Can a cracked underground iron water line be patched?

Question

Or can some plumber explain in detail what a plumbing company does to fix an underground cast iron water line? This seems to be some big secret only a very few people know. How hard can it be to fix a cracked or disjoined cast iron water pipe? What is involved besides digging a hole, cutting some pipe, and putting some new pipe in and welding it together?

greg - you must be confused or something, because cast iron water pipes have been in use for over 500 years!

Answer 1

This will all depend on the size of the pipe and the pressure flowing through it.

But typically, water lines in the ground are patched with what is called a saddle clamp. The water flow to the pipe is shut off and allowed to depressurize. They will clean off the outside of the pipe and wrap a thick rubber sheet around the hole and apply a steel "saddle" over the rubber sheeting. The saddle is bolted into place causing the rubber to be pressed against the pipe and sealing the leak.

Answer 2

The problem with steel pipes buried in the ground is, rust! If a pipe has failed in one spot, chances are very high that another spot will start to leak very soon. Steel pipes, were favored by electricians, who used the pipe for a "ground", thus dooming the pipe, from that point on. Your best bet, is to replace the line, with a new PVC plastic line. It has a smooth bore, so you won't have corrosion build up on the inside of the pipe, and it won't rust away. Your friction loss, is reduced, and it is a system that you can repair, instead of having to rely on a plumber. Good luck!

Answer 3

They will replace it. I have seen companies come in and repair large lines in industrial settings. They first insert a new plastic liner and then inflate it. I didn't learn or I have forgot how they cured it, I think it was heat though. Then they cut the ends of the plastic balloon off and the line was repaired.
Residential lines aren't that big, and besides if it's bad in one spot there have to be others that are close to failing too.

Good luck

Answer 4

Cast iron water line? You must be confused on something, water lines are never (and have never) been cast iron. Sewage and drainage piping can be cast iron but never a water line. Water lines (lines that supply water to your house) are copper, brass, or galvanized steel.

I will address both for you:

If its a cast iron drain line (a part of your house's sewer system) that's leaking underground. The plumber will excavate where the break is and dig the hole so that it's large enough for him to work in safely. He will cut out the cast iron drain line where its already broken, removing the bad portion.. He will then inspect the condition of the existing line to make sure that the existing line is strong enough to with stand the torque of tightening up the repair clamps and putting the new piece of pipe in to replace what he cut out. If he deems the pipe to be too weak, he may dig the hole back some more looking for a stronger portion of pipe to tie back onto. Sometimes it gets to the point where he's unable to find a good portion of the line, he will then recommend replacing the entire line underground, because it would make no sense to only make a repair, put the dirt back and then have to dig it back up in a year to replace another piece.

Now for water lines (lines that actually supply water to the building). He will dig up where the leak is, making the hole large enough to work in safely. He will cut the bad part out and splice in a new piece of copper or brass piping. There are no underground solder (weld joints) allowed due to plumbing code. he will have to use industrial compression fittings to make the splice, however he before doing so he will once again make sure the existing line is in good enough shape to tie on to and make a proper repair.

I did a brief summary of events for you on both scenarios and, it will be one or the other for you, i did both because you didn't give enough info but thats ok too.

edit: no offense to the guy that said this, but do not listen to the guy that talked about the saddle clamp repair, it is a "mickey mouse" repair job and will not last more than a year, if that. You are asking for more problems if you only have your plumber make that repair.

Regardless of the problem, have them make the repair the proper way, it gives you peace of mind avoiding future problems.

Answer 5

If you want to save a huge amount of expense, you can dig enough to expose all of the pipe that's cracked or disjoined, plus another several feet each way. Then call the plumber. When he's done, you fil lit back in. Or you can pay an $80 an hour plumber to dig.

Answer 6

Generally no, you will have to remove it and have it welded. One good thing is that Honda's have problems cracking exhaust manifolds, so aftermarket ones exist that are better than the original ones

Answer 7

You do it and send me the bill. Keep the cost less than replacing it with plastic...Never heard of cast iron supply lines..