Leaky sewer line

rockabelly

I'm new here and need some advice.

We have had a sewage smell in our house recently and I just went into the crawl space to have a look and I found a leak in the main sewer line. I was doing laundry at the time so it was easy to find. This is an old house and the sewer main is cast iron. The sewer pipes going to the main were redone recently (before we purchased the house) and they are pvc.
What is the best way to take care of this leak?
Is there any way to patch the line or do we need to replace the crack section?
Any help would be appreciated.

DeeTee

I have heard of people using a repair clamp sized for the pipe, but I've never actually seen one of these repairs. I supose if it's a long crack then this method won't work.

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justdon

It is probably WHY the other part was replaced. Can you 'see' the end of the pvc or is it buried?? Easiest and most permanent is to take out all the cast you can and redo with more PVC.

skymaster

Replace it. Repair of CI is all but impossible. If you can get to the hub of the next section go from there. HOWEVER GET A PLUMBER this is NOT a job for inexperienced DIY.
JackM

rockabelly

The leak is at a union were two pieces come together. It there any way to seal up the connection? It doesn't appear to be cracked, but leaking from the connection. It's not is a great spot as there is plenty of foundation around and it's difficult to get to.

skymaster

IF this joint is a leaded joint in a normal hub and spigot joint, you can take a hammer and a flat ended pc of steel and hammer the lead tighter into the joint and hopefully will stop drip

CMPLUMBER

If the hub is leaking out of the joint, i would avise as above, repair the lead seal. You can try to pound it in but you may be better off to replace the piping. the cast is probably worn thin and wont stand the pounding.you could try to use a fitting called a fernco clamp and slice it so you can wrap around the hub and pipe, but its a little hokey. These are the sizes and part numbers, who knows maybe save yourself a few hundred! http://www.fernco.com/1002.asp

Marlin

Using a fernco like that would probably work. However is is a pretty hack repair job and their is a good chance a few years from now you will be replacing it anyway. I'd replace the cast with PVC from the leak to the new PVC you had installed. The only other way to really do it right would be dig the lead and oakum out, inspect the pipe, if it's in good shape clean it up, pack it with oakum, and pour lead. You won't be able to get a dual tight in there since you can't take the joint apart.

para1

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CMPLUMBER

Rather than repour the led, you can get a product, i think it is called pc180. It has the oakum as per a typical old lead joint but the oakum is stuffed with a cement. The application is simple, just repack joint with wetted oakum and let dry. I have not used this product in about 15 years, but I recall it was easy and cost effective. If anyone knows the name of this stuff, let me know, I am not sure its pc180, or pc100 or something.

Marlin

Pipe lining is almost never practical. You could try to repack it with some kind of epoxy.