i want to replace my old external cast iron soil pipe - how do i go about it , and is it easy?

Question

i'm also in the process of moving a bathroom - anyone know of any decent plumbing advice websites??

Answer 1

Are you a qualified/experienced plumber?
If not, I would advise you get a plumber to do it.

Answer 2

You can remove the cast iron pipe by either cutting it with an angle grinder and remove it in small sections or break it up with a club hammer.Cast iron pipe is very heavy thats why you need to take it down in sections. At the base where it goes under groundCut it off straight about 9 inches off the floor. Then to fit your new pipe, chamfer the edge of the piece left in the ground, and fit a multikwik drain connector onto the pipe. This may not be easy as the old pipe is imperial size, and the drain connector is metric size.Then you can assemble your new pipe. To make fittings go onto the new pipe easier, chamfer the end of the pipe with a rasp file and smear the end of the pipe with washing up liquid and the inside of the fitting all over the rubber seal. then as you push the fitting on twist it left to right as you push it on. you need to push hard until it is fully home. There is no scrap value for cast iron.

Answer 3

I advise that you think this through very carefully. I cut out an old cast iron stack pipe to replace it with plastic so I could connect in a new kitchen. It took hours to cut the pipe, because it had to be done carefully and it was very heavy, even though only 3 inch diameter. Your bathroom soil pipe will be larger and probably longer, so very heavy. If you get the new pipwork wrong you will have sewer smells in your house.

Answer 4

There is a tool that has a cutting/scoring chain that you use to get a good flat "cut" on the cast iron pipe >>sorta like "scoring" glass ,and then snapping it off. This will leave a good end where you can adapt it over by using a proper size rubber adaptor boot--this will allow you to join the 2 different types(and sizes)of pipe together securely with the metal straps you tighten up on using a nutdriver/screwdriver.
You will wear yourself out trying to use a hacksaw--and many hacksaw blades too--use the tool above for good results.

Answer 5

the hard part is removing the old pipe at the toilet end ..best to break it with a hammer ..the pipe itself will be quite heavy as its cast iron ..careful to remove the pipe at ground level so you do not break the pipe ..this is the salt glazed pipe the soil pipe connects to ..you have to fit a pan connecter into this bit and then insert the new plastic pipe ..after that its easy

Answer 6

The cast iron pipe will change to clay at the bottom, you will need a plastic to clay adapter the rest is easy in plastic just push together, but plan what fittings you require as they can be expensive.

Answer 7

changing from cast iron is not so easy as it sounds. You can use rubber boots to convert to whatever new material you want to use but removing the cast iron can be difficult. Hard to cut or break.

Answer 8

NO IT ISN'T EASY. That is why there are plumbers. You have to worry about fall, fittings, adaptions to existing, safety, tools, hauling away, sanitary, and you are supposed to have a permit and an inspection for such work. Just hire someone before you get in over your head.