How To Repair A Leaky Pvc Drain Pipe

ABS Blackness Plastic Pipe in Buildings
Properties, uses, standards, defects, failure claims, form activity

• Mail a QUESTION or Annotate virtually ABS plastic or "black plastic" drain piping used in buildings: installation, inspection, cracks, leaks, failures

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ABS or black plastic plumbing pipes:

This article describes the backdrop of ABS plastic piping and tubing used in buildings. Nosotros include information near failures and problems with some generations of plastic pipes (ABS, polybutylene) and we describe skillful building practise installation details where plastic piping is being installed. We hash out distinguishing between leaky ABS drain piping and other under-edifice water or leak sources.

The articles at this website will answer most questions most plastic building h2o supply and edifice drain piping products, failures, and claims as well as many other edifice plumbing organization inspection or defect topics.

We besides provide an ARTICLE Alphabetize for this topic, or you tin try the page elevation or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find data you need.

ABS Plastic Pipe Failures, Leaks, Claims, Settlements

Equally our black ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) drain pipe photograph shows (in a higher place), some bleed line leaks having nothing to do with product defects can occur in this system if the piping is non properly installed.

Field investigations of leak stains (as in our photo) as well as investigations of sewer gas odors have traced these problems to failure to properly clean, prime, and gum the pipe joints during construction.

However, "All Black -hit," defective black ABS plastic waste material pipe manufactured in the mid 1980's failed past nifty, as Cranor's photo below illustrates.

"All Black -hit," defective black ABS plastic waste matter pipe manufactured in the mid 1980'due south failed past corking. The result was litigation and some damage settlements, simply currently it is unlikely that a homeowner will find legal relief for newly-discovered ABS bleed waste matter vent pipe cracks and failures.

History of ABS Pipage Failures: ABS Plastic Drain/Waste/Vent (DWV) pipe failure Brands

Our photo (left) illustrates a homeowner-installed h2o softener drain cut into an ABS drain line - an unsanitary cross connecction explained

at Cantankerous CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING.

ABS drain pipage material failures were reported for pipe made betwixt 1985 and 1988. [1][2][5][6][vii] below

• Apache ABS pipe failures: Apache Plastics defective piping was produced due to utilize of defective raw materials to make ABS DWV between January and May 1985. Not all Apache ABS DWV suffers the neat failure problem, and less Apache ABS pipage defects are found than among the other manufacturers listed beneath.

• Centaur ABS pipage: Centaur black ABS pipe was labeled with the company'southward name and was fabricated between February and August 1985. Decoding for the date in data stamped on Centaur piping: expect at the production code institute just past the UPC on the pipe, beginning with an "Due south"(1985) followed past v characters YMDDDP as follows:
  • Grapheme 1: Year of manufacture: Due east=1971, F=1972, Thousand=1973, etc. - an "S" = 1985 and a "T" =- 1986 - key problem years for ABS DWV piping defects.
  • Graphic symbol ii: and Month of manufacture: D=Jan, Due east=February, etc. through O=December.
  • Characters 3, 4: Mean solar day of industry (ii characters) encoded as digits one-0 corresponding to D-One thousand respectively
  • Character five: Production shift or Resin Lot code.
  • Character 6: used only for third party sales: Centaur also produced ABS piping for sale nether other trade names. In that case Centaur advised that the company printed a "C" suffixed to the finish of the product date code.
• Gable ABS pipe failures: Gable plastics defective ABS piping was made during 1985 and 1986 and is very prone to not bad failures and leaks, once more due to use of defective plastic raw materials.
  • Gable ABS pipage date of manufacture is stamped un-encoded onto the piping
• Phoenix ABS pipe, successor to Centaur Corp. issued lacking, scissure-prone ABS piping from January 1986 - October 1986. Phoenix used the same production codes (but the twelvemonth volition indicate it'south Phoenix non Centaur).
• Polaris ABS pipe, manufactured lacking ABS piping between February 1985 and July 1985. Not all Polaris ABS pipage made during this interval suffers the cracking failure, depending on variation in batches of purchased raw fabric.
  • Polaris ABS Pipage Engagement Encoding: nnnYY where
  • nnn = the numeric day of the year (001-365) and YY = the year in digits, such every bit 10085.
• Spartan ABS pipe

More than data: U.S. CPSC Hot Line: 800-638-8270

ABS Plastic Pipe Leak Failures Still Beingness Discovered

ABS plastic bleed and vent line failures are still being discovered, as John Cranor'due south photo from 2022 illustrates.

