Hello,
I'm renovating my bathroom and at the same time I want to replace the cast iron main stack which goes down through the bathroom, the living room below, and then angles from the ceiling corner in the basement and exits the house through the back wall of the basement about 2 feet off the ground. I've attached a crude drawing of how the pipe runs.

I've attached a picture of where I want to cut. Any leaking you see is after the cut and will be the part being removed. I've also attached a picture of the pipe in the bathroom and where it exits the roof.

I've read a couple posts where I have to make sure the pipe is secure from above when making the cuts, but if anyone has any other helpful advice for my situation I would appreciate it. I was planning on using a sawzall for the cut in the basement but I wasn't sure if I should use something else for the other cuts.

Once I have the basement section cut out I would only be left with the vertical section. How difficult would it be to pull the pipe up through the bathroom to cut it in small sections? I'm only asking because I am trying to avoid having to knock down part of a wall in my living room to get at the pipe on the first floor.

Thanks
Trevor


I think I've found most of the info I need. My only big question left is on how feasible is it to pull the pipe up through the bathroom and cut it in small sections. I know it's heavy, just not sure exactly how heavy. The vertical pipe would be about 10-11 feet long.

I was hoping I could use riser clamps and pull the pipe up through the clamp, tighten it, cut, and repeat.

I think I've found most of the info I need. My only big question left is on how feasible is it to pull the pipe up through the bathroom and cut it in small sections. I know it's heavy, just not sure exactly how heavy. The vertical pipe would be about 10-11 feet long.

I was hoping I could use riser clamps and pull the pipe up through the clamp, tighten it, cut, and repeat.

Wouldn't it be easier to leave the 4 X 2" tee and just replace the 2" with PVC? Let me know. Tom

Thanks for the reply
That is a possibility. Although the pipe with the biggest problem is the 4 inch coming out of the tee. It has all sorts of cracks and is in bad shape in general and needs to be replaced.

The main stack itself is not in bad shape but I would prefer to replace with abs since we are moving where the tub and possibly the toilet are. I figured it would be easier to work with abs than the cast iron.

2 things...

1. In your case, I would start cutting on the top proceeding towards the basement. That way you don't have to worry about pipe falling down on you. Yes, you can cut it in sections...

2. Reminder: ABS or PVC will be "noisy", meaning you will hear water rushing down to the basement. If this pipe goes through bedroom / dining room / kitchen wall than you may not like it...

If you want to cut it in sections than rent Chain Cutter instead of using sawzall. It will go lot faster...

Let us know how you did... Milo

I would consider leaving the pipe in the wall and slideing 3 in. through it as that is all you need . Cut everything off above and below and just use as a sleeve
One plumber good luck

One plumber... interesting idea, but I'm pretty sure cutting that pipe and supporting it would simply be more work than it's worth.

Further, at least in my area, if you start as 4" in the basement you are required to continue up and through the roof full size 4". Check your code book and let me know what it says on that in your area if you don't mind... just curious?

Also curious on this with the other guys..?

Thanks... Mark

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