Plumbers struggle with old cast iron pipe replacements
10 posts across 2 communities in the last 30 days; 90% from r/Plumbing.
“I tried to convince my brother to use a PVC tub drain assembly but he was hell bent on brass, even though its hidden. At least he got a nice premium one thats thick. Old cast and brass isn't the premium materials many people believe it to be. [re: UPDATE: Found the Problem… and…”
“I'm having my bathroom redone in an old building (high riser from the 60s. I'm in Brazil if that's somehow relevant). There's a rusted cast iron pipe (about a foot long) that the contractor could not disconnect from the main PVC supply line without putting too much force into it…”
“https://preview.redd.it/z32sd8ww45rh1.png?width=1536&format=png&auto=webp&s=8d8de3802fdaa74b9c50b36093f9096c0b1bd09b Pipe is 3.5 inches interior diameter and cast iron. We can drop one of the oatey 3" twist n seals without sealing, but that's probably not optimal. Broke and…”
Multiple plumbers are facing challenges replacing or repairing existing cast iron plumbing. One plumber is dealing with a 3.5-inch diameter pipe buried two subfloor levels deep, while another struggles to repair a broken RV drain line due to its curved shape.
SOURCES (12)
“If you're using a sawzall you can buy speciality cast iron blades or blades just made for thick metal. Make sure the blade is long enough to cut all the way clear across the pipe. buy a couple extra just in case but it shouldn't…”
“You need a 4”cast iron to 4”plastic band. Just go to a plumbing supply you’ll have a hard time finding what you want at Home Depo if you don’t know what you’re looking at [re: Lead bend replace or repair for toilet?]”
“I tried to convince my brother to use a PVC tub drain assembly but he was hell bent on brass, even though its hidden. At least he got a nice premium one thats thick. Old cast and brass isn't the premium materials many people believe it to be. [re: UPDATE: Found the Problem… and That Cast Iron Was COOKED]”
“I’ve been told allowing them to connect new pvc pipe to the old cast iron, plus just digging around that and the clay tile could cause the connection to crack or break the cast iron pipe at any point in the future. Is that likely? We really aren’t in the position to have it replaced right now. I’d imagine it would still be expensive if they have to break through our basement block to replace that? [re: Neighbor Wants To Relocate My Sewage Lines; Advice Please]”
“I'm having my bathroom redone in an old building (high riser from the 60s. I'm in Brazil if that's somehow relevant). There's a rusted cast iron pipe (about a foot long) that the contractor could not disconnect from the main PVC supply line without putting too much force into it and risking damaging the main plumbing (that feeds to all the other apartments). My contractor is not the best one at this, I can admit that. What can I do to prevent it from becoming a problem in a few y”
“We had our sewer line cleaned and inspected this week and they replaced the cap/plug for the access. It's an old cast iron line. Is there anything I should try doing with this plug cap to stop the slow drip or should I just call the plumbing company back to take another look? submitted by /u/xMcNerdx [link] [comments]”
“Hello, I’m dealing with this cast iron pipe hole/leak today and I’m looking for a temporary repair until a plumber can properly replace it soon. Can I use any sort of epoxy for this? submitted by /u/ThrowRAthisthingisvl [link] [comments]”
“Pulled the toilet and found this. 65 year old cast iron, buried in a concrete slab, so would be a significant effort to replace. [re: How bad is this toilet piping?]”
“Sorry you're stuck sorting both of these out at once. The cast iron is the one I'd actually worry about, not the beam: roots are a maintenance item, but a cracked or bellied pipe is a five figure dig, so get your own plumber with a camera in there before you sign anything and take a credit instead of letting the seller 'fix' it on the cheap. And a GC being familiar isn't a structural sign off, fanning at the grain is engineer territory and I wouldn't skip that over a 26k”
“I’d still get a structural engineer to check the beam, just to be safe. Cast iron lines can last decades, but that sewer camera inspection is a must before closing. [re: Beam fanning & cast iron sewer line.. common issues?]”
“I just had a new outside line installed to fix a belly and then had a liner installed on the old cast iron it connects to. This connection was flagged by a different plumber but the ones who installed it said it's normal, just wanted to get your opinions. Thanks for the help! submitted by /u/throwaway008392900 [link] [comments]”
“https://preview.redd.it/z32sd8ww45rh1.png?width=1536&format=png&auto=webp&s=8d8de3802fdaa74b9c50b36093f9096c0b1bd09b Pipe is 3.5 inches interior diameter and cast iron. We can drop one of the oatey 3" twist n seals without sealing, but that's probably not optimal. Broke and really need to just get something done that is going to last a couple years without being an issue. The last owner's solution was just a metal flange on the floor and a wax ring crammed in there, and”