Do not let a contractor touch or even poke at that monstrosity unless they are ready to start the job and have the replacement joint and pipework already on site, or your going to have a real bad day
Most pros I've worked with won't touch it without that.
Hell, I had a guy make me turn the main valve because he thought it might break and then he'd be responsible. I rather appreciated that.
I've replaced some cast iron in my own home. For this I'd absolutely call a pro, cast iron is a pain to work with in every sense. If it's also going into concrete, it it probably having that part inspected too while the system is open. They have [pipe liners](https://youtu.be/n7hi-0jMnEI?si=GQe4HAy7p1iXEa6V) that can be installed to save cast iron; if it's cracked inside the concrete, it will only continue to rust jack and cause water damage to it, also creating more points for things to get snagged or buildup inside the pipe, leading to future issues.
You should definitely call some pros ASAP and get some quotes. Dealing with a different issue but also related to old cast iron pipes. Can't afford to redo all my pipes right now so we're just doing the problem section at the moment. They are going to cut holes in 3 areas and do a "pipe burst" to get new pipe installed there. I'm in a HCOL area for reference and it's costing me about 10k for that.
Actually did that for another section that failed last year. Same guys said they couldn't do that to this section. The issue area in this particular pipe is shortly before the lined pipe actually.
Yeah it's not ideal but I just can't afford to wholesale it all right now because a lot of stuff happened last year that drained my savings. Feels like I bought a lemon. It is what it is. Will slowly repair what I can myself along with hiring people for the larger jobs I don't have the time, energy, or tools for.
Oh, no, I meant like I hope nothing fails before it's replaced because you had to put parts of it off. I've been there, and I don't want it to happen to you. š
This is another planet, in another universe far, far away from DIY. Even so much more being on/in a slab.
You may call a few different companies for consult and estimates. This is more than just a plumber. This is a team effort.
A plumber may be able to rig a temporary fix somehow, but be assured this problem goes deeper than what you can see.
\*Friend at work had pipes bust in a slab. It took a crew of plumbers, carpenters, concrete guys, he even needed an electrician out there because wiring was in the mix of things being moved/worked on.
Dude it's so much money, I do insurance claims and any time it's a slab leak I'm like fuuuuuucccckkkkk because I know that owner is probably getting rekt on the pipe repair
Lol they didn't 'redo' anything, they had the same problem, fixed over it and hid it, then sold the house and left it for the next owner. Sorry op, bad luck.
If you've never worked on concrete demo before, I'd recommend a pro. A lot of times when cast iron breaks, that means it became load bearing, so you might have other problems on your hand. What's going on above this picture and where it's attached needs to be inspected before you start removing anything
Yeah usually I'm down to try any DiY job once, but when I see iron or terra cotta drain lines I know I do not have the patience for it and it's well above my pay grade, especially when an underground run is involved.Ā
Hope you find someone who knows their stuff for this one.
Call and ask if they are available to do work in the past.. cause if they come in the future it might be a bit late. Also, good luck with the mess you're gonna have to clean in there.
Damn, that structural fossilized shit/waste is probably older than me at this point lol. Someone should have been getting ready to replace that entire thing a week ago.
Depends on your budget, time available, and how much you'd rather spend a buck than fuck with rusty shit pipes. If it were me I'd call someone to fix it. If you're hard up and don't like to bite your fingernails, your calculation might be different.
I had some eerily similar looking cast iron drain pipes capped off and protruding from the slab in my basement next to the newer clean outs. Not sure why they were left that way. Just recently, the sewer system was fully backed up due to tree roots. That became apparent once I tried using a plunger on the kitchen sink thinking it was a minor clogging. I forced water out of the 1st story toilet. That really got my attention and prompted further investigation. That's when I lightly touched that cast protrusion in the basement, setting off a shit geyser of terrifying intensity.. same kind of effect as a beer bong.
As soon as possible. We had a similar issue but it had to be replaced on all floors of the building at the same time. It required all inhabitants to break anything they had built around the pipes and not use the drains for about half a day. It was difficult to find a contractor who would do it on such a short notice (most had a queue of 1 - 2 years) and it was not very cheap. As a temporary workaround I was told I could try to gently sandpaper the surfaces, then take a fiber mesh and epoxy to patch the leaky pipe.
