An old house is a reminder of old memories that are etched in the minds and leave a melancholy feeling behind with every reminiscing. Buying an old property can bring many good old days. However, there might be some baggage that comes along too with the package.
Though many old homes have good bones, even better than some newly built ones, the one weight that keeps pulling down the property is the ancient and rusted cast iron pipes. So, how does one take care of cast iron plumbing repair, or should they at all?
The question raises many eyebrows but before jumping to any conclusion, read on to be fully aware of making a sound decision.
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Signs that cause the alarm?
While calling a Joondalup plumber service is important, it is equally as important to understand if your pipes are in a condition to be serviced or replaced. The answer to the question is linked to how old the lines are. The age of the property gives a fair idea of the age of pipes. Most older pipes of age around 30-40 years have cast-iron pipes. Lines made of cast iron are not indestructible, though. Rust can build upon them, causing water drainage to be slowed.
While rusty iron pipe sewer leaks can be a nuisance, structural damage is also possible. There might be cracked walls and floors and foundation cracking due to rusting and eventually leakage problems. If one notices such issues, it is essential to call for a plumbing service and get the pipes inspected before any significant damage is caused.
Consider pipe repair or replacement if any of the following problems are detected.
- Leaks of discolored water
- Drainage is a problem.
- Plumbing backups are common.
- Mold in the home is a severe problem.
- The odor of sewage is prevalent.
The presence of a lush, green lawn is another symptom of a leaking pipe. Even while sewage isn’t healthy for people’s health, it’s an excellent lawn fertilizer source. An area that appears greener than the rest could be due to a cracked pipe.
What to choose: Repair or Replacement?
As the deterioration progresses over time, existing homes with this piping system are at risk of leakage. Sulfuric acid is created when hydrogen molecule concentrations rise, causing corrosion. It is impossible to determine when this might take place.
Except in an emergency, cast iron pipe repair is not always the answer. The foundation is at risk if the clay soil beneath the concrete slab expands over time due to moisture accumulation. Putting a patch on it cannot prevent the damage to the structure from occurring. So, don’t wait for cast iron plumbing repair to solve the problem; instead, opt for a replacement.
Tests and inspections of cast iron pipes can also be done through a video camera. If homeowners discover a leak most of the time, it must have been there for a long time. However, the only sure shot way to know is to get an inspection.
The plumbers must also be able to establish whether or not the system is viable. Due to their compatibility with earlier cast iron piping, PVC pipes can be utilized for temporary repairs. Unfortunately, producers of cast iron pipe and fittings are hard to come by, and altering portions of piping based on a predetermined course of action isn’t recommended. It’s possible that certain damaged sections won’t require extensive rerouting or digging new trenches, depending on the inspection results.
Methods to do the cast iron repair
When exposed to wastewater, cast iron pipes corrode and weaken over time. The rust can also build up inside the tube, preventing water from moving through and generating a host of issues for homeowners.
Luckily, the good news is that plumbing services have various ways to repair highly rusted cast iron pipes and get them working as well as new again. After a blockage, it is vital to get the sewage flowing again as soon as possible. Toilet bowl or bathroom floor flooding is a result of blocked sewage water flow. This can lead to various health problems, which is why draining is a first step in the treatment. It can eliminate some signs as a temporary fix, but it is not a long-term remedy. It does nothing more than re-start the sewage system for convenience. A video camera should be used after draining to see what’s going on inside the pipes.
For a more permanent remedy, homeowners can use any of the solutions listed below once they have discovered the reason for the blockage.
Hydro-jetting
There’s no denying that water is a tremendous force. Water can even cut its course through rocks. Hydraulic jetting is a technique that utilizes the power of water to clean and remove dirt from pipes. As a result of the high-pressure water jets used, sewer cast iron pipes lines can be cleaned of roots, rust, oil, sludge, and fatbergs.
To fix the problem, if the sewer pipe itself has been damaged, such as by leaking or having holes, you will require either pipe bursting or pipeline coating.
Replacement
Firstly, drain the water from the sewer pipe using a Roto-Rooter or Hydro-Jet to empty the line. To detect the broken or misaligned pipe, blockage, or clog, the plumber inserts a waterproof fiber-optic camera into the obstructed pipe to locate it. A broken, deformed, or collapsed sewer pipe is quickly and efficiently repaired once the problem has been found.
Pipe-bursting
Pipe bursting is another excellent repair method. Trenchless sewage repair is replacing an old sewer pipe with a new one without having to dig it out first.
Consequently, the old pipe gets destroyed, and the new line is slowly but steadily installed. Everything wrong with the old one will be fixed because it’s a brand-new pipe in essence. Cast iron sewer pipe repair techniques are the most effective way for cast iron plumbing repair.
Conclusion
Cast iron piping should not be repaired on the fly. It’s inevitable that once a leak has been detected, the entire system will be compromised. Getting adequate evaluation followed by the solution resolves the problem at its root.
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