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How to Replace Old Cast Iron Stack Pipe

If your have an older home, especially one built in the early 20th century, chances are the house has cast iron stack pipes, also known as drain pipes, instead of a modern material such as PVC. Cast iron pipes are highly susceptible to corrosion because of chronic annealing, which is the heating and slow cooling of pipes over time. As the pipes corrode, they begin to leak, which can cause serious damage to your home. Tree roots have also been known to grow into the cracks and block the stack pipes. Damaged sections of cast iron can be replaced with modern PVC.

Things You'll Need

  • Digging tools
  • Marker
  • Measuring tape
  • PVC pipe
  • Reciprocating saw
  • 2 Fernco rubber couplings
  • Nut driver or screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn off the main water supply to the home. The turnoff might be in a basement, crawl space or on the home's exterior. Turn on a faucet, such as the kitchen sink or an outside hose, to clear the water supply lines.

    • 2

      If the pipe is buried, excavate the ground to expose the pipe on all sides. Contact your utility company to ensure you don't damage buried utility lines. In some cases, the old cast iron pipes might be exposed in the basement of your home so digging would be unnecessary.

    • 3

      Inspect the pipe by hand to determine the sections of the pipe that need to be replaced. Feel for weak sections in the metal. In some cases, the damage will be obvious to the eye.

    • 4

      Mark the pipe with a pencil or marker on either side of the damaged area.

    • 5

      Measure the space between each mark to determine the size needed for the replacement pipe. The replacement pipe should be 1/4-inch shorter than this measurement to allow 1/8-inch at each end for a better fit with the couplings.

    • 6

      Cut through the pipe with a reciprocating saw at both marked sections; use a carbide blade with the saw to ensure it is strong enough to cut through the metal. Place a bucket under the pipe to catch any standing water left in the drain.

    • 7

      Slide a Fernco rubber coupling over each open end of the cast iron pipe. Push it back a few inches onto the pipe to allow enough room to add the new pipe.

    • 8

      Hold the new section of pipe in place and slide the couplings up so they cover the new and old sections of pipe equally.

    • 9

      Tighten the clamps on the bands evenly, using a nut driver or screwdriver. Ensure that all clamps are turned an equal number of times.

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