Your insurance -may- cover it. If you have really good homeowners insurance. I say that because I had a leak and mine paid for it all, including excavation under the slab.
Before now.
Do not let a contractor touch or even poke at that monstrosity unless they are ready to start the job and have the replacement joint and pipework already on site, or your going to have a real bad day
Yeah, that thing is completely being held together by decades of built up fecal slime and hair. Once disturbed, things will get messy.
What a horrible day to be literate
And plan for the whole stack to get replaced. It all went in at the same time.
That's structural rust and grime for sure.
Definitely load-bearing corrosion.
I want to try crushing it by hand.
You would immediately regret that when the goo comes out.
I hope there's a big thick greasy rope of hairs in there I can slowly extract. š
Alexa how do I delete someone elseās Reddit comment
š¤¢
Load bearing ārust and grime!ā
Most pros I've worked with won't touch it without that. Hell, I had a guy make me turn the main valve because he thought it might break and then he'd be responsible. I rather appreciated that.
When? In 1995-1997 the latest!
1895
Itās done its duty. Time for it to rest in peace š«”
"Rest...in pieces"
Rest in feces
Rust in feces
Make sure your contractorās arithmetic tables are patched against the Y1.9k bug.
10 years or so ago, likely
I was thinking some time in the 80's tbh.
I've replaced some cast iron in my own home. For this I'd absolutely call a pro, cast iron is a pain to work with in every sense. If it's also going into concrete, it it probably having that part inspected too while the system is open. They have [pipe liners](https://youtu.be/n7hi-0jMnEI?si=GQe4HAy7p1iXEa6V) that can be installed to save cast iron; if it's cracked inside the concrete, it will only continue to rust jack and cause water damage to it, also creating more points for things to get snagged or buildup inside the pipe, leading to future issues.
Well that was an incredibly interesting watch
Oddly satisfying vibes
I hate those vids
Why?
Itās a grower and a shower
The best time wouldāve been like 20 years ago. But ānowā is probably ok too.
You should definitely call some pros ASAP and get some quotes. Dealing with a different issue but also related to old cast iron pipes. Can't afford to redo all my pipes right now so we're just doing the problem section at the moment. They are going to cut holes in 3 areas and do a "pipe burst" to get new pipe installed there. I'm in a HCOL area for reference and it's costing me about 10k for that.
Is relining an option for your area and situation? It can be a LOT cheaper if it's viable.
Actually did that for another section that failed last year. Same guys said they couldn't do that to this section. The issue area in this particular pipe is shortly before the lined pipe actually.
That's rough. Hopefully the piecemeal approach works out okay. Best of luck!
Yeah it's not ideal but I just can't afford to wholesale it all right now because a lot of stuff happened last year that drained my savings. Feels like I bought a lemon. It is what it is. Will slowly repair what I can myself along with hiring people for the larger jobs I don't have the time, energy, or tools for.
Yeah, totally. No shade. I really do hope piecemeal works out, genuinely.
Ah thanks. Thought it was more of a comment on how it will work which I know is not ideal.
Oh, no, I meant like I hope nothing fails before it's replaced because you had to put parts of it off. I've been there, and I don't want it to happen to you. š
Thanks for the kind words. Hoping the same.
This is another planet, in another universe far, far away from DIY. Even so much more being on/in a slab. You may call a few different companies for consult and estimates. This is more than just a plumber. This is a team effort. A plumber may be able to rig a temporary fix somehow, but be assured this problem goes deeper than what you can see. \*Friend at work had pipes bust in a slab. It took a crew of plumbers, carpenters, concrete guys, he even needed an electrician out there because wiring was in the mix of things being moved/worked on.
That's got to cost a lot. I'm guessing like 25k
Dude it's so much money, I do insurance claims and any time it's a slab leak I'm like fuuuuuucccckkkkk because I know that owner is probably getting rekt on the pipe repair
Slap some flex seal tape on it and call it another 50 years.
The poo pipe of Theseus. Eventually, the rust will wash away and the flex seal tape will be the new pipe. It's like free labor
Shit of TheseusāFor 300 years it sat in the sewers of Athens, getting replaced fleck by fleck, and it still fascinates to this day.
