The home we live in was built in 1947 and still has some cast iron sewer drain pipe in the basement.  One of the pipes looks like it has a slow leak in just one spot.  How can I clean this up and plug it?

-Janet

Janet, the answer depends on where the damage is –it it’s a leak at the joint with another pipe or if there’s a hole in the line. To repair a hole in a cast iron pipe, you can try a good two part epoxy or simply large hose clamps and a piece of rubber. If it’s a leak at the joint of a cast iron pipe, then you’ll need a plumber to come in and repair as it may be a poured lead joint. If it’s at a threaded section of the pipe, taking apart and resealing the joint may work, but after 51 years the pipe is probably in very poor shape.

The best way of dealing with a leak, especially in a sewer drain pipe, is to replace the section that is damaged. The last thing you want is the damaged pipe to have a major failure (leak or break) at some future date and spill sewage all over your basement.

-Brian

Do you see epoxy lining emerging as the preferred choice for pipe rehabilitation for apartments, condos and commercial buildings?

-Tejas

Tejas, epoxy pipe lining can be the perfect solution for pipe problems in apartments, condos, and commercial buildings. It’s gaining popularity as an effective alternative to the more traditional repipe because it’s safer for drinking water than unlined metal or cement pipes; is often less messy, costly, and time-consuming; and eliminates the corrosion that leads to blocked or leaky pipes.

-Brian

In the municipal market, can epoxy lining only be used for wastewater, or can it be applied to drinking water pipes as well?

-Tejas

Tejas, epoxy lining can certainly be used in both types of pipes. For example, CuraFlo’s sister company, RLS Solutions, offers coatings for restoring and rehabilitating water mains (drinking water delivery), as well as deteriorated wastewater infrastructure.

-Brian

I have a small leak coming from my shower. It is behind the one handle that controls temp. I took off the handle and all the caulk around it, and it looks like there might be a small crack in the plastic. Can I just put epoxy or something else on it? I don’t want to take the ceramic tile off to replace it.

-Jan

Jan, if there is a crack in a part of the fixture, especially in a part that’s plastic, you should replace at least that part. Repairing the part might work, but plastics can be difficult to repair and the potential damage the leak may cause if it reopens may not be worth it. The epoxy we use is only for lining pipes, but there are other epoxies and compounds that can be used in plastic repairs. I would contact the store where you bought it, or the manufacturer, to see if a replacement part is available.

-Brian

Sometimes after the water has been run once for a bath, if the water is ran again shortly after it comes out with a yellow tint. Does this indicate there is something wrond with my pipes or maybe my hot water heater?

-Jay

Jay, When the flow of water coming into your bathtub is shut off, it becomes stagnant and comes into contact with tuberculation in the pipes. Tuberculation is the buildup of deposit (scale or rust for example) in a pipe -possibly from corrosion. It can cause water discoloration and even low water pressure if builds up too much. Having someone clean out the pipe will take care of the discoloration and epoxy lining it will prevent it from happening in the future.

-Brian

When I turn an outside faucet on, I hear a loud clanking sound. This noise is particularly loud to someone inside the house. Someone suggested that it could be air in the water line. What do you think might be the problem?

- Brenda

Brenda, this is probably due to some piping that is not adequately supported. With the water moving through the pipe it is creating some inertia which is causing the pipes to move and bang against the structure of your home. You’ll need to find the source of the noise, cut the wall and repair the problem by securing it with approved clamps.

-Brian

Help! I have a medium sized seashell stuck in the drain pipe of my host’s shower. What can I do to get it out or dissolve it?

-Rosana

Rosana, dissolving a seashell takes a powerful acid, such as hydrocloric acid (HCL), which can damage (and even eat through) the pipe metal. If it can’t be pulled out then it may have to be broken apart. The bottom line is that you don’t want to make this worse, I would recommend telling your host about the seashell and maybe offering to help him/her remove it or help pay for a plumber to come out.

-Brian

I have a 12 year old home and I got a tiny pin hole leak in the copper pipe not at a connection. After getting it fixed, 3 days later a got another tiny pin leak inches of way. What could cause this and should i worry about the entire line?

- Jason

Jason, a single pinhole leak can be a fluke, but if you have more than one there’s a good chance that you have a systemic problem. A pinhole leak is the final breakthrough in an area of the pipe’s wall that has been affected by pitting –a form of corrosion. Replacing the section of pipe or the whole system will turn back the clock, but won’t stop the pitting and leaks from happening again or in different spots. You may be able to have your current pipes epoxy lined which would restore them to like-new condition and prevent water from coming into direct contact with the pipe wall. Click here for more information about copper pipe leaks or pinhole leaks. For more information about epoxy pipe lining click here.

-Brian

I have a slab leak - the side of my garage is seeping water through the outside of the garage - per the last plumber - it is a drainage line break at the 90 that supports the upstairs bathroom.  They are talking about excavating under the foundation and repairing - can we sleeve instead.  We can see the pipe through the sheet-rock in the garage…
Please tell me what to do - estimate came in at $3,000.

-Angelica

Angelica, a pipe sleeve is used to protect a pipe from the material it’s passing through (e.g. a wall or concrete), what you’re referring to is called sock lining, and it may be a solution to your problem. I would suggest that you contact a plumbing company in your area that has sock lining technologies to get an estimate.

-Brian

I have a 4″ clay pipe which is a downspout drain and is leaking.  The pipe runs under an addition to the house.  There isn’t sufficient space under the addition to access the pipe at all.  Any ideas of how I can pull a liner or flexible pipe through the 4″ clay pipe (which also bends slightly?)  Currently, run off from the downspout runs under the house and there is no other place to go with the drainage.

-Bill

Bill, there are firms that specialize in lining failing pipes, but I’m not aware of any liners that you can use yourself. I would suggest that you contact a plumbing company in your area that has sock lining technologies. You may require access from one or both ends depending upon which sock lining technology is used.

-Brian