Damaged plumbing on foundation lift

[Tony Castronovo]

I've done a few rehabs involving concrete slab foundation leveling (common in Texas).  But my current project was one of the worst.  Had to lift part of the foundation about three inches.  Due to the age of the property the plumbing under the slab was determined to be cast iron.  Well, that stuff is not very flexible.  While we have no specific evidence that anything was damaged, it is pretty likely.  The foundation repair company pretty much told me it would be an additional $5500 to re-route / re-pipe all the underground plumbing.  That's on top of an already pricey leveling job.  Ouch!

Anyone else experience something like this?  Did you bite the bullet or wait to see if problems arose?  I am told that a hydrostatic test is what is used in the industry to evaluate the integrity of the underground plumbing...but that it can't be done on cast iron.  Not sure how true that is.

[Andy Webb]

@Tony Castronovo - We have dealt with a lot of slab lifts and plumbing issues.  $5500 to repipe a house is not a bad price. If all the plumbing is on the outside of the house, consider running the new piping around the house instead of under the slab - this can be a little cheaper.  And keep in mind you may be able to address the specific area where the leak/break is and not necessarily repipe the entire thing.  Of course, from a long-term hold perspective, brand new pvc plumbing sure is a good deal.

A hydrostatic test absolutely can be used on cast iron plumbing.  Stay away from whoever told you otherwise.  If you are lifting a house with cast iron pipes 3" and the pipes are anywhere in the area of the lift, you are guaranteed to have a problem.  Besides, the cast iron is in all likelihood corroded and junk anyhow. 

Andy