**Tool Overview - Problem & Solution **
The plumbing code in most states requires that the waste & vent system be air or water tested on the rough in inspection and be manometer or smoke tested on the final inspection. (1/27# Approx.) This requires the use of test caps or plugs in the roof vent terminals. Vent piping which is normally sch. 40 PVC or ABS and is usually capped with a glue in frangible cap as manufactured. This is easier for the plumber to push through the roof cap from below.

The problem in recent years, with increased roof pitches, has been the difficulty in the removal of these caps after the plumbing final test. The normal procedure presently, is that a person has to climb on the roof and knock out the caps with a hammer and pliers or a saw. This has proved to be time consuming, and many times dangerous, depending on the roof pitch, and weather conditions. (snow, frost or rain).

Many times this is a two man job, requiring that a rope be thrown over the roof for a tie off. (OSHA Requirement). I have also had plumbers install mechanical couplings on the vent pipe in the attic. They then have to access the attic after the final test, remove the test cap, and reinstall the pipe through the roof jack. This is done to avoid scaling the roof and is very time consuming, messy and damages the attic insulation.

The concept of this device, is to alleviate the problem of getting on the roof or in the attic, and thus create a safer workplace and save time and money.

Problem:

1. Labor cost to remove test caps on roof.
2. Safety aspect of accessing the roof.
3. Possible delay in having a properly functioning plumbing system because of weather.
4. Occasionally having a larger wafer fragment entering the vent pipe.
5. Time involved with vent pipe markers.
6. Damage Roof Integrity due to traffic

Tool Advantages:

1. Labor savings pulling caps.
2. Safety aspect of ascending roof.
3. No delay in pulling caps due to roof conditions.
4. No fragments entering plumbing system.
5. No vent marker labor.
6. No Roof Traffic

Tool Overview

1. Re Usable.
2. Highly Visible.
3. Connecting loop is larger diameter than interior of pipe - cannot inadvertently fall down vent.
4. Tool can be pushed through roof jack on rough in with no more difficulty than pipe alone.
5. Tool is left in until final inspection.
6. If plumber knows the roofer, a line and weight can be attached by plumber, and left by roofer at roof edge - eliminating need for retrieval device.
7. Broken out test cap can be removed and new cap installed to tool in seconds!

You can easily see which is more cost effective.

From now on, remember the Pipe Crown on all future projects. It might save your life!