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    kneetwoods's Avatar
    kneetwoods Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jun 10, 2010, 04:55 PM
    Life span of cast iron drain
    Remodeling a bathroom. Plumber suggests updating 100 year old cast iron drain to PVC. This is not in the budget. How many years can one expect to get from cast iron drains? The cast iron seems solid and in good shape.

    Thanks, Bob
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Jun 10, 2010, 05:24 PM

    My 4" cast iron main lasted for 50 years before I had to have it relined with PVC liner. However, I've seen 100 year old cast iron still in pretty good shape. Good luck, Tom
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jun 10, 2010, 07:17 PM

    I agree with Tom... Here in downtown Los Angeles we work with Cast Iron in buildings built well over 100 years ago. Depending on use and exposure to the elements, life span of C.I. may last long past that. However, most of the time C.I. pipe is fragile and too "soft" to cut with chain cutter. We usually replace from "healthy" part to "healthy" part of pipe with new C.I.

    Plastic (ABS or PVC) is relatively inexpensive material. If this is your own house you may want to consider replacing it at the time of remodeling.
    kneetwoods's Avatar
    kneetwoods Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Jun 11, 2010, 04:36 PM

    Thanks Tom and Milo for the responses.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #5

    Jun 11, 2010, 04:49 PM
    Hi all:

    In my area, when we remodel a bathroom, we replace the horizontal sections of cast iron pipe/fittings with new PVC, but we don't usually disturb the vertical sections of cast iron piping as these sections don't usually fail.

    Consider replacing the horizontal sections of old piping, but if the vertical sections look good keep them in place. You should be all set!

    Mark
    kneetwoods's Avatar
    kneetwoods Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Jun 15, 2010, 05:32 PM

    Thanks Mark. The cast does look good. The plumber today said pretty much the same as you.
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