What You Need
- Clean Away Corrosion SCP_113_02.jpg If water or a bad smell comes from an old leaded joint, use a cold chisel and hammer to gently tap the lead back ...
- Fill with Repair Paste SCP_113_03.jpg Fill the resulting void with cast-iron pipe repair paste. Use a putty knife to apply the paste.
- Fill Any Holes
Full Answer
How to fix rusting and leaking cast iron sewer pipe?
4 Ways to Fix a Rusting and Leaking Cast Iron Sewer Pipe 1 Hydro-jetting. Not long ago, clogged sewer lines were snaked using long, steel augers. ... 2 Pipe bursting. If a pipe has lost its structural integrity or has a straight run, we will use pipe bursting instead. 3 Trenchless sewer pipe lining. ... 4 Conventional sewer repair. ...
Are there alternatives to repairing cast iron drain pipes?
The good news for you is that there are modern alternatives to repairing the cast iron drain pipes under your slab without having to excavate through the floor or digging from outside of your property. It’s also much less money to do the trenchless pipe repairs than by digging for pipe replacement.
What happens when a drain pipe breaks under a basement floor?
From the break or crack in the water or sewer pipe line, water or waste seeps into the ground and your foundation. Because of the extensive damage broken drain pipes under basement, garage and other slab floors can cause, it’s vital to detect and quickly act on these types of leaks.
Do Your cast iron sewer drains have holes in them?
If you found our website, you’re probably freaked 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 the old-fashioned way. Well forget about that!
How do you fix a drain pipe under concrete?
1:225:12How to Repair a Sewer Pipe Under a Concrete Slab | This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown the cut ahead at the end of the drain snake will scrape the inside of the pipe. And remove theMoreDown the cut ahead at the end of the drain snake will scrape the inside of the pipe. And remove the last of those tree roots to leave a nice clean pipe.
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 fix a crack in a cast iron drain pipe?
3:458:12How to Repair Cast Iron Pipe Cracks, Avoid Plumbing Fails - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you kind of knead it. Around. Make sure you've gotten all the way. Through. It and i'm going toMoreAnd you kind of knead it. Around. Make sure you've gotten all the way. Through. It and i'm going to scoop it here. And apply it right on the area where the crack.
How do you replace a cast iron floor drain?
0:025:44Replacing a Basement Floor Drain and Trap - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you always want to make sure your traps holding water this is an old cast-iron trap.MoreSo you always want to make sure your traps holding water this is an old cast-iron trap.
How do you seal an old cast iron pipe?
As the epoxy putty completes mixing, the two contrasting colours will blend into a cast iron colour. You then apply the epoxy putty by pushing it into the hole or crack in the pipe. Within 10 minutes, the putty will harden, sealing 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.
Does JB Weld work on cast iron pipes?
Great For Repairs On: Copper, Cast Iron, PVC, ABS, Galvanized Steel, Rubber and more! Do it Yourself: Big or small, you can DIY it with J-B Weld.
Can I use JB Weld on cast iron pipe?
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.
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 much does it cost to replace cast iron pipes under slab?
Cost of repairing (not replacing) a cast iron drain pipe under a house. The typical price range to repair a cast iron drain line is roughly $225 to $1,169. Depending on the accessibility, because the pipe is under the house, the level of difficulty will be increased. The price could increase to as much as $2,800.
How much does it cost to replace cast iron with PVC pipe?
Average Cost to Replace a Drain Line by Type of PipeTypePrice Per Foot30-Foot Project Cost*Cast Iron$10 – $20$375 – $900Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)$0.50 – $5$19 – $225Copper$2 – $10$75 – $450Polypropylene (PP)$1 – $10$37.50 – $4501 more row•Jun 2, 2022
How long will cast iron pipe last in the ground?
between 80-100 yearsCast Iron: Cast iron pipes last between 80-100 years, and are built to withstand a high amount of water pressure.
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 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.
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.
Do cast iron pipes need to be replaced?
Based on the fact that all cast iron sewer pipes will need to be replaced, we strongly recommend that cast iron pipe under a concrete slab be replaced and not repaired.
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 ...
Leaky Cast Iron Drain Pipes Under a Floor Slab Send Sewer Gases into HVAC Ducts
A reader ( Conrad) provided us with the photographs and case history of the successful track-down of sewer gas odors in a building ( SEWER GAS ODORS ). The case began with a complaint of sewer gas odors in the building's heating duct work system.
Photographs of Finding, Excavating & Diagnosing Transite Duct & Cast Iron Drains Buried Under the Basement Slab
The photo at below left shows the basement floor slab cut open to permit replacement of the leaky cast iron drain line. At below right our final photograph shows the new white PVC drain piping installed in the floor.
Photos of Repairs to the Leaky Cast Iron in-Slab Drain Lines
At above right and in more photographs below we show the sewer line break repairs and floor re-tiled kindly sent along by reader Conrad.
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.
How much does it cost to repair a drain under a slab?
Typically if you were to excavate your floors to do the drain repair under your slab you should expect to pay about $450 per linear foot. Trenchless drain repair under your slab costs about a $150 per linear foot and takes about two days to do, as opposed to two weeks for excavation for drain repair under the slab.
Can you repair cast iron pipes under a slab?
The good news for you is that there are modern alternatives to repairing the cast iron drain pipes under your slab without having to excavate through the floor or digging from outside of your property. It’s also much less money to do the trenchless pipe repairs than by digging for pipe replacement.
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 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 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.
What happens when water is leaking from a pipe under a concrete slab?
Additionally, if warm water is leaking from a pipe under your slab, it can create hot spots or small pools of water on the concrete floor. Sounds of leaking or running water: When a faucet is on, you can hear the water running through the pipes in your home.
What causes a slab leak?
When there is a break in a pipe that runs under the concrete foundation of your home, a slab leak is in full effect. From the break or crack in the water or sewer pipe line, water or waste seeps into the ground and your foundation. Because of the extensive damage broken drain pipes under basement, garage and other slab floors can cause, ...
How to tell if a concrete slab is leaking?
Warm or wet spots on the concrete floor: Because slabs are porous, you may be able to tell there’s a sewer line break just by looking at the floor. If there is a large water or damp spot, it’s more than likely a slab leak. Additionally, if warm water is leaking from a pipe under your slab, it can create hot spots or small pools ...
Can a water leak be under a slab?
A high water bill does not necessarily mean there’s a slab leak, though. If the plumbing inside your home seems sound, then you could have an unseen slab leak beneath your home’s foundation. If you suspect you have a broken drain pipe under your basement, garage or other slab flooring, it’s crucial to contact a licensed team ...