Home inspector John Cranor provided theis photo of a cracked ABS drain line, commenting:

This photograph of cracked ABS is damage that I feel has to exist related to the defective ABS that was reported years ago.

I am in VA and accept inspected shut to 6000 homes and this was the get-go I take seen this upshot here. I saw at to the lowest degree six spots on the drain piping in the crawl space that had similar cracking and white crusty residue like shown in photo.

I know there was once a lot of information out in that location about this issue but now I cannot discover hardly anything. The website abspipes.com is now endemic by some plumbing contractor and it has no useful information about ABS or its effect.

The seller of the property where I took this photograph has some plumber maxim there is nothing incorrect and that he has never heard of a problem every bit I described. He claims the white residual is mud and that he could see no fissure.

Below: another cracked ABS pipe photo from Mr. Cranor, from an inspection performed in August 2022. He notes:

This ABS piping failure is on a home built in 1995. It'due south interesting how the cracks commonly follow the glue line.

I see these cracks oftentimes here in VA, usually it's the 80'south era homes only this i in 1995, although supposedly the defective pipe involved in that class activity never made it to the east!

Scout out: plastic pipage mucilage manufacturers such as Oatey warn that using excessive amounts of solvents or glues tin weaken the pipe. As we note the cleft following the gum line nosotros postulate that the glue may be a factor in this ABS failure. Here is an extract from the application instructions for Oateys solvent cement used in plastic pipage systems:

5. Apply a liberal coat of cement to the piping to the depth of the socket, leave no uncoated surface.

six. Apply a thin coat of cement to inside of plumbing fixtures, avoid puddling of cement. Puddling tin can cause weakening and premature failure of pipage or fitting. Appluy a 2d coat of cement to the pipe.

Original source: Oatey product labels, also https://www.oatey.com/faqs-weblog-videos-case-studies/blog/how-complete-perfect-solvent-cement-joint-every-time

How to Find or Find ABS plastic pipe cracking failures

Although the cracked ABS drain line is quite visible in Mr. Cranor'south photo (above), or in some areas where piping is exposed (photograph at left) there may not be ready access for visual inspection of all surfaces of all of the plastic ABS bleed lines in a building.

Here are some tips that can reduce (not eliminate) the chances of missing faulty black ABS plastic drains:

• For houses built betwixt 1985 and 1988, perhaps extending into 1993 or even later on (to allow for use of in-stock older ABS piping), inspectors, building owners, and building buyers should be particularly alert for leaks in ABS black plastic drain, waste or vent piping.

  As we noted above, for buildings constructed outside of this fourth dimension window bleed lines may take other leaks and defects, regardless of faulty materials themselves.

• Await for visible damage, leaks, leak stains, or loose pipes or fittings that may exist moving due to breaks or cracks in the DWV piping. Remember to include inspection of the vent piping organization, from on-roof, in the attic, and in other accessible areas.

  Keep in mind that if yous find even one leak there is a loftier hazard that there may be additional subconscious leaks likewise every bit futurity failures and leaks.

• Look for production dates & manufacturer's codes indicating the problem brands of ABS piping, listed above. Experts report defective ABS pipe products based on manufacturer's production codes and dates even if no leaks are observed at the fourth dimension of inspection.
• Look on the nether-side of lateral bleed line runs through the building for show of leak stains on the ABS pipage itself - the actual fissure may be difficult to spot but leak stains may exist more than obvious (come across the photo above)
• Look for water leak stains on building walls, ceilings, floors beneath ABS drain pipes on nearby building surfaces
• Look for ABS drain line cracks at the glue-line joint in and look for mixed plastic types (white PVC, black ABS) on older buildings.

  Dandy ABS failures often occurred shut to glued unions. Modern plastic piping glues can handle and even joint both types of plastics, but at an older installation such as at the home above, where nosotros see mixed plastics nosotros pose the possibility that none of the mixed-type plastic pipe joints may exist properly glued.

  This is not a problem peculiar to defective ABS but the two conditions may be institute together.

• Expect for evidence of repeated prior repairs that may signal recurrent bully and leak failures in the piping organisation
• Pressure examination drain, waste matter, vent piping systems: for a system that is in doubtfulness or where a hidden leak is suspected (perhaps where at that place are undiagnosed sewer gas odors), consider force per unit area testing the DWV pipe. Pressure level testing can also detect improper pipe joints such as failure to glue the joints properly.

