A number of years ago I had a plumber out who told me what type of waste stack this is, but I've since forgotten, and cannot find info online. He indicated that it should be replaced eventually (of course, that is any pipe, but you know what I mean). For reference, the home was built in 1952.
We are now working on our upstairs bathroom and have an opportunity to replace this stack because of open walls. What kind of stack is this, and would we run into any issues attempting to remove it or join new PVC into it? Is there an asbestos risk? The join and the texture may help with identifying the pipe…
There is also what I assume to be cast iron waste pipes joined into this stack. In the below image, the cast iron pipe goes from the toilet drain, to the sink, into the wall on the right where it meets with the mystery stack pipe.
We are rearranging the upstairs bathroom so will likely remove the old cast iron pipes (which you can see have leaked before) and replace with PVC, joined into either the existing mystery stack or a new PVC stack.
Edit:
Added photo of pipe defect/damage:
Best Answer
The black is Orangeburg pipe, a layered (tar-based?) pipe. I did not think it was allowed inside, I have only ever found it as vents not as drains inside , yes it should be replaced with plastic , it usually falls apart in ground but your’s looks to be in good shape, (that could be ready to fail) , yes replace it if doing any remodeling before it breaks. Tapping with a mallet can break it you will see when you start taking it apart. I have seen remnants inside but not in use I should say.