Leaking Cast Iron

[ajdsad]

Hi I'm new to the site and need some suggestions. I have a fifty year old home in south Texas and just noticed that the CI vent pipe (which the bathroom sink dumps into) is leaking at the 90 fitting that connects to the main drop. The weird thing is that the leak is at the top end where the vent pipe comes into the 90. So I'm thinking the pipe is some what clogged and holding water before its able to drain,although we haven't had any issues with the plumbing. Any suggestions to stop the leak until a replacement can be done?
Thank you

[wrench spinner]

we could use some pics you may be able to get away with just repacking the lead in the hub or it may need to be changed... who knows we could really use some pictures or maybe a better description

[toolaholic]

A word about OLD C.I. vents. THEY don't get water like drains [ little rain,now and then ].
They dry out and crumble,fracture, before the waste do. How does a carpenter know so much about plumbing ?????????

[wrench spinner]

How are we so sure that it is really a vent?? we are just assuming based upon the posters language hence the reason I asked for a photo Tool. It may or may not be a vent pipe, perhaps it is the stack from the second floor! It may not even neccessarily be CI, I am not knocking the poster but we really dont know how much he really does know!

[toolaholic]

I know,He did say vent . Generally,We get little info from homeowners. the dry stack May help someone else. In S.F. We have a lot of C.I. Last Cast I demoed the vents fell apart.
We've got younger guys that have never worked on cast.

[Service Guy]

Hi I'm new to the site and need some suggestions. I have a fifty year old home in south Texas and just noticed that the CI vent pipe (which the bathroom sink dumps into) is leaking at the 90 fitting that connects to the main drop. The weird thing is that the leak is at the top end where the vent pipe comes into the 90. So I'm thinking the pipe is some what clogged and holding water before its able to drain,although we haven't had any issues with the plumbing. Any suggestions to stop the leak until a replacement can be done?
Thank you

Just replace it. The last 4" cast-iron vent stack with a lavatory waste I arm that I worked on was in horrible condition. The lavatory waste had created a large mass of rust inside the pipe which completely clogged it up. I should have taken a picture after I cut it out, it was awful looking inside. Just hire a plumber to replace it ASAP, forget about temporary repairs.

[Masterplumb]

Just replace it. The last 4" cast-iron vent stack with a lavatory waste I arm that I worked on was in horrible condition. The lavatory waste had created a large mass of rust inside the pipe which completely clogged it up. I should have taken a picture after I cut it out, it was awful looking inside. Just hire a plumber to replace it ASAP, forget about temporary repairs.

Let me be a little picky here:D It probably was not a vent stack but a stack vent. There is a difference.

[Service Guy]

Let me be a little picky here:D It probably was not a vent stack but a stack vent. There is a difference.

I don't know the difference, I am just a dirty service guy.

[ajdsad]

I'm not a plumber but I'm pretty sure its CI and that its a vent pipe cause it goes up through the attic and VENTS into the air. Is there a wrap or some sort of puddy I can use as a temporary fix?

[toolaholic]

Just curious is there a bath above this one ? Single story?

[JCsPlumbing]

Call a recommended plumber and you'll have it fixed before you can even post pics! Good luck. :)

J.C.

[Service Guy]

Is there a wrap or some sort of puddy I can use as a temporary fix?

No, just fix it properly. We get mad when we get to a house to do a repair and there are 30 rolls of duck tape on the pipe and gobs of silicone and all that crap...you may even get charged extra for removing that junk!;)

[Bob D.]

I don't know the difference, I am just a dirty service guy.

A Vent Stack is for venting only. A Stack Vent is a vent only from the point where the highest branch connection is made. Below that point it is a waste stack or soil stack (these are unique components of a drainage system too).

Stack Vent: The extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack.

Stack Venting: A method of venting a fixture or fixtures through the soil or waste stack.

Vent Stack: A vertical vent pipe that extends through one or more stories and that is intended to provide circulation of air to and from the drainage system.

[ajdsad]

Single.

[ajdsad]

Is this something a DIYer could tackle? With adequate research and a measure of confidence of coarse.

[Service Guy]

Is this something a DIYer could tackle? With adequate research and a measure of confidence of coarse.

If you have to ask, then no. Repiping cast-iron in old houses is no beginner's picnic. It can be challenging even for experienced pro plumbers.

[JCsPlumbing]

If the hole is close to the transition then no. (Need a picture to tell) Most DIY'ers won't have the tools and would be better off letting a plumber handle it.

I can DIY too. But I don't work on my electricity. :o

J.C.

[ajdsad]

I dont want to repipe the CI. I want to replace it all with PVC.

