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CyndiwithaY · Jul 16, 2009, 05:35 PM

Hi... about 10 years ago I had my drain pipe from the upstairs bathroom repaired by cutting out a cracked section and replacing it with pvc. Today I was in the basement, heard dripping, found the pipe dripping water where it curves to go outside. Using a flashlight, I could see that the water was coming from up in the wall above the joint. When we ran the water in the bathroom the dripping became a stream. Now, 2 days ago, the toilet was clogged. When the plunger didn't work, I used the hot water/dish soap method and after the 3rd try it cleared the toilet just fine. I'm hoping that I didn't cause a problem, but the leaking appears to not be a new situation. I had tenants there for a year or so, but they never said anything. And he worked for a plumber... anyhow, my ultimate question is if there is another crack, can it be patched again either with pvc or the epoxy; and at what point does the whole pipe need to be replaced? Tomorrow I am planning on removing the panelling that covers the pipe on the first floor, start tracking down where the leak is actually coming from. Thanks...

Milo Dolezal · Jul 16, 2009, 05:39 PM

I assume it is a drain pipe that leaks: once you open up the wall and locate the leak , replace as much of the pipe as you can. The pipe is cheap and you will use the same 2 couplings whether you are replacing 6 inches or 10 feet of pipe.

CyndiwithaY · Jul 16, 2009, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

I assume it is a drain pipe that leaks: once you open up the wall and locate the leak , replace as much of the pipe as you can. The pipe is cheap and you will use the same 2 couplings whether you are replacing 6 inches or 10 feet of pipe.

Thanks, you have a point about replacing as much as I can(100+yr old house). I'm also reading some of the other questions/answers here and remembered that the toilet had been seated originally (2 yrs ago when bathroom was renovated) on a not-level floor, with no shims, and when pulled it off, it was found that it wasn't touching the wax ring. After replacing the wax ring and putting in the plastic shims, it still rocked a bit. Maybe it is this causing the leak? I know when it overflowed the other day there was water that appeared to come from UNDER the toilet. So I guess this should be a two-pronged investigation... check for a crack in the pipe as well as possibly changing the wax ring again? I'm hoping for the wax ring!