Life of sewage pipes under house?
#1
03-05-16, 02:43 PM
Life of sewage pipes under house?
My house (in Los Angeles) was built in the mid-50's. House has a concrete slab foundation. The exterior clay sewage pipes have all been replaced with ABS. I assume that there would be iron pipes under the house? How long can these pipes be expected to last before they start to corrode and have holes?
#4
03-05-16, 04:13 PM
You said that you "assumed" that they were cast iron. I don't know what they used in LA. in the 50s. Here in NY, that's exactly what they used & way before the 50s. They certainly lasted a long time.
#8
03-05-16, 08:18 PM
75 to 100 years according to this site. Pipes And Plumbing Lifespan | How Long Do Pipes Last | HouseLogic
#10
03-06-16, 12:39 PM
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Drain Pipes
I had cast iron pipes under a concrete basement floor. The pipes lasted 25 years before they started leaking. (House was built in 1967).
#11
03-06-16, 12:58 PM
No basement in my place. How would I know if they are leaking? Roots growing into them and causing a backup?
#12
03-06-16, 02:06 PM
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A camera inspection is the only way. In my area this would run approximately $300 -350.
Personally I would pay for the camera inspection. The old cast iron could be in the worse shape or actually shiny inside, it's a gamble and if it is in good shape you will never work on it except for tees and other fittings that are above grade.
Personally I would pay for the camera inspection. The old cast iron could be in the worse shape or actually shiny inside, it's a gamble and if it is in good shape you will never work on it except for tees and other fittings that are above grade.
#14
03-06-16, 02:28 PM
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There's no danger in waiting. If pipes are flowing well and it's rare you have a backup, I wouldn't do anything. If your showers are draining well, that's even more reason to not be concerned.
#15
03-07-16, 06:13 AM
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Pipes
No basement in my place
#16
03-07-16, 06:43 AM
I think some of it has to do with when the cast iron pipes were manufactured. Pipes manufactured in the in the early 1900s were probably a lot stronger than pipes manufactured in the 50s. Having worked & lived in places that were built in the 20s & before, I can tell you that the pipes lasted well over 80 years. I laugh when people say, 'I have an old house built in the 50s'. Being from NY, that's not old to me.
#19
03-08-16, 05:40 PM
Adding another opinion, I wouldn't worry about them. Until you start getting back-ups or wet spots, I would assume they are all good. Cast Iron often lasts a looong time. Older homes here in PA, most of the under-house piping is cast iron, then transitions to clay a few feet outside the foundation. The clay pipes tend to have way more issues than the under-house piping.
If you're worried, I'd start setting aside some money in case something happens... but I wouldn't worry about it!
-Mike
If you're worried, I'd start setting aside some money in case something happens... but I wouldn't worry about it!
-Mike
