How to repair a crack or fistula in a cast-iron sewer pipe

We can all face such an unpleasant situation as the formation of cracks and leaks in the sewer pipeline. And even if this has not happened yet, due to the natural aging of the communications, the probability of a question arising as to what closes the crack in the cast-iron sewer pipe will increase every day. Of course, you can install a new element of the sewage system instead, but not everyone can afford such a "pleasure".

There are several ways to fix a leak from a crack in a cast-iron pipe.

Why do cracks form in the cast iron pipe

To choose the right method of repairing sewer pipes, it is necessary to find out why they leaked. First of all, locate the crack formation. Pay special attention to the joints of the pipes, as well as various external defects of the cast-iron pipe.

If you find that the sewer pipe leaks at the junction of the fittings, then the reason lies in the negligence of the plumbers when installing the sewage system.

In general, cast iron is not particularly resistant. First of all, impulsive effects, in other words, strokes, are contraindicated for him. Although it should be noted that the owner would not have to repair the sewer pipe in the apartment with an even distribution of the load throughout the pipe.

Cast iron pipes are durable and can last for more than a dozen years, but they must be protected from mechanical stress.

New cast iron products are characterized by greater strength, however, they can withstand only mild impacts. But the crack will inevitably appear from any load within 10-20 years. And well, if it is enough just to cover it, and not to change the entire pipe.

How to eliminate a leak in a cast-iron sewer pipe

There are several ways to solve this problem. The following factors influence the choice: the strength of the pipeline, the presence of longitudinal cracks and chips, as well as the magnitude of the defects. As practice shows, the repair of the sewer pipe without dismantling is allowed in such cases:

• if there are small cracks or holes in the riser body;
• when sewage flows at the junction of pipes.

If the sewer pipe flows at the junction to close the cracked connection, do the following:

1. Disconnect the sewage system for the duration of the work.
2. Using a rag or hair dryer, dry the joints.
3. Eliminate cement from joints. Remove the remaining packing from the slots.
4. Using a linen plumbing winder, check the gap formed between the nozzles.
5. Make an aqueous solution that includes polycement and PVA glue.
6. Spread a crack on the joint in several layers.
7. Do not use the sewer during the day.

To eliminate leaks from the pipe joint, seal the connection with plumbing flax

Helpful advice! Instead of the above solution, you can use a special silicone sealant. Then the permissible period of downtime of the sewage system will be only 3 hours. In addition, close up the joints of sewer pipes You can use waterproof glue, crude rubber, epoxy or children's plasticine.

To avoid permanent repairs of the cast-iron sewer pipe, talk with your neighbors about a comprehensive replacing the riser of the sewage system until it finally bursts. After all, even a small leak can become a harbinger of big troubles, when an element of engineering communication that has exhausted its resource fails and all the apartments on the lower floors are flooded with sewage.

To eliminate leaks in small holes, you can use:

• bandage rubber. This material is suitable only for temporary repairs of cast iron sewer pipes. The bandage must be fixed with tight turns of aluminum or copper wire;
• stubs. It is very important that such wooden wedges be of short length. Otherwise, they will play the role of a hotbed of blockage of the sewage system. Drive the chopped chopped gently into the place where the pipe flows, then wrap the pipeline with gauze and at the final stage soak it with epoxy;
• cheesecloth. Wrap the pipeline in several layers of this material, having previously impregnated gauze with the same epoxy resin or cement mortar. The winding should look like a cocoon;
• special clamp. Repairing sewer pipes in an apartment with its help is carried out as follows: first you need to wrap the hole with a gasket, then cover the rubber with a clamp and tighten it. This method eliminates any leaks.

The fastest method to eliminate leaks in a sewer pipe is to lay a clamp

You can repair a small crack that appears in the pipe like this:

1. Expand it, giving the recess a V-shape. This place will also need to be covered with a sealing agent.
2. Degrease and dry the crack.
3. Pour (cover) with silicone or sealant.

How to seal sewer pipes most reliably

The question of how to seal the joints of sewage elements in an apartment has already been briefly discussed above. The above methods began to be used simultaneously with the advent of cast iron sewer pipes. But the achievements of science and technology do not stand still. This led to the introduction of new technologies in this area. Experts are unanimous: if a cast-iron sewer pipe burst in the apartment, it is best to eliminate the leak without dismantling the engineering communications with the help of phosphoric acid and copper oxide.

Helpful information! These chemicals, having reacted, solidify over a period of time. This phenomenon is accompanied by the formation of a strong bookmark at the site of damage.

Leak elimination is performed in the following sequence:

1. Clearing your intended bookmark location. To do this, use sandpaper or a hard metal brush.
2. Degrease the problem area with acetone or another solvent.
3. Preparing the mixture with which you will seal the leak. The ingredients - phosphoric acid and copper oxide powder - are mixed in a ratio of 2: 3.
4. Actually sealing. Coat the joint with the resulting composition immediately after mixing. It will freeze instantly, so you can use the system in a few hours.

You can clean the pipe qualitatively with a special metal brush - manual or in the form of a nozzle on a drill

The answer to the question of how to seal the cast iron sewer pipe most reliably would be incomplete without mentioning another method. For its implementation, powdered ammonia is used, which is mixed with sulfur and iron filings. Water is added to the mixture until a thick consistency is formed. The practice of using this method of sealing joints of sewer pipes in an apartment and sealing damaged segments has demonstrated the amazing durability of the formed joint.

How to seal a sewer pipe is the easiest

Very often, homeowners are interested in how to gloss over a cast-iron sewer pipe if it flows at a choked joint.Silicone sealant will come to the rescue again. Before closing the joint of the sewer pipe, clean the socket from the old putty, remove the remaining debris and dry the pipe.

Note that the following phenomenon is often encountered: the connection does not flow, but emits an unpleasant odor. Sealing sewer pipes in this case, can be performed using conventional cement. In order to make the bond stronger and accelerate the setting, add a small amount of sodium silicate (water glass) to the solution before coating the joint.

It is very simple to repair sewer pipes with your own hands in the apartment by using Cold Welding glue. To seal a hole well, before starting work, empty the cavity of the sewage system from the remaining liquid and mark the place of leakage with chalk. Then clean the surface of the pipe and degrease it. Apply a small patch of “cold welding” to the damaged area, and then apply a rubber sealant to it. By the way, this method is also the answer to the question of how to eliminate leaks in a plastic sewer pipe.

In conclusion, it should be noted that if the sewer pipe leaks at the junction, it can be sealed with a tape consisting of an aluminum or copper layer on a bitumen-rubber base. The tape is very effective, has the strength and durability. And the sealing of sewer pipes is very simple.