Austin, TX · Member since 2014 · 15 posts · 4 votes
Good afternoon,
I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a cast iron plumbing specialist. I have a house under contract that requires the cast iron plumbing under the house to be replaced. The seller provided one bid, but I would like to do my own due diligence.
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a cast iron plumbing specialist. I have a house under contract that requires the cast iron plumbing under the house to be replaced. The seller provided one bid, but I would like to do my own due diligence.
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I'll pm you a name from New Braunfels. I don't know if he does cast iron but he is an awesome plumber and reasonable.
Oklahoma City, OK · Member since 2016 · 62 posts · 37 votes
9y
Hello Christian, I know in the Oklahoma area you do not have to specifically find a cast iron specialist. Cast iron was widely popular in the 19th and 20th centuries. The problem is that it basically corrodes and deteriorates into cardboard paper. I worked for a plumbing company for two years and did multiple sewer line replacements. My point being, a experienced plumbing company that is licensed to replace drain lines has ran into the problem you are now facing.
Are they having to break up flooring in the house to access the lines?
Austin, TX · Member since 2014 · 15 posts · 4 votes
9y
@Braden Downs, thanks for your insight. Here is a portion of the quote I've received:
We performed a visual inspection with our sewer camera and found that the kitchen sink was not draining into the sewer. After locating and marking the problem areas we strongly recommend that the cast iron sewer pipe from the outside cleanout to approximately 30 feet inside be replaced.
Proposal: Our recommendation is to;
-Excavate, remove and replace outside cleanout with pvc to proper grade
-Tunnel underneath the foundation from the outside near the cleanout, removing hazardous waste, dirt, and old cast iron sewer pipe
-replacing cast iron pipe with pvc with proper grade to meet all sewer ties, back filling with sand and dirt
They estimated 12k in plumbing work, with the following statement "Any siding, sheetrock, flooring, etc. removed which is necessary to the repairing of the sewer will be put back by others."
Property Manager · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
Is the house sitting in a slab? Or are they going under a driveway or something? If not that number seems extremely high. I've done this several times and not paid anywhere near 12k. That's more than it should be to re plumbing entire house. Also, I don't like them only going to to the clean out. Ask why they are going all the way to the city main line. I would suggest you get some more estimates.
If sitting on a slab there are some epoxy methods that's don't require any digging and would be cheaper to.
Good luck.
Yes it is a slab foundation. I'm going to get a hold of the original quote provider to get some more clarifications on the price. What would you estimate the actual repairs to be based on the description?
First, Christian you obviously want to get a second quote. Even if they say they will charge you the fee for camera inspection. The $200 or so it cost is worth it.
Second, I don't necessarily see a problem only going to the clean out. If the cast iron hasn't corroded out there yet, why mess with it? They will just throw a fernco sleeve on it.
Third, how deep are your lines outside? We dug 10ft down once. Deeper = more $$$. I assume their pricing is based on a standard replacement fee + extra $ per additional sqft.
If you are looking to save money, see how much they would take off if you dug up the lines yourself. If the lines are only 2-5 ft deep outside you could dig it with a shovel in a day. All you have to do is expose the pipe enough that a sawzaw can make a clean cut and the new pieces can fit.
Property Manager · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
well under slab is much more expensive so that may be the right number. Try to get an estimate from a company that will not dig up, but coat the inside with epoxy. I did that once under a slab for 5k. All the way to the street.
Thanks for your feedback and help. I spoke with the plumber who gave the quote, and he said there would be no internal modifications to the floor/foundation, but extensive digging around/under the house.
I definitely plan to get another quote. Thanks again.
I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a cast iron plumbing specialist. I have a house under contract that requires the cast iron plumbing under the house to be replaced. The seller provided one bid, but I would like to do my own due diligence.
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I'll pm you a name from New Braunfels. I don't know if he does cast iron but he is an awesome plumber and reasonable.