Excavate around cast iron downpipe

[NikkiC]

I need to have a section of patio paving stones relaid at the correct depth. About 1.5 sqr metres. They are about 30mm too high and too close to the damp proof course. This requires breaking up some of the foundation. There's a cast iron downpipe going straight through that concrete foundation. How would one deal with the downpipe without interfering with it?

http://www.protorealm.co.uk/images/GutterDownpipe1.jpg
http://www.protorealm.co.uk/images/GutterDownpipe2.jpg

Thanks in advance.

 

[Alastairreid]

it would be easiest to disconect the downpipe from the top down.
once you have removed the pipes from above and loosened off the brackets break any concrete from around the base of the pipe, it should then work loose from the fireclay connection under ground..........watch you dont snap it.

 

[NikkiC]

Thanks for the reply.

It's not the downpipe that needs removing, it's just a bit of the concrete foundation around the downpipe. Can that be done without interfering with the downpipe?

 

[Alastairreid]

oooh sorry my mistake i thought you were removing the rwp.

it shouldnt be too difficult.........you will get down so far then meet the collar of the fire clay they are at different depths on different buildings, but that shouldnt affect you.

 

[NikkiC]

oooh sorry my mistake i thought you were removing the rwp.

My fault. I've reworded it now.

it shouldnt be too difficult.........you will get down so far then meet the collar of the fire clay they are at different depths on different buildings, but that shouldnt affect you.

So this means that breaking up enough foundation to get the paving slabs relaid just 30mm lower shouldn't really affect the downpipe? That would be great. I'll tell my workphobic builders to get on with it. What equipment should I expect to see them use to do this? The area is less than 2 sqr metres.

 

[Alastairreid]

jack hammers would be my weapon of choice

hammer and bolster chisel around your cast pipe

 

[NikkiC]

[Quickly googles "jack hammer"]

So that's what a jack hammer looks like. Thanks a million.