4 Ways to Fix a Rusting and Leaking Cast Iron Sewer Pipe
- Hydro-jetting. Not long ago, clogged sewer lines were snaked using long, steel augers. With hydro-jetting, just as the name suggests, we use high pressurized water to clean out clogs.
- Pipe bursting. If a pipe has lost its structural integrity or has a straight run, we will use pipe bursting instead.
- Trenchless sewer pipe lining. Also called structural pipe lining, or cured-in-place lining (CIPP), sewer pipe lining involves a special, epoxy-impregnated liner to create a new pipe directly inside your ...
- Conventional sewer repair. Unfortunately, sometimes a sewer pipe is so badly damaged that no trenchless sewer repair is available.
How to repair cast iron without welding?
- Put on a dust mask, safety glasses and work gloves.
- Remove loose metal debris and rust from the pipe at the area of the hole, using a steel putty knife.
- Use the putty knife to fill the hole with cast-iron patching compound.
- Loosen and remove the nut from the bolt on a rubber-lined sleeve clamp, using a nut driver.
How much does it cost to replace cast iron pipe?
Whole-House Plumbing Cost Factors
- Home Size – The bigger the house, the more the plumbing or replumbing will cost. ...
- Number of Appliances – Water-using appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters will add to the cost. ...
- Layout – Once you add a second floor and even third floor, pipes need to be run up to it. ...
Should you replace cast iron pipes?
What Cast Iron Drain Pipe Options Work?
- Trenching Sometimes, a drain pipe is so severely damaged that no trenchless method is viable. ...
- Pipe Lining (Trenchless) A unique, epoxy-impregnated liner is inserted into the old pipe, inflates, and creates a new pipe structure directly inside the old one. ...
- Pipe Bursting (Trenchless)
How to cut and replace cast iron pipe?
To cut cast iron with an angle grinder, you will need to do the following:
- Mark the cut line on the cast iron pipe using chalk or crayon. ...
- Use a diamond cutting wheel/blade to cut through the cast iron with an angle grinder.
- Run the angle grinder along your cut line by applying even pressure all the way around the pipe.
- Safely remove the pipe from the plumbing segment after you have completely cut through the pipe.
How do you seal a cast iron pipe joint?
Work the dampened compound into the joint a few inches at a time. Then tamp it down with a hammer and caulking iron. Continue adding and tamping the caulking a few inches at a time until the complete length has been packed into the joint.
Should I replace cast iron sewer pipe with PVC?
Durable – Polyvinyl Chloride can last up to 70 years or more. Replacing cast iron pipe is expensive as they deteriorate from oxidization. Cleaner – Because PVC doesn't corrode or rust, you won't get any metal in your sewage or drinking pipes. It's a non-toxic material, safe to use for all kinds of plumbing purposes.
Can you reline a cast iron pipe?
Relining cast iron drain pipes will join together any gaps and leaks on the pipe, thereby restoring it to its full-functional state.
How do you fix a black sewer line?
0:221:35How to Repair Cracked Drain Pipe [EASY] - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet's go ahead and apply this we get the release liner get an edge started. This release linerMoreLet's go ahead and apply this we get the release liner get an edge started. This release liner started. We're gonna put it right over the hole. And then I'll finish pulling the release liner. Down.
How do I convert cast iron plumbing to PVC pipe?
0:081:32Tie In to Cast-Iron Pipe With PVC - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere's how first fabricate your PVC y fitting by gluing two short lengths of pipe on either endMoreHere's how first fabricate your PVC y fitting by gluing two short lengths of pipe on either end leaving enough exposed pipe to make the connection with the no hug fittings.
Can you replace a section of cast iron pipe with PVC?
Cast iron pipe can be effectively cut with a reciprocating saw, angle grinder, hacksaw, or snap cutter. Mark the cut line on the cast iron pipe using chalk and cut through the pipe by applying even pressure. Replace the cut segments of cast iron pipe with PVC pipe using Fernco flexible couplings.
What is the life expectancy of cast iron sewer pipe?
between 80-100 yearsCast Iron: Cast iron pipes last between 80-100 years, and are built to withstand a high amount of water pressure. However, like galvanized steel, cast iron piping has been found to be susceptible to rust over time.
Can you sleeve a cast iron pipe?
From outside your property we open the cast iron pipe that needs to be repaired, clean out the rust, scale and roots, and then install a new “pipe liner” or sleeve which has been saturated with a special self-hardening epoxy resin.
How do you epoxy cast iron pipe?
0:046:41How the Twins team repairs cast iron pipe WITHOUT construction!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo in this case we have a two-part epoxy - resins mixed together and we have an errand version withMoreSo in this case we have a two-part epoxy - resins mixed together and we have an errand version with a balloon it actually goes inside the pipe.
How do you repair cracked cast iron?
