cracked cast iron vent pipe

[Ken Meyer]

The 4" cast iron vent runs horizontally through the attic for a few feet from the bathroom before turning 90 degrees and going through the roof. There is a crack in the horizontal run. Since this is not carrying liquid, is there a way to patch it? Cutting out and replacing the section would involve having to resupport the vertical run of the pipe as it up through the roof.

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[hausdok]

I'm thinking a die grinder and some J.B. Weld but I'm betting that's not what the plumbing gurus are going to say.

OT - OF!!!

M.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by Ken Meyer

The 4" cast iron vent runs horizontally through the attic for a few feet from the bathroom before turning 90 degrees and going through the roof. There is a crack in the horizontal run. Since this is not carrying liquid, is there a way to patch it? Cutting out and replacing the section would involve having to resupport the vertical run of the pipe as it up through the roof.

Why not just cut out and toss the whole mess from point where it enters the attic? Transition to ABS & be done with it.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Bill Kibbel]

That crack is probably from the top of the pipe being reduced in thickness by acidic vapor. The top of all horizontal sections are likely ready to fail. Patching won't buy much time.

I see much of that type of cracking patched by Bubba with roofing cement.

[kurt]

There is no such thing as an effective plumbing patch. Even the idea of patching goes against plumbing canon.

Get to plastic, and it's tinkertoys.

[Ken Meyer]

Originally posted by Jim Katen

Originally posted by Ken Meyer

The 4" cast iron vent runs horizontally through the attic for a few feet from the bathroom before turning 90 degrees and going through the roof. There is a crack in the horizontal run. Since this is not carrying liquid, is there a way to patch it? Cutting out and replacing the section would involve having to resupport the vertical run of the pipe as it up through the roof.

Why not just cut out and toss the whole mess from point where it enters the attic? Transition to ABS & be done with it.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

That is the simplest and most sound approach, I should have thought of it.

[Scottpat]

What Bill said! Just think about all of the other cast iron pipe in the house that you can't see and its condition.

[msteger]

When did they stop using cast iron pipes for sewer connections? Early 1970s?

[Brandon Whitmore]

There is a crack in the horizontal run. Since this is not carrying liquid, is there a way to patch it? Cutting out and replacing the section would involve having to resupport the vertical run of the pipe as it up through the roof

I may be getting a little picky, but I say that the pipe is designed to carry water (rain water). If the pipe is in that bad of shape where visible, who's to say there aren't other spots hidden spots that are deteriorated? I agree with the majority-- pipe should be replaced