Cast iron pipes were popular in the 1970s and early 1980s. They are durable and their ability to resist damage is quite impeccable. But why don’t homeowners with cast iron pipes today get tired of fixing these pipes here and there?
First of all, these houses are old! No plumbing lasts forever. Especially with cast iron, rust that has built up over the years will slowly corrode and eat away at the metal, giving more cracks and leaking problems.
That said, there are ways to repair a cast iron pipe. Now, if the damage is too brutal, you may want to get in touch with a professional without wasting much time. Follow this guide to repair your cast iron pipes for minor problems!
What are the signs of leaking cast iron pipes?
First of all, sewer odor is one of the major signs of a leaking pipe. Once you figure out the area where the pipes might be leaking, use a flashlight to identify the leak, hole or cracks. Looking for moisture in the soil around the area can also help you hunt.
Additionally, wrapping a paper towel over the potential leaking surface can also help you identify damage. Check for wet spots at frequent intervals.
How to repair a hole or crack in cast iron pipe?
Small holes or cracks in your cast iron pipe can be repaired quickly and easily using cast iron repair compounds. This DIY procedure is perfect for easily accessible damaged cast iron pipe repair.
Step 1. Wear safety gear:
While repair of a cast iron pipe it may not seem like a risky job, but you still need to protect yourself from the bad smell and rust that you will face later. Put on a mask and a pair of work gloves before you get your hands dirty in this DIY repair project.
Step 2. Clean the damaged area:
Start by removing any thick pieces of rust from the area using a putty knife. Then, smooth the area using a wire brush. If the rusty layer is too thick, feel free to use a sander for this purpose.
Once the surface is nice and smooth, use a detergent to get rid of any oily or greasy residue on the surface. Doing so ensures that the cast iron patch compound adheres well to the surface.
Step 3. Fill in the imperfection:
Finally, the cast iron surface is ready to be patched and cured. Use a putty knife to fill the hole or crack with compound. Some of the best epoxies for cast iron pipe repairs is JB Weld Twin Tube and EP-200 Plumbing Epoxy. Once you apply the compound, let it set.
Step 4. Use a weatherproof material for the larger holes:
Simply using epoxy on large holes is simply not practical and the epoxy will not set. Instead, wrap a layer of weatherproof adhesive membrane or waterproof plumbing tape over the damage. Use epoxy adhesive beforehand to make sure the layer is well bonded and tight.
Now use a couple of clamps, depending on the size of the hole, to make sure the membrane fits properly. Remember that clamps must be tightened with nuts to prevent leaks.
Step 5. Paint the surface:
The damage to cast iron pipes it is often due to years of rust. Once you’ve repaired the pipe, it’s best to spray a coat or two of waterproof paint to ensure that rust doesn’t bother the repaired pipe again, at least not for a year or two.
Step 6. Check the area again:
While dealing with major defects, you may miss a few tiny holes here and there. So if the cast iron pipe is too old and rusting, check nearby areas for minor damage. Running water can help with this step.
How to repair leaking cast iron pipe joints?
Joints in old cast iron pipes are often sealed with molten lead and oak. If you experience a leak from your pipe joints, follow the three steps below to reseal the joint.
1. Repair with oak:
Try packing the lead back to the hub using a hammer and chisel. Although the lead is still capable of remodeling near the problem area, sometimes this method may simply not work.
If applicable, remove the lead and oak debris from the hub. Take new oak twice the circumference of the pipe and push it into the hub using a caulking tool.
Finally, use a plastic lead sealant or soil pipes to seal the oak in place. Allow the sealant to set for approximately 6 hours before returning the drain line to action.
2. Repair with caulk:
While lead pipes have traditionally been used, it is not the preferred way of sealing cast iron joints these days, given America’s lead-free law. So if your cast iron lead joints flowyou should probably take this opportunity to replace them with a cold caulk seal.
Drill the cable and slowly remove it from the hub using a chisel or screwdriver. It might be a daunting task, but while you’re out there getting your hands dirty, you might as well install a new seal!
As with oak, start by measuring the circumference of the pipe. Twice this length of cold caulking compound is required for the repair. Once cut, spray or brush some water onto the compound.
Remember not to soak the caulking compound completely. Now tap the compound onto the hub using a caulking iron and hammer until all the compound has been packed evenly. Allow the caulk to dry and set for 6 hours before allowing the liquid to enter the drain.
The benefits of replacing cast iron pipes with PVC
In most cases, plumbing experts do not recommend protective solutions to their customers and suggest replacing cast iron pipes with PVC. Well, they have a point! Below are some benefits of PVC pipes over cast iron pipes.
1. Ease:
Because PVC pipes are lightweight, you’ll only need a few plumbers to make the replacement. This means that the replacement process will cost you much cheaper. Replacing heavy cast iron requires more human resources and time, thus the installation is much more expensive.
2. Problems with plumbing less often:
If your decades-old cast iron pipes are leaking at a few joints or have a few holes and cracks here and there, it’s a serious sign that the system won’t last long. You might do some mosaic work. But these temporary solutions are only for a few months or a year or two at most.
On the other hand, PVS pipes are flexible and have tighter joints. These features ensure that you will not experience cracks, holes and joint leaks in your PVC pipes, at least not for years or even decades.
3. Cost effective in the long run:
While replacing pipes may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, PVC pipes are definitely worth it in the long run.
First, replacing old cast iron pipes means less effort and maintenance costs. Plus, your cast iron pipes aren’t meant to last forever. Sooner or later, it must be replaced. So why not replace your pipes all at once and avoid plumbing hassles once and for all!
4. Durable:
You would have just installed a brand new one PVC sanitary system. It goes without saying that you can expect decades of durability from these pipes. PVC pipes are generally estimated to last over 70 years, or even a century and more if properly maintained.
On the other hand, while cast iron pipes are still impressively durable, they deteriorate relatively quickly due to oxidation and rusting. There will also be relatively more maintenance issues in a cast iron plumbing system.
All these four points combined, PVC pipes definitely lead the race for the best plumbing pipe by miles! If you’re concerned about plumbing issues in your home, your plumbing system could be crying out for PVC replacement.
When to contact a professional?
If your cast iron pipes underground and under concrete are damaged, you should probably get in touch with a professional plumber.
Professionals begin the diagnosis by using a small camera to analyze where exactly the problem might be. Then they come up with the best solutions for the damage. If the damage seems beyond repair, they will probably suggest replacing the pipe.
If the holes are too large and in several processes, they may need to be used Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) technology.in which they insert a resin liner into a section of pipe.
Even if the pipe simply requires a patch job, you most likely won’t have the supplies to DIY in such inaccessible places.
summary
We hope we have answered all your questions about repairing cast iron pipes. Start by finding out where the leak is and treat the surface following this guide. For any other questions, feel free to comment below!
