Cast iron pipes were once a popular construction material in Florida. These pipes, while durable, do fail over time, and succumb to leaks, corrosion, and calcification. Today, alternative pipe materials such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PE (Polyethylene) are preferred for their longer lifespans and reliability.
Damaged or broken cast iron sewer pipes can be quite messy if neglected. That said, you want to deal with such problems in the early stages. Plumbing & Cooling Nerds provides customers in Southwest Florida with multiple options. Our highly trained plumbers will examine your symptoms and inspect your plumbing to determine the right solution.
Our condo had a major waterline break yesterday and two Plumbing Nerds came out to repair it. Doug and Eric worked very hard to fix it in a timely manner sometimes working in a pouring rain. These two were very polite and professional letting us know what to expect. I highly recommend Plumbing Nerds. - Jonnie M.
Identifying a Damaged or Broken Cast Iron Sewer Pipe
Symptoms of a compromised main drain can be less apparent than sewage in your home.
Contact Plumbing & Cooling Nerds for cast iron drainpipe repair or replacement if you notice any of the following:
Decreased water pressure or flow
Damp or wet spots inside your home
Persistently clogged drains
Corrosion, broken pipes, or visible cracks
Flowing or dripping water near drainpipes
Grass mysteriously green in a section of your lawn
How We Inspect Cast Iron Pipes
When inspecting cast iron pipes, we insert a high-definition camera into the sewer line. The camera is connected to a fiber optic scope and inserted into the sewer line through a small hole, making it possible to see along the inside of the pipe. The scope is flexible enough to navigate around corners and curves to reach any problem areas without accidentally jarring a fragile pipe or disrupting leaks caused by corrosion. If the problem is severe enough, we might have to unearth the pipe or pipes and excavate them.
Cast Iron Pipe Warning!
Did you know that homes in Florida built before 1969 have cast iron pipes that can wreak havoc when it comes to your plumbing? Cast iron was the standard for residential plumbing systems long ago, but over time it definitely needs to be replaced. The main problem with cast iron is that over time, it will start to develop cracks that can’t really be patched. It can turn into a “black water” issue where these breaks in the pipes start to accumulate a lot of sewage and bacteria — no fun!
If your home was built before 1969, give us a call! Our expert plumbers will investigate their condition and give you our expert opinion on any recommended action.
What Is Cast Iron Pipe Descaling?
If your cast iron pipes clog due to scale build-up, our experts provide pipe descaling services to prolong the lifespan of your pipes. Pipe descaling utilizes a specialized machine with a high-speed rotating cable to break down and scrape away any build-up inside your pipes. The cleaning can disintegrate the interior build-up and restore full use of your pipe if it is in good condition. Descaling your cast iron sewer pipe can also come in handy before pipe relining to clean out the pipe and remove any debris before relining installation.
Have you experienced a strange odor in your house, or found a leak in your main drain pipe? It could be a problem with your cast iron sewer pipes. Contact Plumbing & Cooling Nerds today for cast iron sewer pipe inspection, repair, replacement, and descaling in Southwest Florida. Call (239) 215-3330 to schedule service!
