Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up at
the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is rusted, no
question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really don't want
to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.

On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:46:48 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:

Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up at
the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is rusted, no
question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really don't want
to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.

Cast iron will rust but then the rust on cast iron forms a sort of
protective coating, preventing total rust through.

However, what really happens with cast iron piping is that stuff
adhers to the internal rust layer, especially chemical deposits. The
pipes will slowly close up to the point of clogging.
Regularly snaking out drain pipes will reduce this effect.
I've used power snakes with cutting blades. Even they sometimes have a
hard time cutting through the hardened crud. Let the pipe almost close
down and it can be impossible to snake out.

Doug

"Doug" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:46:48 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:

Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up
at
the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is rusted,
no
question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really don't want
to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.

Cast iron will rust but then the rust on cast iron forms a sort of
protective coating, preventing total rust through.

However, what really happens with cast iron piping is that stuff
adhers to the internal rust layer, especially chemical deposits. The
pipes will slowly close up to the point of clogging.
Regularly snaking out drain pipes will reduce this effect.
I've used power snakes with cutting blades. Even they sometimes have a
hard time cutting through the hardened crud. Let the pipe almost close
down and it can be impossible to snake out.

Doug

Doesn't sound like it reacts like galvanized then. whereas in galvanized if
you have rust, that means the walls of the pipe are seriously thin and at
the point of failure - reaming them out won't help, it will only hasten the
failure. So it sounds like it should be okay. Then replacing the
galvanized drain pipes with plastic and leave the cast iron sewer line
alone.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up
at the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is
rusted, no question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really
don't want to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.


The life of cast iron pipe has been studied for I'm sure over 100 years. It
varies a lot and can be extremely long in some cases, mostly depending on
the soil and other enviornment. My advice is not to disturb it at all unless
there is some reason. Failure of drain systems is rarely catastrophic and if
it starts to leak or clog, or if you are doing some other related work, then
evaluate it and decide what to do.

Don Young

Eigenvector wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:46:48 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:

Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up
at
the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is rusted,
no
question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really don't want
to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.
Cast iron will rust but then the rust on cast iron forms a sort of
protective coating, preventing total rust through.

However, what really happens with cast iron piping is that stuff
adhers to the internal rust layer, especially chemical deposits. The
pipes will slowly close up to the point of clogging.
Regularly snaking out drain pipes will reduce this effect.
I've used power snakes with cutting blades. Even they sometimes have a
hard time cutting through the hardened crud. Let the pipe almost close
down and it can be impossible to snake out.

Doug

Doesn't sound like it reacts like galvanized then. whereas in galvanized if
you have rust, that means the walls of the pipe are seriously thin and at
the point of failure - reaming them out won't help, it will only hasten the
failure. So it sounds like it should be okay. Then replacing the
galvanized drain pipes with plastic and leave the cast iron sewer line
alone.

Cast doesn't act quite like malleable iron, no, because it has more carbon.

But, the prime reason is the difference in wall thickness--there simply
is a lot more material in cast iron than in Sch 40 pipe. For a 4", cast
30-lb test (the lightest common), wall thickness is 0.35" while for Sch
40 it 0.237" -- nearly 50% thicker. Consequently, it has a longer life
in general. Also, owing to being used almost exclusively for waste in
residential usage, it is non-pressurized whereas water service piping is
under pressure, accelerating any leak.

There's a current other thread of a poster who has leaking cast mains,
so it does happen.

But, I agree w/ the other poster of "if it ain't broke, it don't need
fixin'" unless you've already got it torn up and just go ahead or are
doing extensive work that will be in the way if there's need for repair
in the future.

--

On Jul 26, 10:06?pm, dpb wrote:
Eigenvector wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:46:48 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:

Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up
at
the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is rusted,
no
question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really don't want
to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.
Cast iron will rust but then the rust on cast iron forms a sort of
protective coating, preventing total rust through.

However, what really happens with cast iron piping is that stuff
adhers to the internal rust layer, especially chemical deposits. The
pipes will slowly close up to the point of clogging.
Regularly snaking out drain pipes will reduce this effect.
I've used power snakes with cutting blades. Even they sometimes have a
hard time cutting through the hardened crud. Let the pipe almost close
down and it can be impossible to snake out.

Doug

Doesn't sound like it reacts like galvanized then. whereas in galvanized if
you have rust, that means the walls of the pipe are seriously thin and at
the point of failure - reaming them out won't help, it will only hasten the
failure. So it sounds like it should be okay. Then replacing the
galvanized drain pipes with plastic and leave the cast iron sewer line
alone.

Cast doesn't act quite like malleable iron, no, because it has more carbon.

But, the prime reason is the difference in wall thickness--there simply
is a lot more material in cast iron than in Sch 40 pipe. For a 4", cast
30-lb test (the lightest common), wall thickness is 0.35" while for Sch
40 it 0.237" -- nearly 50% thicker. Consequently, it has a longer life
in general. Also, owing to being used almost exclusively for waste in
residential usage, it is non-pressurized whereas water service piping is
under pressure, accelerating any leak.

There's a current other thread of a poster who has leaking cast mains,
so it does happen.

But, I agree w/ the other poster of "if it ain't broke, it don't need
fixin'" unless you've already got it torn up and just go ahead or are
doing extensive work that will be in the way if there's need for repair
in the future.

