Cast iron pipes are used primarily to remove waste water from homes to a municipal sewage system or a septic tank. Older homes may have exposed cast iron pipes in basements and crawlspaces. These pipes are supported by hangers fastened to floor joists, so when cracks occur, the odor that emanates from the pipe is usually the first indication of a problem. Waste pipe cracks require immediate attention. Applying a patch is a job you can do with a few tools, materials and basic do-it-yourself know-how. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Alert household members of the work being done and instruct them not to run water or flush toilets.
2. Locate the leaking cast iron pipe by checking the basement floor or crawlspace surface area for puddles or signs of waste.
3. Measure the diameter of the cast iron pipe, using a measuring tape. You'll need the pipe size when you purchase the repair clamp.
4. Clean the ruptured area of the cast iron pipe with a degreasing solution. Most all-purpose cleaners work well for this type of work. Dry the surface with paper towels.
5. Remove the nuts and bolts from the pipe clamp lugs. If the nuts are tight, loosen them from the bolts using the appropriate-size wrench.
6. Expand the pipe clamp and place it over the cast iron pipe with the gasket material centered over the rupture.
7. Install the bolts through the clamp lugs and attach the nuts. Tighten the nuts clockwise with a wrench until they're snug. Final tightening is performed with a torque wrench.
8. Tighten each clamp nut clockwise to 25 lb-ft of applied torque, using a torque wrench fitted with the appropriate-size socket.
Tags: cast iron pipe, iron pipe, cast iron, cast iron, clamp lugs, from pipe