Hello all, I am installing a fernco coupling to join two 3 inch pvc sewer pipes. I bought a 3 inch coupling and it seems almost impossible to slip it on the 3 inch pipe. Is there a “trick” to make the coupling slip onto the pipe easier. I tried wetting the pipe and coupling with water and that helped very little. I have to install this fitting on an existing pipe in a ditch and there is no way that the coupling will slip on the pipe without some kind of lubricant.. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated…
Make sure the coupling is for the correct type of pipe (cast iron, clay, pvc, etc), and a bit of dishwashing liquid on the pipe (not the fernco, or you can’t grab it) makes a huge difference.
Don’t be offended, but I’ll ask if the hose clamps are fully backed off the coupling. Also make sure the edges of the pipe aren’t flared or burred.
If it’s really stubborn a liberal smearing of silicon O-ring lubricant will do the job. So will K-Y. Put it on both the coupling and the pipe.
If you are still having problems, maybe you should change from a fenco to a mission clamp. It is easier to slide on and you can peel back the rubber to make it even easier if needed. Then slide the clamp on, or undo it and put it around pipe after the rubber is installed. It is also a much better clamp if you can use it because it has a stainless steel metal band with 2 clamps to hold the pipe more secure and will also support the pipe. A fernco can sag if not properly backfilled and can cause a lip which you get backups from.
Posted under Plumbing
This post was written by admin on August 25, 2008
I just finished using 3″ Fernco couplings yesterday to splice a new down spout into my rain drain system. I heated some water in a large pot to boiling, removed it from the heat, and placed the rubber part (with bands removed) into the water for five minutes. The inside diameter of the coupling grew enough to easily slip it onto the pipe. Within a few minutes it had shrunk back to its pre-heated size and couldn’t be moved along the pipe length. (Don’t forget to put the bands on before installing the coupling)
Very nice idea and I will also try to implement this process and will see the benefits of it.