--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

sorry my main soil stack is 57 years old, and rusted thru leaking.

if your into it anyway replace with schedule 40 plastic. except
indoors in living areas, cast iron is quiet, with plastic you hear
every drop.

cast iron just fails slower

coming soon to this home, replace the main soil stack

On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:11:38 -0000, "
wrote:

On Jul 26, 10:06?pm, dpb wrote:
Eigenvector wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:46:48 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:

Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up
at
the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is rusted,
no
question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really don't want
to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.
Cast iron will rust but then the rust on cast iron forms a sort of
protective coating, preventing total rust through.

However, what really happens with cast iron piping is that stuff
adhers to the internal rust layer, especially chemical deposits. The
pipes will slowly close up to the point of clogging.
Regularly snaking out drain pipes will reduce this effect.
I've used power snakes with cutting blades. Even they sometimes have a
hard time cutting through the hardened crud. Let the pipe almost close
down and it can be impossible to snake out.

Doug

Doesn't sound like it reacts like galvanized then. whereas in galvanized if
you have rust, that means the walls of the pipe are seriously thin and at
the point of failure - reaming them out won't help, it will only hasten the
failure. So it sounds like it should be okay. Then replacing the
galvanized drain pipes with plastic and leave the cast iron sewer line
alone.

Cast doesn't act quite like malleable iron, no, because it has more carbon.

But, the prime reason is the difference in wall thickness--there simply
is a lot more material in cast iron than in Sch 40 pipe. For a 4", cast
30-lb test (the lightest common), wall thickness is 0.35" while for Sch
40 it 0.237" -- nearly 50% thicker. Consequently, it has a longer life
in general. Also, owing to being used almost exclusively for waste in
residential usage, it is non-pressurized whereas water service piping is
under pressure, accelerating any leak.

There's a current other thread of a poster who has leaking cast mains,
so it does happen.

But, I agree w/ the other poster of "if it ain't broke, it don't need
fixin'" unless you've already got it torn up and just go ahead or are
doing extensive work that will be in the way if there's need for repair
in the future.

--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

sorry my main soil stack is 57 years old, and rusted thru leaking.

if your into it anyway replace with schedule 40 plastic. except
indoors in living areas, cast iron is quiet, with plastic you hear
every drop.

cast iron just fails slower

coming soon to this home, replace the main soil stack

A life of only 57 years is rather unusual for cast iron.
Does your water have a high acidity level?

I've got several houses with cast iron waste stacks. They range from
65 to 110 years old without any trouble.

You're right about schedule 40 being noisy. I've visited many a
"luxury" condo where I could hear the neighbor's every toilet flush.
I regard using schedule 40 plastic pipe for a waste stack as being
evidence of typical cheap construction.

Doug

On Jul 27, 2:11 am, Doug wrote:
On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:11:38 -0000, "





wrote:
On Jul 26, 10:06?pm, dpb wrote:
Eigenvector wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 21:46:48 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:

Do cast iron pipes rust inside to any large extent? I'm looking at
replacing the galvanize waste pipes that go to my septic and they meet up
at
the main line and dump into a cast iron pipe. The galvanized is rusted,
no
question, but I wonder if the cast iron would be too? I really don't want
to replace the sewer line into the septic tank.
Cast iron will rust but then the rust on cast iron forms a sort of
protective coating, preventing total rust through.

However, what really happens with cast iron piping is that stuff
adhers to the internal rust layer, especially chemical deposits. The
pipes will slowly close up to the point of clogging.
Regularly snaking out drain pipes will reduce this effect.
I've used power snakes with cutting blades. Even they sometimes have a
hard time cutting through the hardened crud. Let the pipe almost close
down and it can be impossible to snake out.

Doug

Doesn't sound like it reacts like galvanized then. whereas in galvanized if
you have rust, that means the walls of the pipe are seriously thin and at
the point of failure - reaming them out won't help, it will only hasten the
failure. So it sounds like it should be okay. Then replacing the
galvanized drain pipes with plastic and leave the cast iron sewer line
alone.

Cast doesn't act quite like malleable iron, no, because it has more carbon.

But, the prime reason is the difference in wall thickness--there simply
is a lot more material in cast iron than in Sch 40 pipe. For a 4", cast
30-lb test (the lightest common), wall thickness is 0.35" while for Sch
40 it 0.237" -- nearly 50% thicker. Consequently, it has a longer life
in general. Also, owing to being used almost exclusively for waste in
residential usage, it is non-pressurized whereas water service piping is
under pressure, accelerating any leak.

There's a current other thread of a poster who has leaking cast mains,
so it does happen.

But, I agree w/ the other poster of "if it ain't broke, it don't need
fixin'" unless you've already got it torn up and just go ahead or are
doing extensive work that will be in the way if there's need for repair
in the future.

--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

sorry my main soil stack is 57 years old, and rusted thru leaking.

if your into it anyway replace with schedule 40 plastic. except
indoors in living areas, cast iron is quiet, with plastic you hear
every drop.

cast iron just fails slower

coming soon to this home, replace the main soil stack

A life of only 57 years is rather unusual for cast iron.
Does your water have a high acidity level?

I've got several houses with cast iron waste stacks. They range from
65 to 110 years old without any trouble.


It can be troublesome to pin down why cast iron sometimes prematurely
corrodes because there is a long list of possible culprits, including
the composition of the pipe. I've always wondered why cast iron
toilet flanges often corrode like crazy when the rest of the stack is
A-OK. I'm guessing maybe that galvanic corrosion ovewhelms the carbon/
graphite matrix.