How to Repair Old Cast Iron Drain Pipe
When a small section of a cast iron pipe begins to crumble and a joint begins to leak, it signals the need for professional intervention. While cast iron pipes are known for their durability, they are susceptible to corrosion over time, leading to potential leaks and structural problems. In such cases, replacing the compromised sections with PVC pipe is a practical and cost-effective solution. Here’s how we expertly executed the project.
Client’s Problem
A small section of a pipe starts to crumble, and a joint begins to leak, even though most of the pipe is sound. Cast iron pipes fail in several places, the most economical solution is to replace them with PVC pipes, which is the job of a professional.
Service
Cast iron pipes are known for their durability and longevity. However, just like any pipe, cast iron eventually requires maintenance. Corrosion causes the iron to weak and break down. Left unchecked, the pipes may leak and cause major problems inside your home.
When a leak occurs, it is important to find it quickly so that the damage can be repaired as soon as possible. In order to do this, a plumber will perform a CCTV sewer camera inspection of your system. The camera crawls through all parts of your piping, measuring and recording everything. It will spot any cracks or issues, allowing you to decide whether they need to be fixed immediately or not.
Benefits of Replacing Cast Iron Pipe With PVC
- Lightweight: Compared to cast iron, PVC is lightweight, easy to move and quicker to install.
- Cost Effective: Because fewer plumbers are needed to install the pipes, this means less labor, heavy materials and shipping.
- Flexible: PVC is highly flexible and resists ground movement and displacement.
- Fewer Tears: Due to its flexibility, PVC is the first choice for high pressure and high motion areas.
- Stronger Connection: Compared to other pipe types such as cast iron and terracotta (clay), PVC pipes have the highest connection tightness.
- Reduce Leaks: If the connections are not tight enough, leaks will occur more frequently than usual. When the joints are weaker, the roots are more likely to detect running water, causing more problems.
- Durable: PVC can last up to 70 years or more.
- Cleaner: It is a non-toxic material that is safe for various plumbing purposes.
Solution from Almco Plumbing
Our solution step-by-step:
- Digging, removing the old pipe.
- Hydro-jetting. Cleaning the intact part of the pipe.
- Install the new epoxy line, connecting all nodes.
- Sewer Camera Inspection for checking all lines.
- We fill up the pipe and bring the landscape back to normal.
- Two exits from the pipe were provided for quick access in the future.
- Cleaning up the workplace. We finished. It takes over 2 days.
It’s time for Almco Plumbing to save the day. We start with a CCTV sewer camera inspection to determine where your problem is coming from. We will then provide you with a free repair estimate followed by available repair options. No matter what goes wrong, Almco Plumbing will make sure your pipeline is running flawlessly again.
Conclusion
In summary, by replacing the corroded cast iron pipes with PVC, Almco Plumbing provided a cost-effective, long-lasting solution that eliminated leaks and improved the overall plumbing system. The project not only restored the integrity of the home’s plumbing, but also ensured a future-proof system with fewer maintenance concerns. With the new PVC pipes in place, the client can now enjoy reliable, leak-free plumbing for many years to come.
Review by Erika
We had to repair old iron drains. We contacted Almco Plumbing, and they sent a team to fix the problem. Vlad is professional and polite. He quickly fixed the sewer. The prices are quite reasonable, and the service is great. My husband and I will definitely be using Almco again!
