Leaking Cast Iron Soil Pipe

[Chemical Cat]

Hi all.

I'm looking for advice on a leaking soil pipe. I believe it's cast iron. Pre and post repair, the pipe leaks at the base when flushing the toilet. I can see from the adjoining properties that the soil pipe is short and they don't fully connect. This pipe seems have more of a broken bracket round it.

My main concern at the moment is the health implications if it has been leaking for years. Does anyone know if I should be worried about the surrounding soil and walls? It's at the front of the property, so people do walk and drive near these areas. And what would a proper repair to a leak like this be?

Thank you for reading.


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Moderator's note

Is that OK?
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[DAZB]

The joint was typically mortared at that level and the repair you have done will be just fine but just make sure you fill it all around and smooth it off so it looks neater and you can always paint it to match the pipe later if you like. It will not have expelled sewage as such as you would have noticed it and would probably just have been the odour that leaked.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Common issue with older properties using cast iron soil pipes and salt glazed drainage, there's no flexibility in the pipework, so slight ground movements over the years causes the joint between the soil pipe and drain to break, as has happened here.

What you've done should be sufficient, the water isn't under any pressure so should naturally find its way into the drain, if you want to go silly, then replacing a section of the drain and a flexible joint onto the cast would be the way to go.

 

[Chemical Cat]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, @DAZB and @Hugh Jaleak.

I've taken another photo this morning. There's still bits of toilet paper appearing after flushing.

This is on the North side of the property that never sees sunlight, so I'm trying to understand a potential damp problem along the bottom of the whole north facing wall.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I've taken another photo this morning. There's still bits of toilet paper appearing after flushing.

Which suggests it is still leaking. If it were me, I would clear all of the stones and etc. from that area, to find out into what it discharges, and how big the gap is. I would clean off all of that mortar you have added, and start afresh. Find a short piece of plastic pipe, slightly larger diameter than the cast, split it longitudinally, so it can be clipped over the cast pipe, maybe fasten it with galvanised binding wire, so it's tight on the pipe, and goes into the drain fully. Finally, add mortar to cover the entire area. Leave it unused, for 24 hours, to set up.

 

[Chemical Cat]

Which suggests it is still leaking. If it were me, I would clear all of the stones and etc. from that area, to find out into what it discharges, and how big the gap is. I would clean off all of that mortar you have added, and start afresh. Find a short piece of plastic pipe, slightly larger diameter than the cast, split it longitudinally, so it can be clipped over the cast pipe, maybe fasten it with galvanised binding wire, so it's tight on the pipe, and goes into the drain fully. Finally, add mortar to cover the entire area. Leave it unused, for 24 hours, to set up.

Thank you, @Harry Bloomfield.

This is a landlord repair that I'm concerned about. Sorry for not being clear about that. I appreciate your reply.

I'm focusing on the health implications of the leak and possible damp on the property because I have a terminal illness. I just want to make sure my surroundings aren't causing me and my family additional problems.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Damp issue could indicate the underground drain is leaking too. Given the age of the pipework, both above and below ground, I'd suspect it's seen better days. Some further investigation may be prudent, I've replaced sections of old drain before now and the whole lot has just fallen apart, it was only the surrounding soil holding it together.

 

[Chemical Cat]

Damp issue could indicate the underground drain is leaking too. Given the age of the pipework, both above and below ground, I'd suspect it's seen better days. Some further investigation may be prudent, I've replaced sections of old drain before now and the whole lot has just fallen apart, it was only the surrounding soil holding it together.

Thank you.

I've attached some more pictures. Does this look like a damp issue to you? The pictures are all from along the same exterior wall.

 

[JohnD]

Looking at your pic and description, I see no reason to doubt that the drain is broken, and the break has been concealed (but not repaired) with that mortar poultice. As it is a soil pipe it is a danger to health as well as causing damp.

If you were to get a garden trowel and scrape away at the gravel and the ground, you would probably see more evidence of the break.

It is entirely normal to find the glazed clay drains in the ground broken in old houses.

And very common to find multiple ineffective attempts to repair the break with mortar poultices.

Gravel near a drain is often thrown down to conceal the water escaping from a break and help it soak into to ground.

Are you the landlord or the tenant?

 

[JohnD]

Which suggests it is still leaking. If it were me, I would clear all of the stones and etc. from that area, to find out into what it discharges, and how big the gap is. I would clean off all of that mortar you have added, and start afresh. Find a short piece of plastic pipe, slightly larger diameter than the cast, split it longitudinally, so it can be clipped over the cast pipe, maybe fasten it with galvanised binding wire, so it's tight on the pipe, and goes into the drain fully. Finally, add mortar to cover the entire area. Leave it unused, for 24 hours, to set up.

Sorry, but I am revolted at the suggestion of another ineffective bodge to avoid a proper repair.

 

[Chemical Cat]

Looking at your pic and description, I see no reason to doubt that the drain is broken, and the break has been concealed (but not repaired) with that mortar poultice. As it is a soil pipe it is a danger to health as well as causing damp.

If you were to get a garden trowel and scrape away at the gravel and the ground, you would probably see more evidence of the break.

It is entirely normal to find the glazed clay drains in the ground broken in old houses.

And very common to find multiple ineffective attempts to repair the break with mortar poultices.

Gravel near a drain is often thrown down to conceal the water escaping from a break and help it soak into to ground.

Are you the landlord or the tenant?

I'm the tenant. I want the property safe and comfortable, but my immediate concern is health risk.

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it.

 

[JohnD]

Notify the owner or agent or both IN WRITING.

They like to say "nobody told me"

 

[Chemical Cat]

Notify the owner or agent or both IN WRITING.

They like to say "nobody told me"

Good advice. I have written to the owner. I'm not sure what to do next other than to push for repair. I'm doubting myself because there's denial of any damp issues.

 

[JohnD]

And what would a proper repair to a leak like this be?

to dig it out, remove all the broken parts, and renew in plastic.

Probably replace the above-ground parts as well.

Apart from the fortitude to wield a spade and stand in a pit of rotting old sewage, it is quite simple work. I have done a few as a homeowner, I'm sure Hugh has seen many more.

 

[JohnD]

Good advice. I have written to the owner. I'm not sure what to do next other than to push for repair. I'm doubting myself because there's denial of any damp issues.

Perhaps the department of Environmental Health at your local council could advise.

As for "denial of damp issues," the broken drain and wet wall are plain to see in the photos.