ABS Class Action & Litigation

The prior class action litigation involved five of the vi ABS pipe manufacturer's brands listed above: Centaur, Phoenix, Polaris, Gable, and Apache. (Spartan was excluded). We accept not found evidence of an class action (June 2022). The attorney involved in prior deportment, David Birke-White, indicated (paraphrasing) that lacking ABS piping failures are a progressive trouble and that pipe that had non already failed will do so in the future.[ane]

ABS DWV pipe failure references

• [i] Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, provided background information almost ABS black plastic drain piping failures, including lists of problem pipe manufacturers, engagement encoding, and attorney's statements. 2/28/1997. Mr. Cramer is a Florida home inspector and habitation inspection educator. He is a frequent contributor to InspectApedia.com. Mr. Cramer provided information based on "Inspector'due south Field Notes"™, William P Ball, Ed., 1996.
• [ii] John Cranor [Website: /world wide web.house-whisperer.com ] provided a photograph of failed ABS drain piping used above. Mr. Craynor, an ASHI member and a abode inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is likewise a contributor to InspectApedia.com
• [3] P. Davis, B.Due east. Tiganis, 50.S. Fire, "The effect of photo-oxidative degradation on fracture in ABSpipe resins", Polymer Deposition and Stability, Volume 84, Issue 2, May 2004, Pages 233–242

  Abstract: This work investigates ultraviolet (UV) deposition and its influence on fracture failure in acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) resins. Preliminary chemiluminescence assessment of coupon specimens indicates that degradation is restricted to the specimen surface, with a relatively rapid depletion of residual stabiliser compared to the majority of the specimen. Fourier transform infra-cherry-red spectral analysis indicates that this surface-specific deposition forms photoproducts with the distortion of absorbance bands (corresponding to the trans CC unsaturation (vinyl) in polybutadiene (PB), and the 1,2-butadiene last vinyl C–H band), indicating bond unsaturation.

  These changes in chemical structure are attributed to cantankerous-linking and chain scission in the PB phase. Information technology is proposed that surface degradation afterward UV exposure promotes brittle behaviour and may therefore influence the failure mechanism of ABS force per unit area pipes under static loading.

  The effect of UV exposure in coupon specimens is compared to that of surface notching, and plane-strain fracture toughness tests are used to obtain an empirical human relationship between exposure time and "equivalent" notch depth. Past assuming that this relationship is independent of specimen geometry (i.e. deposition is restricted to the surface), a methodology for estimating the lifetime of UV-exposed ABSpipes is proposed.

  An analysis of DN100 Grade 15 ABSpipes predicts that a transition to brittle fracture failure occurs after 137 years. However, it is recommended that the influence of pipe wall thickness on deposition kinetics exist quantified.

• [2] J. P. Lu, P. Davis, L. S. Burn, "Lifetime prediction for ABS pipes subjected to combined pressure and deflection loading", Polymer Engineering & Science Book 43, Issue 2, pages 444–462, February 2003,

  Abstract As part of an investigation into the performance of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) systems for water transportation, this paper presents a method for predicting the service lifetimes of buried pipes nether in-service loading weather. A linear fracture mechanics approach was used to analyze breakable failure initiating from adventitious flaws located at the bore surface of pipe. Failure criteria were determined using the time-dependent, quasistatic, plane strain fracture toughness of the ABS material, combined with empirical parameters that describe slow, steady crack growth.

  The expected operating conditions of a cached pipe were and then separated into static loading contributions from internal pressure, diametrical deflection and residue stress. Arcadian stress intensity factors associated with mode-I crack opening nether each of these components were determined using a finite element analysis and superposed to depict the general case in service.

  The computed net stress intensity factor was so combined with the previously determined fracture toughness and slow crevice growth data in an algorithm to simulate incremental radial fissure growth from the piping diameter.

  Predicted failure times compared well with an experimental model of expected operating atmospheric condition, which combined hydrostatic pressure and parallel-plate deflection loading of an internally notched pipe. The prediction method was also used to place the factors that control the lifetime of a pipage in service. The influence of fabric visco-elasticity was investigated past simulating variations in fracture toughness and slow cleft growth resistance. It was proposed that, in practice, these variations are governed by opposing changes in visco-elasticity.

  The effect of changing diametrical deflection and remainder stress distribution were too simulated, assuasive recommendations on piping industry and installation conditions to be fabricated.

