# removing stuck plastic wall clean-out plugs

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-stuck-plastic-wall-clean-out-plugs/753758>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 3, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-stuck-plastic-wall-clean-out-plugs/753758 "2016-05-03T04:28:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![deanthefoul-mouthedplumber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@deanthefoul-mouthedplumber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deanthefoul-mouthedplumber)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-stuck-plastic-wall-clean-out-plugs/753758/1 "2016-05-03T04:28:15Z")

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All the recommendations on this forum provide great advice for removing cast-iron wall clean-out plugs! Houses that were built within the last 30 years have plastic clean-out plugs (because plastic is cheaper than cast iron)! Using a propane torch on plastic pipes is not a good idea - it tends to melt the pipes and set one’s house on fire.  
Because the original sheet-rocker did not provide a large enough hole around the clean-out plug to fit a pipe wrench, I propose to enlarge the hole just enough so both the wrench and the existing stainless steel cover-plate fit over said enlarged hole.  
If I successfully open the plug, I will certainly post advice on this forum giving the impression that I knew what I was doing all along…just like the rest of you “smug-alecs”.  
Sincerely:  
deanthefoul-mouthedplumber

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**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-stuck-plastic-wall-clean-out-plugs/753758/2 "2016-05-03T13:45:14Z")

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Well, the brute-force way is to get a hole saw smaller than the OD of the plug (3 1/2" for a 4" plug, e.g), drill the cap out and then pull the remains out with pliers. Put the new plug in with anti-seize on it. Sounds excessive, but it takes maybe 10-15 minutes instead of jacking with it for hours. This also works with brass plugs stuck in cast iron, for the record.

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**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-stuck-plastic-wall-clean-out-plugs/753758/3 "2016-05-03T13:55:12Z")

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[Have you tried a clean-out plug wrench?](http://perfectoproducts.net/clean-out-plug-wrenches/)

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-stuck-plastic-wall-clean-out-plugs/753758/4 "2016-05-03T15:37:50Z")

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Since I don’t see an actual question here, I’m going to close this.

**deanthefoul-mouthedplumber** , insults are not permitted on this board outside the Pit. Please read the forum rules and FAQs before posting again.

Colibri  
General Questions Moderator