Method of pipe cap extraction

A method of preparing a lateral sewer pipe for connection to a sewer outlet pipe, the lateral sewer pipe having a cylindrical cross-section with an inner and outer diameter, an end and an end cap telescopically plugging the end, the end cap having a cylindrical wall portion and a flange spaced from the end and extending uniformly radially outward from the wall portion to points between the inner and outer diameter, comprising steps of:

• digging a hole to the lateral sewer pipe;
• providing a tool having a frame member, a pair of parallel legs depending at upper ends from opposite ends of the frame member, a pipe engaging ring orthogonally depending from lower ends of the legs, a torque screw threadedly extending through the frame member and between the legs, a crank member rotatably mounted at the bottom of the torque screw, and a pair of cap-gripping, hook-shaped fingers pivotally depending from opposite ends of the crank member, the fingers having a length measured from the crank member substantially less than the length of the crank member, and wherein the crank member with depending fingers is freely rotatable through 360.degree. about the torque screw;
• manually maneuvering said tool relative to the lateral pipe so that the ring passes over and encircles the end of the lateral pipe;
• fixing the ring to the lateral pipe to prevent movement of the device in at least one axial direction along the lateral pipe;
• turning the torque screw relative to the frame member until the hook-shaped fingers are partially disposed radially outside of the flange and partially disposed between the flange of the end cap and the end of the lateral pipe;
• pulling the end cap axially away from the lateral pipe by turning the torque screw in the appropriate direction relative to the frame member.