The architecture of cast iron pipes allows them to survive for up to 100 years. While various factors influence how much a pipe can last, the current life of a pipe can vary, which indicates that cast iron pipes may fail sooner than expected. If your house gets built more than a century earlier. In that case, the cast iron drain pipe is reaching the end of its lifespan, and you may begin to notice problems shortly. Cast iron pipes would have to get updated at some point. So you might be thinking about how to replace cast iron drain pipe with PVC?
Continue reading the article; you will now know why you need to update the cast iron drain pipe.
How To Replace Cast Iron Drain Pipe With PVC?
The following parts go over each technique for cutting cast iron pipe and other suggestions and procedures for a successful project.
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Prepare To Cut The Cast Iron Pipe
You must ensure that your existing cast iron pipe gets adequately supported before cutting it. You may use various pipe supports to anchor the cast iron pipe before cutting it. The following are a few options:
- Strap for hanging
- Supports in the Clamp Style
- Clamp for a riser
Support the regions of cast iron pipe following the initial piece you wish to cut with hanger straps. A pipe supporter gets advised to be provided with every Five feet of pipe run while cutting a horizontal length of cast iron pipe. When cutting vertical cast iron pipelines, you’ll usually want to utilize a “riser clamp.”
Riser clamps are indeed a two-piece structure that fits around your pipe and is screwed together. These form a “flange” around the cast iron pipe, which bears against the floor framework and supports it.
How To Connect PVC Pipe Without Glue? Read HERE.
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Mark the location
Although you may draw the “cut” line on the cast iron pipe with anything, pencil and pen don’t show up very well on cast iron. It gets suggested that you indicate your cut line using a crayon or chalk. There’s no need to mark the whole diameter of the cast iron pipe if you’re using a snap cutter.
Using an end mill or even a rotary saw, though, marking the pipe all the way around is beneficial. To do so, wrap a piece of yarn or a sheet of paper around the pipe. Now trace along the yarn or paper’s edge.
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Cut the Cast Iron Sewer Pipe
Safety before you do anything:
- Safety glasses are required.
- Using earplugs
- Gloves
Follow the techniques below:
Using Reciprocating Saw
If done correctly, cutting cast iron pipe with a reciprocating saw may be completed in only a few minutes. Following these methods will allow you to cut through to the cast iron pipe:
- Using chalk, draw a cut line here on cast iron pipe.
- Make a “groove” or “guide” for the reciprocating saw blade with a hacksaw. It will prevent your blade from sliding beyond the cut line.
- Using the reciprocating saw, cut through the pipe with consistent pressure. Depending on the pipe and blade state, this might take 1-2 minutes.
Replace Cast Iron Drain Pipe Using a Grinder
Grinding Cast Iron Pipe using an Angle Grinder is a convenient way to cut cast iron pipe because many households have this instrument. To cut cast iron using an angle grinder, perform the following steps:
- Using chalk or crayon, draw a cut line on a cast iron pipe. It gets strongly advised that you mark the whole diameter of the pipe while using an angle grinder.
- Cut through the cast iron with an angle grinder and a diamond cutting wheel/blade.
- Apply equal pressure around the pipe with the angle grinder following your cut line.
- After cutting through the pipe, safely remove it from the plumbing portion.
- Remove the cast iron pipe and replace it with PVC pipe
Remove the cast iron pipe piece from the current plumbing header once both ends have got cut. Next, clean the leftover cast iron pipe segments to ensure no impurities or sharp edges remain on your cut pipe sections.
You’ll need a flexible “Fernco” connector to link PVC pipe to an old cast iron sewage line. Your application will determine the size and kind of “Fernco” flexible coupling you’ll require.
Visually verify the connections after replacing a length of cast iron pipe with PVC pipe to verify that there were no leaks. Proceed to compress the straps till the leak ceases; if any drips or leakage get seen at the “Fernco” flexible connection.
Why Do Water Pipes Rattle And How To Fix Rattled Water Pipes? Read Here.
Cast Iron vs PVC
After how to replace cast iron drain pipe with PVC. Let’s talk about what is a significant difference between Cast Iron vs PVC
- PVC pipes are highly flexible, making them less prone to fracture, leakage, and cracking. Because the PVC composite is unaffected by wear, it can withstand cracking under pressure without splitting. Because of this unique property, PVC pipes get widely employed in situations where pipes must withstand intense pressure and movement. Even when pressures and vibrations are applied, PVC remains unaltered. Cast-iron pipes are susceptible to thin-wall syndrome.
- Corrosion affects iron pipes, resulting in leaks, fissures, and bacteria spread. Pipe replacement is expensive, but it is required to keep the pipes from deteriorating every year. With PVC, there are no issues. After 10 – 20 years, the most modern kind of plastic that doesn’t fracture, leak, or rust doesn’t need to be changed, mainly if one pipe gets used for several purposes. PVC is a cost-effective alternative because of its abrasion resistance.
- Cast iron is indeed a brittle metal. Because water flowing down a high stack produces a lot of noise, water bouncing is a concern with PVC pipes. It often gets assumed that there’s a leak behind such a loud wall.
Final Thought
Because it is sturdy and long-lasting, cast iron drain pipe is ordinary for sewage systems. However, connecting cast iron sewage pipes to PVC can be challenging if unfamiliar with the technique. We are sure that the above article helped you connect those two kinds of pipes and some pointers on making the procedure go more smoothly.
