What do you think about this plumbing? Cast Iron video

Question

I have a historic home I am working on a deal. We had camera put in, and plumber could see portions of cast iron and said we should replace everything. He could not get into copper lines due to smaller fittings, but said if cast iron was bad likely copper bad too.

Here are his videos:

video 1

video 2

Wholesaler got a plumber that says he is able to get into copper portion and looks fine and he believes we only need to replace a portion at substantially less. He sent this photo and said due to the color difference the copper looked to be fine.

photo

What are yall seeing if anything?

Henry T. · Answer

Not enough info here. the scope only went out 18'. Is that all of the problem or does it go another 100 feet? Get a bunch of bids and make a decision if its worth it.

The line looks dry, why is that? Is it uninhabitable?

JD Martin · Answer

What I see is: what is the debris field at the beginning of the second video? Looks like a bunch of concrete rubble or something. The line looks completely dry with growth flaking off; how long has it been since any water has run through the line? On the photo, I have no idea what they are trying to say with the line drawn through it and the word copper on it.

On the first video I see some tuberculation in the cast iron which is normal. As noted above they're only in 18 feet which is not going to get you to the main unless your house sits right on the street or similar.

It is pretty rare to see copper used in waste lines. Copper is going to be your potable water lines, cast iron is your waste lines.

Since you are working through a wholesaler you are probably about to be taken for a ride, since you've posting this up here. You might want to just pass on this unless there's a lot of meat on the bone. Your plumber that said if cast iron was bad copper is probably bad too has no idea what he's talking about (assuming the copper is your potable water lines) as there's no relationship between the two whatsoever. Copper lines usually go bad from acidic water which lets the copper develop pinholes; occasionally you'll have solder joint failure. Cast iron waste lines become so tuberculated that waste can't pass through, or the joints fail and allow heavy root or soil intrusion. No one is going to get a camera into your potable water lines because they are probably 1/2" or 3/4" lines.

Alesha Walker · Answer

Ultimate result - we passed. Was a very hard decision as it was a historic home that I really wanted to AIRBNB as it was one of the first atomic shelters built in the US - but love doesn't = money/good business.

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

I have not seen 4" copper waste lines but I have seen a lot of drain lines from sinks and bathtubs that are copper and that eventually tie into cast iron. I have even seen copper on steam heating system uses as part of a wet return, that isn't exactly a waste line, but it is a line where water drains back to the boiler not unlike how a waste line drains.

Henry T. · Answer

Find another plumber. From the info presented here he's a crook. " likely copper bad too"???  One has nothing to do with the other.

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

@Alesha Walker, a tradesman who wants to be hired for an expensive job has a vested interest in up-selling you on something that may not be your best option.

Cast iron drain lines might last 50 years or 150 years! For drain lines buried in the ground, which are expensive to dig up and replace, why would I dig up a 50 year old line to replace it when it might literally last another 100 years!

I would in a normal course of a rehab replace cast iron lines on the interior of the home and basement if they are accessible and if I already have a plumber there doing work as those are cheap and easy to replace at that time.

IF a buried cast iron line had actual issues, I would then weigh the options. If for example there were signs of root infiltration through a joint or something, I would consider taking an action, BUT that might not mean replacing the line. There are options to line the pipe. They insert a sock and I believe use an epoxy product to create a liner inside the old cast iron pipe significantly extending its life for much less cost. Digging up and replacing a buried pipe is a last resort.

For copper water lines, I wouldn't look to replace buried lines until they actually fail for the same reasons and again if doing work on the interior I will often replace with PEX as Im getting other work done.

What do you think about this plumbing? Cast Iron video

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