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Does anyone know what this urn-like thing is - sewer pipe in closet

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steam2pipe
steam2pipe Member Posts: 59
in Plumbing
The sewer pipe located in a basement hallway closet has a large hole (covered with black tarp right now) that needs repair. See attached photo. However, plumbers can't get under this slab of cement and a cast iron pipe covered with cement and connected to this urn-like thing/cement attached. I've attached a photo if anyone has clue. I wondered if it was an old 'pit latrine' serving residents that lived here in 1860 when the building was built. The pipe is very old and plumbers do not know how to remove the cement without breaking the cast iron pipe. Any and all suggestions are welcome because right now the broken pipe needs to be repaired asap.
photo:

Comments

  • steam2pipe
    steam2pipe Member Posts: 59
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    PS Here is a photo of the other end of that sewer pipe covered with a tarp for now. The plumbers need to get at that end to replace with PVC.
  • pedmec
    pedmec Member Posts: 973
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    looks to me like it might be a closet bend with some sort of plug in the opening. the vent for it is to the right.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,282
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    master trap? With a cleanout opening on top.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    PC7060
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,441
    edited July 2022
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    Wild guess...a running drum trap or cleanout.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,637
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    I"m pretty sure some care with a chisel and hammer will take the concrete/mortar off without breaking the cast iron. Clay could be a a different story.
    reggi
  • steam2pipe
    steam2pipe Member Posts: 59
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    Thanks, everyone, for your comments.
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,947
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    Might as well plan for the worst of it. It will probably break. It is also repairable so no need to be too concerned. It looks like an old cleanout exiting the building, or a clean-out serving a house trap.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,637
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    Perhaps it is a drain for something in the attic that comes out the eave and that is a trap.

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