how to repair cast iron drain pipe joint

What You Need

1. Clean Away Corrosion If water or a bad smell comes from an old leaded joint, use a cold chisel and hammer to gently tap the lead back into ...
2. Fill with Repair Paste Fill the resulting void with cast-iron pipe repair paste. Use a putty knife to apply the paste.
3. Fill Any Holes

Full Answer

Should you repair or replace cast iron sewer pipes?

• Plastic piping hadn’t been invented yet
• Cast iron pipes have a long life and were built to last for anywhere between 80-100 years
• Cast iron plumbing is durable and can withstand heavy loads/high-pressure
• The material deadens the sound of flowing water and sewage very well

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 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 to clean corroded cast iron pipes?

The Best Way to Clean Cast Iron Drain Pipes

• Dirt Buildup. Drain cleaners are generally made of various chemicals that dissolve the dirt or grease buildup in the drain pipe.
• Clogs. How you remove the clog depends on where it is located. ...
• Drain Snake. If you don't have one already, invest in a drain snake. ...

Can you repair a cast iron drain pipe?

If you have a small section of visible cast iron drain pipe with a leak or crack, you may repair the pipe yourself. But only if the problem is small and isolated, if there are leaks and cracks everywhere, you better call the professionals. You can use cast iron repair paste or plumber's epoxy to fix holes or leaks.

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.

How do you repair a hole in a cast iron drain?

Use the putty knife to fill the hole with cast-iron patching compound. To do this, apply the compound around the pipe instead of along the pipe, and use just enough compound to seal the hole.

What can I use to patch a cast iron pipe?

So, you'll want to use a steel epoxy putty repair stick. What's that you ask? It's a polymer compound that when mixed, creates a super strong bonding agent that will fix any crack/leak/hole in any cast iron pipe.

Can you repair cast iron with JB Weld?

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!

Can you patch a hole in a drain pipe?

Answer: Two options for patching the hole in your drain trap are the Multi-Purpose Epoxy Putty, as you mentioned, and the Deluxe Pipe Patch Kit. Whether you use putty or a pipe patch will depend on how permanent you want to the solution to be. Putty is often used as a permanent solution.

How do I fix a hole in my black iron pipe?

10:0613:32Huge Hole In Cast Iron Drain Pipe - Temporary Fix! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipToo just to make sure this isn't gonna drip I'm gonna take a rag and tuck it in this pipe. And justMoreToo just to make sure this isn't gonna drip I'm gonna take a rag and tuck it in this pipe. And just try and keep this dry rag in here far enough so that I can do a screwdriver jam it up into this tea.

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 seal an iron pipe?

1:555:05How To Clean and Seal Iron Pipes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs the paste wax it'll still be a little bit of an oily residue that you can barely feel with yourMoreAs the paste wax it'll still be a little bit of an oily residue that you can barely feel with your finger. And it takes a while for it to completely dry and on the pipes.

How do you seal a black iron gas pipe?

0:121:56Sealing Black Iron Pipe Joints - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to have natural gas leaks there are two different ways to do it one way to seal pipeMoreYou're going to have natural gas leaks there are two different ways to do it one way to seal pipe joints is to go ahead and use teflon tape. It's a simple ribbon of teflon.

How do you seal a metal pipe?

0:182:21How to Repair Cracked or Leaking Pipes Without Cutting or ThreadingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply the putty into the repair area pushing it into any cracks and tapering it on to theMoreApply the putty into the repair area pushing it into any cracks and tapering it on to the surrounding surfaces. Body should be held in place until it hardens and adheres usually around 2 minutes.

How do you connect iron pipe?

0:382:12Properly Sealing Black Iron Pipe With Fittings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're unsure of how hard to tighten the fitting. Just go until there's about two or threeMoreIf you're unsure of how hard to tighten the fitting. Just go until there's about two or three threads showing and it should be perfect fittings.

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.

What to do if cast iron pipe is failing?

If this is the case, you can easily make a repair. But if a cast-iron pipe is failing at several points, the most economical solution is to replace it with PVC pipe. This is a job for a professional.

How to clean a leaded joint?

Step 1: Clean Away Corrosion. If water or a bad smell comes from an old leaded joint, use a cold chisel and hammer to gently tap the lead back into the joint. Use a wire brush and rag to clean away the corrosion.

Can you disturb cast iron clamps?

Never disturb these clamps ; as if one weakens, a long section of pipe could come crashing down. Also, some older cast-iron joints were sealed with molten lead, but don't worry. This is not a danger to your health because only wastewater passes through the pipes.

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 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 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 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.

Can a plumber use trenchless sewer?

Plumbers cannot use trenchless technology on pipes that are back-pitched, which means that the original contractors failed to use the proper slope for your sewer line to your city connection. If the pipe has collapsed onto itself, you will have to go the conventional trenching route.

Can you disturb cast iron pipe?

Do not disturb the pipe’s supports. If the cast iron pipe supports are disturbed, the heavy pipe could fall down, injuring anyone in its way. Call a professional to repair sections of pipe or large repairs. Waste pipes contain toxic waste that can be hazardous to your health. Major repairs require a professional.

Can cast iron pipes leak?

Cast iron pipes last for a long time, but this does not mean they cannot become damaged and start to leak. Leaks are usually caused by corroding sections, often around the leaded joints. A do-it-yourselfer can repair small leaks in joints and small holes, but a professional should handle large leaks. Cast iron pipes need proper care and maintenance ...

How long does it take to remove lead from a leaking joint?

1. Remove the lead and oakum in the leaking joint. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending upon the location of the joint, its size and the level of your commitment to the process.

What is a horizontal joint runner?

Horizontal joints require the use of a joint runner, which is a non-combustible rope which is clamped around the top of the joint with a space at the top into which the molten lead is poured. Every joint must consist of one inch of lead, all poured at once.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.