I have a leak in the wall behind my sink coming from a broken tee connection on the vent pipe. It is PVC. ?

Question

Can I just cut out the tee and replace it with a new one? Is it just that simple?

Answer 1

Yes and no... it is pretty simple, but not quite as simple as just replacing the "T" fitting.  I doubt there is much 'play' in the pipe... You see, the straight pipe slips into the "T"-fitting by at least 1/2" (more with larger diameter pipe).  So, when you go to cut the "T" fitting out, you're probably going to find you also need to add a short length of straight pipe, and a straight coupler.  Being a "T" fitting, that means 3 couplers, a "T" fitting, and a short length of straight pipe (which can be cut into 3 pieces, one for each leg of the "T").

PVC is usually a white colored plastic.  CPVC is a cream colored plastic (used most often as water supply pipe, not vent stack), and ABS is black colored pipe.  Usually a vent stack is either PVC, or ABS.  You need to get the right type to match what you have in the wall, and the appropriate glue.

You can use a hacksaw, or reciprocating saw, to cut vent pipe with.  For smaller diameter pipes they make a special cutter that looks something like a heavy jawed plier.

Depending on how much room you have under the sink, you may want to cut the old one out first, and make the new one to fit.... or you can make the new fitting with the short sections of straight already glued in, and cut the pipes accordingly.

Just remember, when you are sizing the replacement, you need to have the straight pipe slide into the couplers a certain distance.  Don't just cut the old out at the 'edge' of the coupler  :)

You might find this video helpful - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep0kDsOXU...

Have Fun

Answer 2

You have to unscrew the 3 pvc pipes at the 3 connections and replace with new pipes that are the exact same size and shape.

Answer 3

Yes,PVC is that simple if you can get to it.Though you may need some connectors to close any gap left when the old t is removed.If you can't get a hacksaw in the space to cut it try this.Take a heavy piece of string(strong thin cord) and put it 1/2 way around it and pull back and forth rapidly(like a flex saw) the friction will cut the PVC

Answer 4

Yes and no.  You will have to access the area, which will mean removing the wall covering if the leak is inside the wall.

A tee connection means three pipes coming together in one place from three different locations.  How tight the connections are will determine how easy it is to replace that tee.  If the connecting pipes have enough play in  them to move enough, you may be able to simply cut out the old connector and replace it.  

Most likely, though, you will end up doing more surgery than that.  When you cut out the broken t-connector, the pipes will be too short for the new connector to glue right in which means cutting each line a bit shorter and using couplings to add the correct length of new line to each of the three lines.

For drain lines, you can use slip fit connectors -- they are black with band clamps on each end -- to make your job easier.  These connectors would be used in place of glue in couplings.  

Answer 5

Maybe I'm being silly, but why is there water in a vent pipe? Shouldn't the vent pipe be dry? I mean, it's not a supply and it's not a drain....