Repair 60mm iron waste pipe; epoxy/cement or repair clamp

[steven239]

Hi all, me again

I have a couple of small corrosion holes in an old 60mm iron(?) waste pipe in my bathroom.

Anyone have experience of fixing holes like this with an epoxy or alternatively any thoughts/experience of using a clamp such as this one:

http://www.vikingjohnson.com/product/handirange/handiclamp

Many thanks

 

[45yearsagasman]

Yes, I suppose you could use that, but the pipe may well be corroded in other places and it may be time to replace with plastic.

 

[steven239]

Thanks Pete,

Yes I totally agree, but the complexity (the flat above runs into my waste before running into the soil stack) and age of the waste arrangement makes me think that I will unearth a whole world of pain if I try. According to my lease the waste pipes are actually the responsibility of the landlord (in this case Southwark Council) but my experience with them and their plumbing contractors is that I'm better off doing it myself. The bit that has corroded is just before the soil stack and is the only point where it dips below the concrete line of the floor. I think the contact with the concrete may be why it has corroded at this point. Luckily the leak, which I think has been there for sometime has rotted all the concrete around it so it comes away easily to get good access. So you reckon go all out and use the clamp rather than epoxy, which I presume is more of a temporary fix?

 

[45yearsagasman]

Before undertaking any repairs, I would assess your liability should you cause damage to Southwark Councils property. Epoxy would do the job if you have access to apply it, but I would always rather use a mechanical joint.

 

[Agile]

I would prefer epoxy but only if I had adequate access to grind away the c.i. around the leak to obtain a clean surface to glue to.

Probably also glue a 2p coin or other piece of metal over the hole!

Tony

 

[steven239]

Thanks. I've picked up some milliput from the plumbers merchant but also got talking to a guy in the car park who said he once used a band material that you dip in water and then wrap around the pipe, it then sets a bit like when you break your arm an have a plaster cast. He couldn't remember what it was called and the plumbers merchant wasn't sure what it was. Anyone know what he's talking about? I like the idea of wrapping something all around, my gut tells me this would probably do a better job than the milliput. Thoughts?

Ps. Turns out the pipe is copper as I've now cleaned it up.

 

[Agile]

If it was copper then I would solder a patch on it!