Drilled into PVC Pipe!

[scot_m]

My stud finder should be re-labeled to stud and pipe finder. I was trying to hang something in the bathroom and lined it up perfectly with the sanitation PVC pipe. I drilled two perfect holes through the drywall and into the PVC pipe. Holes are about the size of a pencil and pipe is 3.5" diameter.

I was told by friends how difficult this is to fix...cutting the pipe, glue, fitting new pipe around old pipe, etc. I went to the hardware store and the employee told me to use plumber's putty. This will save me lots of time and money, but I want it done right.

Is this the best solution, or should I suck it up and replace the drilled section of pipe? If so, then can someone detail that process and will it make more sense to just pay someone to do this fix?

Thanks!

[LazyPup]

Plumbers putty is not a putty in the sense of most putty type materials. It is only to be used to seal sink or tub drain baskets or to bed a faucett set to a sink top.

There are a couple methods that can be used to resolve your problem without cutting into the pipe, but first we will have to determine what that pipe is for.

If it is 3.5" outside diameter it is no doubt 3" PVC. The writing on the wall of the pipe should be visible to confirm that, but no matter as it is not really important here.

I would assume that if you were hanging something the holes are most likely about eye level and well above the top of the sink. Is there another occupied floor above this bathroom that has plumbing fixtures?

If this is above the top of the sink and there are no plumbing fixtures on the floor above then this pipe is no doubt the main vent for the house. If that is so, then it normally will not have any liquid flow in it, which makes repair a bit simpler. In this case we only have to be concerned about keeping sewer gassess at standard atmostpheric pressure from leaking in. In that case, you could simply plug the holes with Epoxy putty.

If there is another occupied floor above with plumbng fixtures then this pipe is most likely a combined waste & vent to the upper floor.

If this is a combined waste & vent pipe from an upper floor then it is carrying liquid waste from the floor above. If that is the case we must then create a seal that will withstand liquids with a slight static head pressure. You could do so by covering the holes with a piece of sheet rubber gasketing and hold them in place by attaching a stainless steel radiator clamp around the pipe and directly over the hole.

[scot_m]

Thanks LazyPup.

I actually had the towel ring mounted and about a day later noticed the ring of water color/stain in the sheetrock, which told me that I had drilled into a pipe.

Yes, there is a floor above. Only when I flush a toilet, run a shower or do laundry in the floor above does the water run past the holes. I can run all forms of water on the same floor as the hole and there is no leaking. Yes, the holes are at about eye-level.

It's actually two holes about an inch apart, vertically situated. The pipe is running vertical, as well.

So, I'll look into returning the putty and trying your solution.

[LazyPup]

Here is a little trick that may help simplify your project.

To gain access mark a line horizontal slightly above your required access point.

Use a sheetrock "stab saw" and cut horizontal until you contact the stud.

From the original starting point, now cut horizontal in the opposite direction until you contact the next stud.

Cut vertically down both sides maintaining contact with the stud as you go, until you reach the required depth.

Now cut horizontal across the bottom and carefully take the piece of sheet rock out, and set it aside.

After you have made your repairs, you can screw in a couple pieces of 2 x 4 on the inside of the studs, and the piece of sheetrock you removed will fit back in for and exact fit.

screw the sheetrock in place, mud and tape, and paint.