• [4] Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, Attorneys at Law, "Lieff Cabraser represented plaintiffs who declared that certain ABS pipage contained plastic resin that acquired it to fissure and leak."
  http://www.lieffcabraser.com/
• [5] Bill Ball, "ABS Failure Video", Bill Ball Enterprises, 3104 O St., Sacramento CA 96186, Tel: 800-309-HOME.
• [half-dozen] Note: the previous "Official website for the class activity suit confronting ABS manufacturers" , with the official claim class and descriptive information: http://world wide web.abspipes.com/ is no longer functional. The link at left produces a U.K. plumbing company.
• [vii] Redwood Kardon, "ABS DWV Pipe: reported defects", 1996, CodeCheck.com

Some "ABS Pipe Failure Leaks" may be from Other Causes

Question: How do I know if a wet area is from a plumbing leak or basis moisture

I purchased a condo last year, was aware that it had had this type of 2" sewer line replaced, when it failed big fourth dimension, in Apr 2022. At the time nosotros were advised that all the bad ABS had been replaced.

Nosotros now find that the ii bathrooms withal have this line running through the cement pad. We have been unable to view lines with scope due to (angles) curves in line.

The picture is of previous line repair (some of information technology) and nighttime area although showing moisture, also reflects overlap of cement fill up. In that location has not been any overt moisture areas, merely damp, and demonstrated on water/moisture meter.

In addition the condos were built on a low lying foundation prone to wet.

... when moisture (mold) showed up in my carpet, under a plastic chair pad, nosotros found areas of moisture in all areas of room, too as coming up around previously replaced lines, I began to wonder if plumbing an issue or basis moisture.

Plumbing seems to work without problem, even under load of bath tub empty or washer run. I am catching a whiff of rotten eggs from time to fourth dimension, esp. in morning earlier I go up.

Brusque of jack hammering up both bathrooms (tub, shower, and sinks, as I understand the toilets would non accept the at chance sewer line). Is there any pick for determining if lines have failed?

I happened to rails down the plumber who did the repair in past (prior to my buying) and he confirms this data. He did not add any viscus plastic barrier before he put in new lines. Stated it was non standard of work. Many of the condos in my complex have like issues-it is a large deal, all were built mid 1980'southward.

Capeesh any guidance into proceeding with these issues. - Anonymous by private electronic mail 2022/12/25

Reply:

Betimes,

This apparent ABS sewer line leak sounds like a real headache. I would have speculated that the moist areas you lot report are more likely to exist roof spillage or surface h2o collecting near and under the building, finding its way into the piping trenches and up under the basement slab, if not that you report a rotten-egg smell. Typically that olfactory property is sewer gas.

If the sewer gas has been nowadays (at least in moisture atmospheric condition) the odor still could be due to a combination of h2o under the slab and previous sewage effluent that leaked into the same space.

Simply if there was no scent after the repair in 2022, that is if the sewer gas like smell is new, I'm worried that there'southward a leak that was missed or a repair that failed.

I wouldn't surrender on getting a scope through the drain line. Proper plumbing drain installation avoids sharp 90 degree turns because of the drain clogging problem that they cause, and so information technology should be possible for an experienced technician to get a sewer line inspection camera through the lines.

Run into SEWER / SEPTIC PIPE CAMERAS

If you find that additional drain line repair is needed, it might exist possible to re-line the piping in-place.

Run across TRENCHLESS PIPE REPAIRS

Reader Comments & Q&A

Yeah, Cece, some defective ABS pipage remains installed and produces an occasional failure; in that location'south no balls nor reason to think that all defective piping product has been found and replaced.

Inspect your piping, and if y'all're having multiple breaks, simply as you described, then it'd be reasonable to replace all of it rather than to risk a costly leak and building damage or mold contamination issue.

Anyone still having problems with lacking ABS pipage? What can I do about it?? I have had 4 pipe breaks right at the joints circumferentially. Business firm congenital in the '80s. It's Polaris piping.

Russ
I agree that sounds very odd and possibly improper or unsafe. Yous need to follow the ABS pipe backwards to see where information technology originates.

i'thousand a covering contractor and on the task i'yard doing the 6" "B" vent pipe has a 2" ABS piping running through the center of information technology. why?

No. For several reasons. Inadequate pressure, chemical risks, book inadequate.

Hi, I was wondering if it'southward prophylactic or non-toxic to use ABS pipes and glue to ship compressed air for breathing.

