How to Install Sewer Pipes | eHow

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Steve Sloane

Steve Sloane started working as a freelance writer in 2007. He has written articles for various websites, using more than a decade of DIY experience to cover mostly construction-related topics. He also writes movie reviews for Inland SoCal. Sloane holds a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and film theory from the University of California, Riverside.

Each home has a main sewer line (pipe) that runs into either the city sewer or a septic tank. All sewer pipes from individual water fixtures (sinks, toilets, bathtubs), run and connect into this main sewer line, and are attached via connecting couplings. Sewer pipes are made of either PVC or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic, and and the joints are connected with plastic couplings and cement (glue). Water fixtures have a different diameter than sewer pipes, so it's important to contact the local city building department to determine the correct size of the pipes in your area.

Mark the main sewer line at the point where the water fixture's sewer pipe will attach to it. Make a second mark two inches along from the first mark. Cut through the main sewer line at both marks, using a hacksaw to make sure the cuts are straight. Remove any burrs with a utility knife.

Apply ABS glue to the inside lip on both ends of an ABS connecting coupling, and also glue around both cut ends of the sewer line. Push the connecting coupling between the two cut pipe ends, and make sure that the coupling's side spout faces up and in the direction of the water fixture. Hold the coupling in place for 30 seconds to let the glue set.

Apply glue to the end of a piece of ABS sewer pipe and to the inside lip of the connecting coupling's side spout. Push the pipe into the spout, and hold in place for 30 seconds. Then glue a coupling to the other end of the pipe, and install all necessary pipe and couplings until the sewer pipe reaches the water fixture. For sinks, showers and bathtubs, a P-trap needs to be glued to the end of the sewer pipe before the vertical part of the P-trap is connected to the fixture. The end of a toilet sewer pipe is glued to a 90-degree street elbow joint, which in turn is glued to a closet flange.

All horizontal sewer pipes are installed at a gradient to allow for waste to travel along the pipe. Consult your local city building department for the correct gradient in your area.

If installing PVC sewer pipe, use PVC primer to prime all joints before using PVC glue to attach the joints together.

Couplings come in 30-, 45-, 60- and 90-degree angles to help install sewer pipes at the proper angle. There are also "T"-shaped couplings that connect one pipe to another.

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How to Install Sewer Pipes | eHow