Cast iron stack - leaking at the bottom

[Ivor Windybottom]

I see now, downstream is up on your photos. So it won't meet your new chamber after all. Hopefully there's something similar through the wall then (inside a garage?).

Looks a little unconventional!

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

 

[noseall]

I'd be inclined to keep it, if it's in otherwise good condition, if certainly looks so. But then I'm not a fan of plastic on buildings.

I agree to an extent, i.e. the C.I. will be robust, especially when taking any knocks at ground level. It's a double edged sword though as any future works can be a pain with the C.I. I replaced mine (as well as modernised all the drains) and it was the best decision we made, as there have been numerous additions to the new stack.

 

[Nige F]

Whatever does "ease of use thereafter" mean?

ease of maintenance - typo.

 

[noseall]

ease of maintenance - typo.

It just means connecting to them in the future is much easier. I've seen instances where a section has been cut out of the C.I. and a piece of plastic grafted in with a pair of ugly Ferncos, so that connections can be made. Not the best look.

 

[VDubDan]

Thanks all, sorry for not replying sooner - you all gave me much food for thought.

In the end, as we've modernised (or are in the process of doing so) the rest of the house, I decided now is probably the moment to just replace it all.

I was very nervy about removing it, but I've done the top half (above the branch) today and it was fine and I didn't kill myself (It may have taken me a few minutes to pluck up the bottle - I bloody hate heights). It's very crusty inside, and quite brittle and the bracket I removed was nowhere near affixed as solidly as I would have liked. So, all in all, committed to that decision.

Appreciate all the other thoughts, too, and may well look re-route some of those other 40mm wastes too, or at least leave myself the option in future

 

[George_engineer]

Just FYI this is a fairly good article, although I think there is a risk the fixings to the wall have perished so cutting the bottom out might not always be the best idea. I'd start at the top!

How to remove and replace old cast iron soil pipes

Replacing old cast iron soil pipes can be a daunting prospect; EasyMerchant have put together some tips to help.

www.fmb.org.uk

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I just checked, it's worth all of 16p per kg if you take it to your local scrap metal dealer.

So probably as well to take it to the council tip, let them have the vast fortune from recycling it.

 

[VDubDan]

I just checked, it's worth all of 16p per kg if you take it to your local scrap metal dealer.

So probably as well to take it to the council tip, let them have the vast fortune from recycling it.

Hah, I was actually wondering that very thing - I'll chuck it out the front and it'll probably be gone by the morning

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Good idea, it all gets recycled whatever happens, plus you won't have a poo pipe in your car. A "Scrap, please take" sign might help.

I've just removed two chimneys from my place, I'm going to be rich this afternoon from my stash of lead flashing.

 

[Deluks]

Where are you, I could use a cast branch.

 

[phatboy]

Ours was nice and solid when we went to remove it.... only because of the connection into the ground it turned out.

The wall brackets were fixed to wooden plugs, pre-dating Rawl type ones, and they were rotten.

We cut through the stack at the bottom, a very gentle pull and the whole 3.5m of the thing broke free! Luckily we both spotted it and grabbed it before it either hit us or the nearby car and boundary wall.

 

[VDubDan]

Right, I went for it and the worst is over! Didn't quite get it done, but it's in and functional and we can use the loo! Need to haunch and pea gravel still, and back fill etc. Stressful as hell, what with having to decommission the toilet, and holy heck did the garage make things hard work.

Had to stick a Fernco onto the existing soil pipe from the toilet for the time being, because it's a built in unit. At some point I'll bite that bullet!

Could do with some honest opinions, though - the fall on the little connection between the rest bend and the Y piece is a bit more than I expected. I'm sure I checked it and it was a nice turn of the bubble at one point, but it's actually worked out quite steep - it's gone dark now, so I can't check the exact, which I'll do tomorrow.

As nothing is haunched in it wouldn't be the end of the world to change it but also, I'd rather not. Pics below:

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Nice work. My only suggestion, (if you haven't done already), is a Rodding access at the bottom of the stack just above finished floor level.

Wastes could also be routed across to the stack if desired.

 

[VDubDan]

Thanks @Hugh Jaleak - it's hard to see on the darker photo, but there is indeed rodding access just above the floor.

Debated the kitchen waste, but as the gully is there I think I'm just going to leave it be and keep the soil pipe purely for the loo.

Do you think the steepish fall after the restbend is anything to worry about, or would you just run with it? I figure things are moving pretty fast anyway at that point