Boo

How aggravating. And a surprise too. I tin can see encountering 1 1/4" diameter sink tailpiece and trap OR a standard i 1/2" bore sink tailpiece and trap - and then is it possible that your measurement is a petty off?

Run into if the quondam thread will catch a new ane one/ii" size trap role and see if what yous accept in mitt is the smaller 1 1/4" size.

Permit me know - attach a photo if yous can.

I have an older mobile home purchased with other property. The kitchen sink drain J-trap is thread on. The two plastic basics froze and cracked. The current replacement parts have a unlike size nut/thread on the going out side. The former thread is 1/16" larger. Why? It is blackness pipe, ABS. Is there a supply of the old nut out there?

Perhaps attempt again to mail your photo using the Add together Epitome push button.

IF the failure was in replacement ABS pipage, he problem may not be lacking cloth but instead inadequate support.

I live in southern Indiana and congenital my house in 1986. I take replaced all of the abs piping in the clamber space as it had cracked at the articulation in several places. Now it has cracked once again in the pipe left above the flooring line (8/2018). I have attached a photo of the almost recent. I exercise have some mold damage and had to remove the wall to repair. I take two more locations in my baths that withal have the erstwhile abs pipe in the wall. I was wondering if all abs manufactured at the time used the same formula and if any other places in Indiana may have experienced this trouble that is known well-nigh.
thanks.
joe

Sam:

You might have success borrowing a simple moisture meter - trace moisture up the wall and you can find the pinnacle at which it starts. I use a radio-signal type moisture meter that can penetrate masonry amend than a pivot blazon meter.

I have a leak in a drain pipe inside a party wall that is showing up in basement to a higher place foundation. It appears the drain from Laundry on 2nd floor has drain pipe inside cinder cake party wall. Is a remote camera the all-time way to find it? Other ideas will be appreciatied.

Question: lacking ABS piping in 1986 habitation

(April xxx, 2022) deborah doben said:

We take been advised by our contractor/plumber that our abode congenital in 1986 has defective ABS piping and that is the cause of a severe leak which has acquired damage to our kitchen floor, cabinet, drywall and physical. What recourse do I have, if whatsoever. to assist me with costs of these repairs and what else do I need to know to file a merits.

Reply:

Deborah, in the ABS PLASTIC Piping FAILURES article higher up we describe several grade activeness activities regarding failed ABS piping forth with contact data or case status. Some of these settlements are airtight out. What recourse you have depends on the brand of pipe installed, its age, its extent of & crusade of failure, and the extent of edifice impairment equally well as the status of claims and settlement action.

Comments: about plumbers' experience with ABS pipe failures

(April 8, 2022) Plastic Pipe Fittings said:

Thanks for the sharing of such information. we will pass it on to our readers. This is a not bad reading. Thanking you.

* The above comment was posted past
The Plastic Pipage Shop, a U.Thou. firm who for our U.K. readers can exist reached at Tel: 01786-472850 or by email to sales@plasticpipeshop [dot] co [dot] uk

(Sept 30, 2022) Bearding said:
I remember cutting a agglomeration of this out in the 90's .Didn't last very long..

(Sept 30, 2022) Anonymous said:
Wow, the photograph's here shows bad skills as a plumber.. Never mind the bad ABS.. Must of been some kind of rotor rooter plumber made repairs for thousands

(Sept 30, 2022) Bearding said:
Please hire lic's plumbers ...The bathtub is a code violation ..

Question: likes ABS pipe information website pages

(May thirteen, 2022) Sara said:

Hello Deborah and editor

In googling the ABS defective pipes, I institute this thread.

Deborah, I'm curious every bit to what kind of recourse y'all took as I only discovered (after fixing a leaky pipe) that my rental property (purchased in late 2022-congenital in 1984) has these faulty pipes.

Dan Joe, thank y'all for posting this information. Information technology was very helpful.

Reply:

Thank you Sarah, nosotros're glad to assist and welcome questions, critique, or content suggestions from our readers

Question: ABS ... notwithstanding leaking subsequently all these years

(Mar 31, 2022) TomNik said:
If anyone is still watching this ABS trouble - I am wondering what folks are finding their insurance companies opinion is on the failed ABS pipe and resulting damage as the settlement money of $70 million has expired. Now what practice we do?? cheers

Answer:

ABS plastic bleed and vent line failures are yet beingness discovered, as John Cranor's photo (in the ABS PLASTIC Piping FAILURES article) illustrates.

...

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