This is my first time posting here, and hopefully I can get some good advice.

I was in my crawlspace yesterday running some coaxial TV cables and when I was near the sewer drain pipe, I noticed it was cracked along the top . The crack was about 4-6 feet in length, and fairly close to the outside wall. The cracked sewer drain pipe is cast iron, and runs from the outside wall about 25 feet under the house, and then changes to copper.

The pipe is not leaking sewage (thank God), but there is a potential issue with methane gas leaking into the house. I sealed the crack as best I could with silicon sealer, but I realize that eventually this will have to be permanently corrected.

I thought that cast iron pipes lasted 75 years or more. My house is only about 40 years old.

I'm thinking this should be replaced with PVC, but I'm not sure if this is a job for a weekend warrior. Also, should the pipes outside the house be dug up and replaced as well?

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

-Ed

speedball1

First off, KUDUS for realizing that even if the cast iron wasn't leaking sewage it was still ejecting sewer gas. You did the right thing to seal it up until it can be replaced. If you're the least bit handy you can replace the faulty cast iron with PVC. First you will need to rent a set of cast iron ratchet,(not snap) soil pipe cutters and next you'll have to purchase 2 shielded couplings, (see image) in the correct size and enough PVC to replace the faulty piece.
Next take your cutters,( get some instruction from rental shop before you make the cuts) and cut out the faulty section of the cast iron leaving a bald piece on each end. Measure the cut and cut a piece of PVC 3/8ths" longer then your measure. The 3/8ths" will allow for the coupling gaskets to install. Couple the two pipes together and take some strap iron or a pipe hanger and support the PVC. Good luck and if you have more questions I'm as close as a click. Tom

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iamgrowler

Ummm.....

Shouldn't that be 3/8" shorter, Tom?