
Replacing the broken pipes under your slab by excavating and laying new ones This involves accurately locating the leak, excavating inside your house (or under it if the leak is just inside the perimeter) to reach it, replacing or repairing the troublesome pipe, reinstating the concrete foundations (if removed) and cleaning up the mess.
Full Answer
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.
How do you clean out a broken cast iron pipe?
From outside of your property where the pipe cleanout access point is located, the pipe rust and scale is removed using a hydro jetter and a drain snake. Next we use a pipe video inspection camera to determine how long the break or crack in your cast iron pipe is.
How long does it take to reline a cast iron drain?
Residential trenchless pipe relining of your cast iron or clay drains only takes a few hours and usually comes with a 50 year warranty. All the work is done from outside of the house and no digging has to occur.
Are your cast iron drain pipes causing repeat backups?
So you received the bad news that your cast iron drain pipes that have been causing repeat repeated backups or are leaking and are causing water damage or emmiting foul sewer orders have to be excavated and replaced. And you have every right to be distraught!

How do you repair a drain pipe under a slab?
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.
How do you replace cast iron under a slab?
0:033:10Cast Iron Plumbing Replacement Under A Slab Fouundation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see here that you can see the old outlet where the cast-iron plumbing was and then the newMoreYou can see here that you can see the old outlet where the cast-iron plumbing was and then the new pipe that has been inserted underneath the home I'll take you in here.
How do you fix an old cast iron pipe?
4:318:12How to Repair Cast Iron Pipe Cracks, Avoid Plumbing Fails - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor developing holes and cracks and leaks and we don't know how or why it might be the sewer gasesMoreFor developing holes and cracks and leaks and we don't know how or why it might be the sewer gases reacting with it maybe it's corrosive to it we just simply don't.
Can cast iron pipe be patched?
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.
Is pipe relining worth it?
replacement, pipe relining has a lot of benefits going for it and is an excellent method for pipe repair. From cracks to damage from tree roots, pipe relining can repair it all. It is more cost-effective than pipe replacement by drainage excavation and can be completed in a day for most cases.
How do you Repipe a house on a slab?
Repiping a house on a concrete slab typically requires several steps.Determine if there is reinforcing built into the slab. ... Acquire all permits necessary to do the work if required. ... Shut off the water supply lines.The team of plumbing technicians will reroute new pipes through walls or attic spaces.
How do you fix cast iron without welding?
There are several ideal methods that you could use to repair cast iron that does not require welding. Such techniques include brazing, the use of epoxy putty, and the use of cold metal stitching. What is this? It is recommended that you use ideal methods when repairing your cast iron pieces.
How do you stop a cast iron pipe from leaking?
0:298:12Leaking cast iron water pipe quick fix / 2022 UPDATE! It is still working!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo here's how we're going to stop the leak of plug the leak. At this epoxy vp-200 picked it up atMoreSo here's how we're going to stop the leak of plug the leak. At this epoxy vp-200 picked it up at Home Depot.
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.
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!
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 fix a big hole in a cast iron pipe?
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.
How do you tunnel under a concrete slab?
1:5419:04Tunneling Under a Concrete Footing for a Sewage Drain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo then the plumbers should be able to easily tie into our main sewer. With some common fittings andMoreSo then the plumbers should be able to easily tie into our main sewer. With some common fittings and not have to get real creative on us sure. And the other thing we did we measured the invert.
How do I find cast iron pipe under concrete?
1:028:09SIMPLE WAY TO FIND A SEWER LINE UNDER CONCRETE SLABYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what it is is it puts a signal into the line or conduit you're trying to locate and then withMoreSo what it is is it puts a signal into the line or conduit you're trying to locate and then with this wand you're able to go along and detect it under the slab or underground.
How do you replace a sewer line under a basement floor?
0:3616:17sewer line under concrete slab repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i'm going to cut this area out and repair my probably it's a three or four inch old galvanized orMoreSo i'm going to cut this area out and repair my probably it's a three or four inch old galvanized or steel drain pipe in order to cut through the concrete.
Can you replace cast iron pipe with PVC?
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.
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.
Got Broken Sewer Cast Iron Under Slab or Roots In Drain Causing Backups?
Before & After Trenchless Cured In Place Pipe Lining (Internal diameter only reduced by 6%!)
How Is This 50-Year Warranty Pipe Lining Installed?
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. The liner contains a balloon which is inflated for 3 hours while the resin becomes rock-hard.
How Much Does Trenchless Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Cost?
For residential purposes, from $150-$200 per linear foot of lining. It varies by pipe diameter, installation complexity, and customer attitude. For Commercial purposes, $175-$225 per linear foot. Commercial installation would be high-rise buildings, factories, shopping malls etc.
How Strong Is The Pipe Lining?
The pipe liner is a fabric tube made of polyester which is then “wet out” with a 2-part epoxy resin which is mixed together in a certain proportion. In about 30 minutes resin heats up by itself to 180 degrees Fahrenheit due to an exothermic chemical reaction and becomes rock hard.
How long does it take for a plumber to dig up your house?
The plumber wants $50,000 to dig up your house for two or three weeks while you have to go stay in a hotel and make arrangements for your pets. Then upon your return it is your responsibility to clean all the fecal E-coli and the concrete dust out of your home before you can move back in.
How long does it take for concrete to cure?
Also, the newly replaced concrete is green, which means it has to cure 14 days while it excretes calcium carbonate and water. During this period no tile can be installed and no carpet can be laid, s your furniture has to be put into storage as well!
Have you been told that your house has to be excavated to replace your old pipes?
Before & After Trenchless Cured In Place Pipe Lining (Internal diameter only reduced by 6%!)
How does trenchless pipe relining work?
This technology has been around for about 15 years for residential small diameter pipes. For larger pipes under roads and highways the technology has been around for about 30 years. It first came from Japan and Europe where they wanted to save structures that were thousands of years old. Learn more about pipe lining installation here.
Do not dig up your concrete slab!
Residential trenchless pipe relining of your cast iron or clay drains only takes a few hours and usually comes with a 50 year warranty. All the work is done from outside of the house and no digging has to occur.
Why do plumbers still suggest digging up concrete floors?
The reason is simple. The plumbers get to keep the all the money. Digging up a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house typically costs $25,000, whereas pipe relining will cost about half that much. plumbers do not want to give up the $25,000 in revenues. So they will make all sorts of excuses as to why your pipes will not be able to be relined.
There are other disadvantages of excavating concrete slabs
You literally have to pack your suitcase and move out while the plumbers make an enormous mess inside your property. There will be mountains of sand, and the concrete saws cutting through your old sewer pipes distribute a dirty bacterial Ecoli aerosol throughout the house, which is almost impossible to clean up properly.