First, buy epoxy putties such as Quick Steel or JB Weld at your local hardware store. These two types of epoxies will serve as glue and will adhere to cast iron and fill the crack with a safe seal. Using 80-grit sandpaper, sand the cast iron to remove any paint and rust that might be covering the crack.
How do you use JB weld on a cast iron pipe?
All you have to do is wet, apply and let it dry and in 15 minutes it hardens like steel!...J-B Weld FiberWeld Pipe Repair CastSet Time: 5-10 minutes.Cure Time: 15-20 minutes.Water Pressure Strength: 500 PSI.Surface Applications: Copper, Cast Iron, PVC, ABS, Galvanized Steel, Rubber and more!
Why PVC is better that cast iron pipe?
Cast iron pipes are extremely resistant to heat and won't melt. Flexibility. Although cast iron is strong, it can be brittle and break when blunt force trauma is applied. PVC is a much more flexible material and can withstand these forces without breaking.
Should old cast iron plumbing be replaced?
Should You Repair or Replace Cast Iron Drain Pipes? Because cast iron piping was only designed to last 50 years, it's best to replace your pipes sooner rather than later if you start to see deterioration.
Does PVC last longer than cast iron?
Cast iron often lasts significantly longer than PVC piping when utilized in drainage systems. Cast iron piping can last several decades, if not for a century. One downside of cast iron is that it is susceptible to rusting if not maintained properly.
What is the life expectancy of cast iron sewer pipe?
between 80-100 yearsCast Iron: Cast iron pipes last between 80-100 years, and are built to withstand a high amount of water pressure. However, like galvanized steel, cast iron piping has been found to be susceptible to rust over time.
How much does trenchless sewer repair cost?
Trenchless sewer repair can cost anywhere between $4,000-$15,000 for the average single family home.
How long does a sewer repair project take?
Trenchless sewer repair can take as little as one day. Conventional sewer repair may last a week or more.
Will trenchless sewer repair destroy my home?
No. Trenchless sewer repair does not destroy your home. No trenches will need to be dug through your home or property.
What is your service area?
New Flow Plumbing provides sewer repair services to customers within a 20 mile radius of our office at 6718 Katherine Ave Van Nuys, CA 91405 includ...
How long does trenchless sewer repair last?
Trenchless sewer repair typically adds 50 – 100 years of life-use to your sewer lines.
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes. We provide a minimum 7-year parts and labor warranty on all sewer repair projects.
How long have you been in business?
We have been family-owned and operated for over 10 years.
Does trenchless sewer repair require a permit?
City requirements may vary. Please call for details.
What other services do you provide?
Besides trenchless sewer repair, we offer: Hydro-Jetting Sewer Camera Inspection Drain Cleaning Water Heaters Residential and Commercial Plumbing R...
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Our California State License Board (CSLB) number is 974766.
How much does trenchless sewer repair cost?
Trenchless sewer repair can cost anywhere between $4,000-$15,000 for the average single family home.
How long does a sewer repair project take?
Trenchless sewer repair can take as little as one day. Conventional sewer repair may last a week or more.
Will trenchless sewer repair destroy my home?
No. Trenchless sewer repair does not destroy your home. No trenches will need to be dug through your home or property.
What is your service area?
New Flow Plumbing provides sewer repair services to customers within a 20 mile radius of our office at 6718 Katherine Ave Van Nuys, CA 91405 includ...
How long does trenchless sewer repair last?
Trenchless sewer repair typically adds 50 – 100 years of life-use to your sewer lines.
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes. We provide a minimum 7-year parts and labor warranty on all sewer repair projects.
How long have you been in business?
We have been family-owned and operated for over 10 years.
Does trenchless sewer repair require a permit?
City requirements may vary. Please call for details.
What other services do you provide?
Besides trenchless sewer repair, we offer: Hydro-Jetting Sewer Camera Inspection Drain Cleaning Water Heaters Residential and Commercial Plumbing R...
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Our California State License Board (CSLB) number is 974766.
Why does my cast iron sewer line fail?
There are many reasons why your cast iron sewer pipes are beginning to fail. First off, all iron rusts when exposed to moisture or oxygen. Your sewer pipes are going to be constantly running waste and sewage, causing them to rust and corrode.
How long does a CIPP last?
CIPP is designed to last up to 50 years!
How to get sewer lines working again?
How to get your sewer pipes working again. 1. Hydro-jetting. Not long ago, clogged sewer lines were snaked using long, steel augers. With hydro-jetting, just as the name suggests, we use high pressurized water to clean out clogs. We can even remove small tree roots in the pipe.
What does it mean when your pipes are rusting?
Those roots will begin to reach and touch your pipes, even breaking inside them to cause problems. Here are a few things to watch out for that means your pipes are rusting and leaking. Odors that smell like sewage. Slow draining and clogging in your pipes. Mold growing on your walls or floors.
Can you repair sewer lines with trenchless methods?
Conventional sewer repair. Unfortunately, sometimes a sewer pipe is so badly damaged that no trenchless sewer repair is available. Pipes that are back-pitched, meaning the original contractors failed to use the right slope for your sewer line to your city connection, cannot also be fixed using trenchless methods.
