inside caulk and gasket are your 3 connection options.

If your plumbing is PVC then purchase a glue-on schedule 40 hard cap, should be 4"

Chip out the cement around the closet flange and remove it.

Saw off the pipe below grade with an inside pipe cutter and chip out surrounding cement to allow for cap to be glued on and still be below grade.

Glue on cap and cover hole with sand-mix or cement.

Or chip out the closet flange and cover with a 4" glued-on floor clean-out with a brass top.

Answer 3

There is a rubber doughnut looking plug that is inserted into the drain and tightened(it expands) for temporary or insert a steet coupling and cap that.