I have a 2 inch cast iron pipe that is leaking at the cement line of a second floor condominium. The common line connects 3 stacked bathrooms.
My plan is to remove the concrete around the pipe that is leaking and if it is small and isolated using bondo to repair it, place an access panel where we cut the drywall in case we need to access that area again. Is using bondo to repair a 2 inch crack in cast iron a plausable repair?
If the crack is more extensive, my question relates to the best way to remove the 35 feet of cast iron piping. Should I open the ceiling in the garage; disconnect the plumbing on the first floor and slide the pipe through the open concrete; then cutting the concrete on the second floor disconnecting the second floor and sliding the pipe down to the garage and so on? Or as we slide the pipe down for second to first floor cut the pipe in small sections. And replacing the cast iron pipe, how would you proceed? Should I put a sleeve around the pipe that goes through the concrete? What material sleeve do you reccommend.
I can do the work with a friend, just need to know the logistics. Thank you.
Best Answer
Since this unit is one in a building of condos, an improvised DIY job is not acceptable; the job must be done right. I would assume that there is a collar that the pipe passes through, that is, the concrete is not adhering to the cast iron pipe. I would think that you must remove the broken section by making at least three cuts with an iron pipe cutter. Then insert a new section and connect with approved couplings.
Find out if you can use PVC or ABS plastic for the replacement section. The replacement section may have to be in two parts if the hole is tight. Really sounds like a professional job to me.