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    lambsproperty's Avatar
    lambsproperty Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 9, 2009, 08:20 AM
    Cast Iron piping under concrete filled with dirt
    Our house resides on a ranch, a 4 inch slab of concrete. The full bathroom is located directly straight from the access area on our front lawn (sewer). We had a problem with water backing up there, so we had roto rooter snake it, which relieved the problem. But we were still experiencing bubbles coming back up through the toilet when the washer was running.

    The washer and kitchen are on the opposite side of the house from the bathroom. While remodeling the kitchen/washer area, we noticed the vent pipe going out would be a good idea to put a 1/2 bath, flange right by the vent, and about 5 feet away is where we'd put the sink (hot/cold water already there, cause that's where the water heater is)

    So we cut through he cememt where the vent pipe is, dug the pipe out and cut it. Unfortunately the pipe was completely packed with dirt, this is 3 inch cast iron. Even more surprising is that it has a 2 inch pipe heading directly towards the sink, away from any water flow. This pipe also was filled with dirt. Again we were fairly surprised that a pipe would be heading that way, it doesn't seem to go anywhere. So we're assuming now the kitchen connects in where the washer is, and they both flow by the master bathroom. Going round this 2 inch pipe. Which is OK except for the fact the washer/kitchen/master bath have little to no air flow going out the vent.

    Our idea is to cut down the cast iron vent pipe (also goes through attic), replace that and the tee with PVC. For the tee/flange area, we then would rent a 50ft auger from HD and snake that towards where the washer/kitchen piping passes by.

    This make sense? We've done plumbing before, but obviously the dirt through a wrench into what would be a straight forward toilet area. Also what the heck is the 2 inch piping going to? Since it's dormant, we were thinking of capping it.

    Any ideas would help!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    Sep 10, 2009, 05:51 AM
    Our idea is to cut down the cast iron vent pipe (also goes through attic), replace that and the tee with PVC. For the tee/flange area, we then would rent a 50ft auger from HD and snake that towards where the washer/kitchen piping passes by.
    Sounds like you ran into some abandoned sewer pipes down there. Was this then pipe you were going to snake? Let me know, tom
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    lambsproperty Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Sep 10, 2009, 06:27 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Sounds like you ran into some abandoned sewer pipes down there. Was this then pipe you were gonna snake? Let me know, tom
    Basically the vent pipe that tees and eventually connects to the washer/kitchen line, we were going to snake that. The other pipe that is no longer used, that heads away from the sewer, we were going to cap. Let me know if you need anymore detail, and thanks for your time
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    lambsproperty Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Sep 10, 2009, 12:27 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by lambsproperty View Post
    Basically the vent pipe that tees and eventually connects to the washer/kitchen line, we were gonna snake that. The other pipe that is no longer used, that heads away from the sewer, we were gonna cap. Let me know if you need anymore detail, and thanks for your time
    Here's a picture, hopefully explains better, the other guy is more able with work, I'm more able with computers and postings :)
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    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #5

    Sep 10, 2009, 12:47 PM
    Is nothing draining into that vent from upstairs?
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    lambsproperty Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Sep 10, 2009, 01:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Is nothing draining into that vent from upstairs?
    The vent that goes from under the floor, through the attic appears to just be for air, but since the pipe heading towards the sink seems to be unused for a long time, no water passes through that pipe, by the vent, to keep it clean, thus we think dirt got packed in there.

    So when the washer (sorry that's next to the sink forgot to put that in), or the sink water run, the water does not pass by the vent pipe.

    I think then the air has no where to go since all 3 pipes where we broke concrete are filled with dirt. Then the air escapes through he toilet

    Also to note all pipes are under the foundation, running horizontal, except for the vent pipe which extends from where we broke the concrete, through the roof, running vertical

    Quote Originally Posted by lambsproperty View Post
    The vent that goes from under the floor, thru the attic appears to just be for air, but since the pipe heading towards the sink seems to be unused for a long time, no water passes thru that pipe, by the vent, to keep it clean, thus we think dirt got packed in there.

    So when the washer (sorry that's next to the sink forgot to put that in), or the sink water run, the water does not pass by the vent pipe.

    I think then the air has no where to go since all 3 pipes where we broke concrete are filled with dirt. Then the air escapes throught he toilet

    Also to note all pipes are under the foundation, running horizontal, except for the vent pipe which extends from where we broke the concrete, through the roof, running vertical

    Sorry reread what you wrote, just to confirm, nothing is upstairs, only that vent pipe used to get the air/gasses out. The attic is empty and just used as an access area for running wires, etcs
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