[toolaholic]

Any chance It's a sani tee, duram fitting ,with a rusted out old galvanized vent on top
Is this a wall hung? Is the wall opened up? Back of a plywood vanity,where You have bad access ?

[ajdsad]

Thats just it I couldnt see any holes or cracks. It looks like the water is seeping up from the lead seal. So possibly the seal is bad?

[Service Guy]

I dont want to repipe the CI. I want to replace it all with PVC.

Oh, well that is super easy then, good luck! ;)


(just kidding, you'll still need to cut out the old cast-iron and repipe it to code, and if pvc is allowed in your area underneath cast-iron then you'll need special pipe supports, and pvc-cast-iron transition couplings.....do yourself a favor and hire a plumber for this one.)

[ajdsad]

The leak is underneath the house but the vent pipe runs through the wall.

[ajdsad]

The only reason I consider doing it myself is because I've tackled things the average homeowner would not. I've gutted the whole house (except the kitchen) rewired the whole house (and yes it was inspected and passed). Remodeled the bathroom. Plumbed the house with copper. Pulled up carpet and vinyl and dyed and refinished the hard wood floors. And I did it all by reading, doing research and asking the pros, like yourselves.

[Service Guy]

Duckbutter will help you when he logs on...

[ajdsad]

The only original plumbing is that vent pipe the kitchen drain which goes under ground and the main drop, and whats left is CI.

[ajdsad]

Isn't that for A/C duct work?

[Masterplumb]

I don't know the difference, I am just a dirty service guy.

Wow. I thought that was part of plumbing 101

[Service Guy]

Wow. I thought that was part of plumbing 101

I never took "plumbing 101." But thanks to this forum I now know the difference between a 'vent stack' and a 'stack vent.' Which I am sure will prove to be invaluable to my career.:rolleyes:

[Masterplumb]

I never took "plumbing 101." But thanks to this forum I now know the difference between a 'vent stack' and a 'stack vent.' Which I am sure will prove to be invaluable to my career.:rolleyes:

Well I guess it won't help you, but it is basic plumbing. I cant imagine taking a masters exam and not knowing the difference, not starting trouble but I guess you learn something new everyday.

[Service Guy]

Well I guess it won't help you, but it is basic plumbing. I cant imagine taking a masters exam and not knowing the difference, not starting trouble but I guess you learn something new everyday.

To quote another member...We all learn until that dirt nap we take:lol:

[JCsPlumbing]

Well I guess it won't help you, but it is basic plumbing. I cant imagine taking a masters exam and not knowing the difference, not starting trouble but I guess you learn something new everyday.

It WAS on the exam.

J.C.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Thats just it I couldnt see any holes or cracks. It looks like the water is seeping up from the lead seal. So possibly the seal is bad?

take a good look at the joint. a picture would really help out.

the vent should not leak unless it's below the level of the drain. or the drain is actually backed up to this level. or it's raining and dripping down the vent pipe?

but to answer your question, you can try packing/ caulking the lead with a caulking iron:confused: or a modified cold chisel.

basically you're not trying to cut the lead, but pack it. dull a 3/4'' wide cold chisel and use a small ball peen hammer to slowly tap the chisel into the soft lead. go around it a couple times and see if this helps.

it's the oakum that really seals the joint. the lead basically holds the pipe together.

try posting a photo and verify it's not plugged up.

rick.

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

I have done a lot of CI demo...no picnic.

[ajdsad]

If I were to do it, which I'm not sure I am, what would I use to cut the CI?

[Service Guy]

It WAS on the exam.

J.C.

Not on the test I took JC, that I remember anyway. Every test in NC is a slightly different set of questions, if it were always the same, it would be too easy to cheat on.

[PLUMBER RICK]

If I were to do it, which I'm not sure I am, what would I use to cut the CI?

i would use a 4.5'' grinder with a cut off wheel. some will use a diamond wheel which is also good. wear safety goggles and gloves.

36 post and 2 answers to your question:mad:

rick.

[drtyhands]

i would use a 4.5'' grinder with a cut off wheel. some will use a diamond wheel which is also good. wear safety goggles and gloves.

36 post and 2 answers to your question:mad:

rick.


Best Plumbing Forum.
Think anyone here knows what they're talking about.

No stone unturned...Might get burned.It's the sign of experience.

[NHMaster3015]

I do my best work in the dark, but even then I like a little bit of light just so's I can see the mess I'm getting into:D

[ajdsad]

i would use a 4.5'' grinder with a cut off wheel. some will use a diamond wheel which is also good. wear safety goggles and gloves.

36 post and 2 answers to your question:mad:

rick.
Thanks plumber rick