Question about lining 90 year old cast iron sewer pipe

scott w.

Anyone have any experience with lining deteriorated cast iron sewer pipe in basement floor? Anything to be aware of when hiring a contractor? Is there more than one type of pipe lining product? What is the expected life of a lined pipe?

Deteriorated line is about 65 feet across the basement floor. Complete pipe is just crumbling. Instead of line going out the front (north) wall that faces the street, sewer line starts at east wall ( master bath ) to the complete opposite (west) side of the house. Main pipe has three junctions for three other bathrooms. One junction off the main to 2nd floor guest bath has an outdoor drain at bottom of what used to be outdoor steps up to grade. (now covered at grade with a concrete slab and a bay window sitting on top of slab) .

Have another 25 feet that of the line outdoors that is clay pipe with roots as a 60 year old pin oak sits on top of. Can the clay pipe be cleaned of roots and lined as well. The uphill side is a cleanout made of plastic sewer pipe where it meets the clay. Downhill side of the tree, clay pipe meets up with plastic that goes all the way to the main line. Can this outdoor section be be lined as well.

Jamie Hall

Odd that cast iron "crumbles". It's usually pretty tough.

What is the diameter of the lines? If they are oversize relative to modern codes, then it is possible they can be lined, but in small diameter pipe it's not easy. Another possibility if it really is crumbled is pipe bursting and pulling a new line through.

People who do this sort of thing do exist, but they aren't all the common.

tim smith

I would venture to say if collapsed they wont be able to line but maybe pipe burst and pull new line through. Would need to open up at branches although. Not a sewer specialist just a somewhat informed heating guy & building owner. Been here done that.

mattmia2

Are you sure it is CI and not clay under the basement slab? In some areas clay was common even indoors.

With all the junctions I'm not sure you won't have to dig up most of it anyhow.

Intplm.

Cast iron and clay can be lined. It depends on the company doing the job and what product they use.

A reputable company will do a full accessment of your system and offer their advice. They should send a camera down the piping to determine how feasible it is to do the job.

I would also get a plumbers perspective on how to correct your issue. You might be surprised as to how plumbing can be re-routed, pumped and plumbed for a drainage upgrade. The cost can be less in some sercomstances, and be a better more reliable job.

Companies vary from how they do things. You will need to find a company(s) in your area.

scott w.

Yes, most definitely the pipe is cast iron. Dug up the complete garage floor. You could put a shovel through the sewer pipe it was so brittle. The only thing holding the pipe together was the soil.

Really only two options to repair the problem. Concrete cutting of the slab then dig and replace or do some pipe lining which is expensive. I have a really nice epoxy floor installed about 10 years ago that was not cheap and hate to destroy. Dread the thought of concrete cutting and all that white dust going through out the whole house. No matter how hard your try to seal everything it is impossible. I know what it was like when I removed the complete slab in the two car garage a couple of years ago. UGH!!!! Tried to seal everything but still could taste the dust on the first floor when work was happening.

Thinking pipe companies are a rare bird since no one at this point on
"The Wall" has any experience with the product. Appreciate all the comments.

Intplm.

I actually have had some experience, hence the reason for my post above.

If your shovel goes through the pipe, thats a very telling sign that the pipe may not take a lining.

Again, get some opinions from both a plumbing contractor and a pipe lining company. In conversation with them, I would ask either one their opinions about repiping and lining the pipe. If they are straight forward hopefully they will give an unbiased opinion, and maybe give you the name of a company that can help if not there own.

Pipe lining is a specialty and is worthy of looking into. Especially in your situation. Re-piping is also doable as mentioned above under the right circumstances. If it were me I would follow my own advice.

PC7060

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1840344#Comment_1840344

pipe bursting with PE lines seems like good option.

Jamie Hall

I have to wonder what caused the iron to become that brittle in only 90 years. Something rather unusual in the soil or backfill used, or being run through it…

Mad Dog_2

The Company I refer out for relining are masters at it. You want a sewer & drain company that has alot of experience. It works wonders and buy you alot of time and expense of excavation & street opening permits. Mad Dog