The situation when a cast-iron sewer pipe burst is quite common. It is not necessary to involve specialists in order to quickly eliminate the leak. This problem can be dealt with at home using simple methods.
Causes of damage
Holes in cast iron sewer pipes mainly appear at the locations of joints, connections of individual elements of the system. They can also form when cornering at right angles. Leaks are also localized at the sections of the pipeline connection with various equipment - collectors, toilet, washbasin, viewing windows.
Reasons for the appearance of cracks in the cast-iron elements of the sewage system:
- natural wear and tear - relevant for old houses, where the recommended pipe life is significantly exceeded;
- metal corrosion that occurs when it interacts with oxygen;
- insufficient sealing of joints;
- improper operation of pipelines when they are exposed to intense mechanical stress, shock;
- manufacturing defects.
Repair of a cast-iron sewer pipe will be needed if mistakes are made in the design and installation of the system. When laying underground, cracks appear when the communications are too close to the soil freezing line. This leads to the formation of ice plugs, which starts the process of metal destruction.
Repair methods
To effectively repair a chip or crack in a cast iron pipeline, it is necessary to take into account the state of the structural element itself, the size of the defective area. Repair is possible when a leak is found at the junction. Also, a complete replacement of pipes is not necessary if the damage is not too large in size.
Repair at the joints
To eliminate the leak at the junction of the individual elements of the sewer system, it is necessary to close the resulting crack. To do this, follow a simple instruction:
- The sewer system is completely turned off.
- The joint is dried using a hair dryer or rags.
- The connection between the pipes is cleaned of cement and packing.
- The gap between the pipes is minted using a special sanitary winding made of flax.
- A crack in a cast-iron sewer pipe in the toilet is covered with a mixture of PVA and polycement.
- It is allowed to start operating the sewer system one day after the completion of the repair work.
You can also fill the hole at the joint in the sewer pipe using epoxy resin, liquid rubber or glass, and waterproof glue. When using a silicone sealant, the system can be put into operation after 3 hours.
Sealing holes
Small holes in the pipes of the sewer system can be eliminated using the following materials:
- Bandage-rubber. The material helps to temporarily close the hole in the pipe. The cover is fixed in the desired position using copper or aluminum wire.
- Gauze. The problem area is wrapped in several layers, after which it is covered with epoxy resin or cement mortar.
- Plug. It is made in the form of a wooden wedge.It is not made too long, as this can cause blockages in the system. The plug is hammered in at the location of the hole, wrapped with gauze on top and impregnated with epoxy resin.
You can get rid of a leak of any complexity using clamps. The area where it is installed is pre-treated with a metal brush or sandpaper, degreased with a solvent. The defective area is wrapped with a special gasket, rubber bandage, after which a clamp is applied. To fix the unit, bolts and nuts are tightly clamped.
Elimination of small cracks
If the cast iron product bursts and a small defect has formed, liquid sealants can be used to fix it. It is possible to close holes and cracks in sewer pipes using this method if their length and width does not exceed 1 cm.
Before applying the polymer composition, the surface is cleaned and degreased. A paint brush is used to perform this operation. The sealant hardens very quickly.
Cast iron pipe sealing materials
In the sewer system, the joints are the most vulnerable point, so they require increased attention. To seal them, it is customary to use not only linen winding or plaster bandage. There are many more modern and effective materials.
Self-adhesive tape
The material is widely used in plumbing work due to its simplicity, efficiency, resistance to corrosion, and low price. Self-adhesive tape should not be used only in open areas as it is not UV resistant.
Before sealing, be sure to thoroughly prepare the surface of the pipes. They are cleaned of dirt, dust, dried, primed. The tape is wrapped around the desired area with a half overlap. The material is applied in two layers to increase reliability.
Silicone sealants
The material is presented in the form of a special mixture that hardens upon contact with air. Silicone sealants are made from rubber, there are additives to increase the strength and adhesion properties. To increase the polymerization of the mixture, manufacturers add vulcanizing admixtures to the composition.
Silicone sealants are distinguished by high resistance to various temperature conditions, sufficient mechanical strength, moisture resistance, and a long service life.
Other methods of sealing
To increase the reliability of units in the sewer system from cast-iron plumbing pipes, special mixtures are used:
- epoxy resin;
- asphalt mastic;
- technical sulfur;
- cement with asbestos fiber (in a ratio of 2: 1);
- resin strands.
At home, epoxy is most often used. For its hardening, polyethylene polyamine (cold method) or maleic anhydride (hot method) is used. Technical sulfur is suitable for sealing the drainage system. It is pre-crushed, heated and poured into the gap between the pipes.
Prevention of damage to cast iron sewer pipes
If the system has expired, it is very difficult to avoid leaks. If the cast iron pipes have been in operation for more than 20-30 years, it is more expedient to replace them, rather than repair them. In this case, it is impossible to predict where the defect will form.
In the presence of new pipes, it is recommended to avoid mechanical stress. Usually cracks arise from shock, vibration. It is also important to prevent blockages that build up pressure in the system. As a result, the risk of developing gusts increases. When installing the sewer system, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of structural elements and observe the installation technology.
