[Thomas Kleaton]

Hi! I am trying to renovate our 1963 split level (my wife is about to pull her hair out because we can't move in yet) and am wondering about the feasibility of replacing this stack and plumbing with PVC from the roof to just above where the white pipe is in the photo of lower level.

I am installing a stackable washer and dryer on the floor directly above the cast iron with the white pvc attached to it, and have no drain. The 2" PVC shown is going to a new Kohler Bellwether tub I'm putting in, and I don't think adding a washer drain there would be wise. To the left of the white pipe there is another 2" drain pipe behind the water heater going through a hole in the cement block there, but that would make for a really long washer drain pipe.

The main reasons I'm considering replacing most of the cast iron is that, even though we are not currently using it, I see rusty drips on the lowest floor directly beneath the stack (rain?) Both bathroom toilet flanges in the cement floor (I removed 2 tons of concrete and tile) were rotted, and all drain plumbing in the back to back bathrooms has to be replaced. Some of it has been. As you can see, I've stripped the walls, and don't want to re-drywall them until I have made a decision on this.

Thanks for any replies!

 

[joed]

Other than the work involved I don't see any issue. Cast iron is heavy.

 

[jmon]

Imo, those cast iron pipes look fine. It's the ones that are buried I worry about.

 

[Thomas Kleaton]

Imo, those cast iron pipes look fine. It's the ones that are buried I worry about.

I'm thinking about leaving these pipes; I probably need to look in the attic when it comes a really heavy thunderstorm to check for a leaking roof seal and rainwater running down the outside of the stack. I had a plumber make the PVC repairs you see.

The dark spot you see on pipe in fifth photo down, although I haven't seen any leaks on floor, feels like wet silicone to the touch. I'm not sure what it is. I thought about knocking a hole through one of the blocks behind the white PVC drain pipe, running a new 2" PVC washer drain through there, and attaching it to the 2" drain pipe on the other side of that wall, shown in the attachment to this posting. This was the original washer drain being used. The person we bought the house from had a dryer vent installed that was 14' long. Way too long.

 

[jmon]

After I zoomed in on pic 5, It's possible that some water could be getting through the oakum. Not likely. It doesn't look like sewer to me. The black sticky substance could possibly be some type of reaction with the pipe coating/lead joint from the leaking water coming down the roof vent as you mention. Remember, those old black cast iron pipes are coated with a heavy coat of asphalt type paint.

I agree with you, it could be coming from above as in a leaking/cracked roof vent. They do eventually need replacement or repair.

Your idea of testing is sound, wait for the next heavy rain and keep an eye on that spot. Put some paper towels or bucket there. If you notice it more with a heavy rain then your theory is correct. Just my opinion.

If you do decide to remove and replace it, as mentioned, be very careful, it's very heavy. Do it in sections with braces.

Hope you get it figured out and everything working the way you want Tom.

 

[dj3]

Your CI looks fine to me in the pictures, and I also think that the rusty spots are from external moisture.