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near toilet floor constantly wet

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  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,603

    I have always used a 1/4" drill bit to remove the lead. If a length of pipe was still in the hub then a 16" long bell hanger bit was used.

    Then with most of the lead drilled, a hook was used to dig out the remains.

    Then the pipe stub could be removed and the oakum drilled or hooked out.

    mattmia2
  • azward
    azward Member Posts: 104

    when the lead was packed in, it should be slightly lower than the rim of the hub, like the photo shows. but in my photo, why is the rim not visible?

    Screenshot 2026-06-11 221310.png

    image.png
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,672

    Looks like a lot of rust covering the rim.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Baltimore, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
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    mattmia2Larry Weingarten
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,378
    edited June 12

    do some digging and scraping and see what you find. you can't make it worse.

    there is some sort of caulk substance that has been sold for years for use in place of the lead, it could be that too or the lead could have been poured flush and not packed

  • azward
    azward Member Posts: 104

    could you show a picture of the bell hanger bit and the hook?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,378

    a bell hanger's bit is just a long twist drill, it is maybe 18" long or so. the hook is just a big pick or hook with a screwdriver handle on it. they sell them for releasing radiator hoses but there probably are other ones out there too.

    JUGHNE