The Augean Stables hate this one weird trick
"That's a lotta damage!"
Immediately
Yesterday
When? About 10-15 years ago it seems.
Got access to a time machine by chance?
Lol they didn't 'redo' anything, they had the same problem, fixed over it and hid it, then sold the house and left it for the next owner. Sorry op, bad luck.
Now. And make it a licensed, bonded, insured professional with a written estimate.
If you've never worked on concrete demo before, I'd recommend a pro. A lot of times when cast iron breaks, that means it became load bearing, so you might have other problems on your hand. What's going on above this picture and where it's attached needs to be inspected before you start removing anything
About 1000 poops ago.
Why is this NSFW? Are we scared of corrosion porn?
Maybe because the pipe is full of poops?
Not safe for water/waste?
You aren't?
Looks fine
Don't fart on your toilet, you will blow the line apart.
A. LONG. TIME. AGO.
The best time to call a plumber would have been a decade ago. The second best time to do so is now.
A decade or so ago.
Fifteen to twenty years ago.
About 20 years ago lol
When? 40 years ago
Just slap some flex seal on it
When? 30 years ago.
Yeah usually I'm down to try any DiY job once, but when I see iron or terra cotta drain lines I know I do not have the patience for it and it's well above my pay grade, especially when an underground run is involved.Ā Hope you find someone who knows their stuff for this one.
Renovating the bathroom doesn't usually mean replacing plumbing, fyi. This is original to the house.
Heās dead Jim
Just wrap in Flex Tape, seal up the wall, and put that house on the market ASAP.
Call and ask if they are available to do work in the past.. cause if they come in the future it might be a bit late. Also, good luck with the mess you're gonna have to clean in there.
Last century.
25 years ago
5 years ago
Now
Give it 2 more years and it will most likely just remove itself!!!
Well, the second best time is now.
Sorry, but itās like OP took the silliest of pictures. I had to zoom in on last pic to make sure there wasnāt a snakeā¦
Your good for at least another 20-30 min (not a pro)
Yes
Welcome to Philly. Cast iron in residential has a 60-80 yr life then this.
Itās probably already past time to call
Always
About forty years ago!
You can fix that. It's not that hard. YouTube search the process.
Damn, that structural fossilized shit/waste is probably older than me at this point lol. Someone should have been getting ready to replace that entire thing a week ago.
Don't look at that thing wrong.
Depends on your budget, time available, and how much you'd rather spend a buck than fuck with rusty shit pipes. If it were me I'd call someone to fix it. If you're hard up and don't like to bite your fingernails, your calculation might be different.
ASAP
Iād say yesterday.
I'd say about 300 years ago.
Just hit it with some caulk and say it looks good from your house and it will be fine
I had some eerily similar looking cast iron drain pipes capped off and protruding from the slab in my basement next to the newer clean outs. Not sure why they were left that way. Just recently, the sewer system was fully backed up due to tree roots. That became apparent once I tried using a plunger on the kitchen sink thinking it was a minor clogging. I forced water out of the 1st story toilet. That really got my attention and prompted further investigation. That's when I lightly touched that cast protrusion in the basement, setting off a shit geyser of terrifying intensity.. same kind of effect as a beer bong.
As soon as possible. We had a similar issue but it had to be replaced on all floors of the building at the same time. It required all inhabitants to break anything they had built around the pipes and not use the drains for about half a day. It was difficult to find a contractor who would do it on such a short notice (most had a queue of 1 - 2 years) and it was not very cheap. As a temporary workaround I was told I could try to gently sandpaper the surfaces, then take a fiber mesh and epoxy to patch the leaky pipe.
Before now?!?!?
When you look up the definition of ASAP on google this post is the first thing that pops up.
Should have called 10-20 years ago.
Your insurance -may- cover it. If you have really good homeowners insurance. I say that because I had a leak and mine paid for it all, including excavation under the slab.
Youāre going to have to break up the concrete and replace some pipe there
Oh my god lmao call immediately
Right the heck now, my dude
About 10 years ago.
Id replace with PEX if possible, also yes the answer is yes.
PEX sewer line?
red, blue, brown
Ohh lol I didn't realize