Can you replace cast iron pipes with PVC?
You may think that just replacing old pipes is the faster and cheaper solution to failing cast iron pipes. If you cut out a leaking or rusted section of pipe and replace it with PVC, you now have two ends that will leak soon. The cast iron on each side will continue to crumble or crack and break.
What is a bursting pipe?
Pipe bursting is where a new HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipe is attached to a winch with a cone-shaped bursting head and pulled through the damaged line. The damaged pipe breaks apart as the new one takes its place.
How much does it cost to repair a sewer line?
Conventional sewer repair, on average, costs $50 to $450 per linear foot. The price to install brand new pipes throughout your home or yard could run to $15,000 because of all the extensive work, such as trenching and excavation.
What happens if a drain pipe leaks?
When a drain pipe leaks sewage, the excess water will cause the soil to expand and shrink (if the foundation was built on top of expansive soil) causing your foundation to shift. If a drain pipe is damaged, rats, mice, sewer flies, cockroaches, or palmetto bugs can enter your home.
How long does cast iron last?
They are supposed to have a life-use of around 50 to 100 years, but unavoidable circumstances affect the material’s longevity. Signs you might have a problem include, If you have backups in all of your toilets, sinks, and showers, the cast iron sewer pipe (which connects all of them) is probably faulty. If you can smell sewage in your house, you ...
What happens if you put a pipe under a concrete driveway?
If builders laid a pipe underneath concrete, it had to be chipped away with jackhammers or picks. If your line ran under your driveway, that would mean pavement, asphalt, or brick had to be broken apart. Let’s not forget inside your kitchen or bedroom.
What is an epoxy liner?
A unique, epoxy-impregnated liner is inserted into the old pipe, inflates, and creates a new pipe structure directly inside the old one. Pipe lining can be considered replacement or repair depending on whether the whole pipe length will be lined or just a section.
What color is cast iron?
Most homes built before the 1970s are equipped with cast iron pipe. Their blackish-brown color and hard material help identify them. Cast-iron drain pipes are strong, but nature has a way of breaking things down over time.
Tools & Materials
To get started, you’ll need the following list of tools and materials. But keep in mind, before you make any purchases or rentals, the labor involved in excavating and repairing a sewer line pipe is heavy. Don’t attempt this unless you’re in good physical health.
1. Mark the Sewer Line
Begin by tracing the path of the sewer line from the main drain to the sewer or septic tank. Ask your local authorities for permission to work on the sewer pipe, and for information about its location and depth.
2. Reinforce the Trench
If the soil is loose or sandy, make the trench safe to work in by shoring its walls. Clay soil generally does not require shoring. Gravel soil requires shoring at the bottom only.
3. Brace the Trench Walls
Cut enough 2x4s, slightly longer than the width of the trench, to brace the walls every three or four feet. Mail each of the supports to the plywood sheets between waist and shoulder height. Leave enough space between braces to dig with a shovel.
4. Expose the Main Line (Sewer Line)
Because you likely won’t have access to (or the expertise to operate) a sewer line inspection camera, you will have to find the damaged pipe manually.
5. Prepare to Cut the Cast Iron Pipe
We’re at about the halfway mark in making the cast iron sewer pipe repair. Good job.
6. Cut the Cast Iron Pipe
Wearing your safety goggles, pump the handle of the ratchet back and forth to cut through the pipe. Loosen the adjusting knob, unlock the chain, slide the ratchet cutter to the other chalk mark and repeat the process.
What is trenchless pipe lining?
Trenchless pipe lining is the most modern method as it involves no excavation or digging whatsoever. In essence, from outside the house or the building where the cleanout exists, the pipe is cleaned using a hydro jetter machine and or a pipe drain snake machine.
How long does it take for concrete to cure?
Keep in mind that when concrete is we poured it is “green”. That means it needs about 14 days to cure during which time it is excretes calcium carbonate crystals and water which means you’re not able to put carpet or tile over the floor during that period.
Can you repair a cast iron drain without digging?
Methods to repair cast iron sewer drains without digging through floors. If you found our website, you’re probably freak ed out because your plumber discovered that your cast iron sewer drains have long cracks or holes in them, and they recommend digging up your entire house for a few weeks to replace your cast iron sewer drains ...
Cast Iron Pipe Repair: Instructions
Old cast iron pipes are intimidating for homeowners. Because they lasted so long without problems, most people ignore them. But you do so at your own peril. All cast-iron pipes eventually break, corrode, or leak. And when they do, it’s often a leak from the cast-iron joint.
Final Thoughts
Those old cast-iron pipes, most often found in older homes, look intimidating. That, and because they lasted so long without problems, is probably why homeowners are often too scared to mess with them. But they eventually break, corrode, or leak. And often it’s from the cast-iron joint.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with a drain repair or replacement, including your stacks and vents.