Well this building is a triplex, built in 1920. Cast iron piping that is a nightmare to get into. This is in the little downstairs unit that I'm cleaning up to re-rent.
Quite frankly I'm afraid to DO anything, and I definitely don't have the money to do it.
So here's the hot feed underneath the sink. As you can see, its rusted.
But a weird kind of red rust, almost like corrosion.
What causes this? As you can see it has traveled up and covered part of the shutoff valve, which I put on new a few years ago.
Also the pipe behind it is deformed. I'm afraid to start cranking on this, that I may end up with broken pipes and a spiraling disaster.
So what to do?
its sweating, but not dripping.
Just wrap it in Flex Tape, maybe, and not poke the bear?
Or try cutting into the wall and press my luck.
Why does the wall pipe look like that?
Can this burst open and flood the apartment, like this? Or am I overthinking.
?????
It looks like your shutoff valve had a slight leak. I would plan on replacing... well, just ready for the possibility that this could turn into a major plumbing job. Galvanized steel water pipes have a limited lifespan and you are already on the far side of it.
Before touching anything put together a worst case plan. "What happens if the pipe breaks off in the wall?" Are you able to isolate this one unit or do you have to turn off water to the whole building to work on the plumbing? This could turn into a bigger job, a first step might be installing shutoffs so you can isolate and work on this one unit and still keep the water on to the tenants.
With my rentals I largely replace any steel water pipes I encounter when work needs to be done. It can be a major time waster trying to get a watertight seal when screwing into 100 year old pipes so often I remove it and replace with PEX.
>>>So what does it look like on the other side of the wall?>>
There is an access panel on the other side of the wall. Its completely dry.
Despite the comments elsewhere by plumbers who are chanting "Rip it out and replace!" this looks like a situation where only a bonehead would rip everything out and replace, especially in a rental which is hardly making enough to cover the cost of maintenance and taxes to begin with.
I'm starting to think that there was simply a small leak at the joint, water has since beaded around the area and caused the rust.
If that's the case, cleaning off the rust or spraying it with rust neutralizer, and then possibly wrapping the area with flextape to stop the leak would do it.
There HAS to be a smarter way than opening up the wall and replacing the building's pipework.
Another idea is the infamous galvanic corrosion.... but why here when the rest of the building has the same galvanized pipes and chrome plated shutoff valves, and no rust?
For those who would throw $500-$1000 at everything that happens each month I'm here to tell you landlording is not the occupation you want to be in. Unless you're doing it as a moneypit hobby/public service and for the joy of dealing with tenants only.
"...cleaning off the rust or spraying it with rust neutralizer, and then possibly wrapping the area with flextape to stop the leak would do it." If that is your idea of a repair... have at it.
The problem you are looking for is not on so much on the outside of the pipe however. Steel pipes rust from the inside out. You won't know until you remove the rusted piping and see how the inside look. But, if you remove any of what is shown in your photo be prepared for the job to grow. It doesn't happen every time but it is something you have to be ready for. The piping in your photo has heavy corrosion and might not survive removal so you don't know how far back you may have to go to find good pipe to attach to.
Another idea is the infamous galvanic corrosion.... but why here when the rest of the building has the same galvanized pipes and chrome plated shutoff valves, and no rust?
Corrosion needs water/moisture. If the other fittings are not leaking then you usually don't see bad corrosion.
And, you are not the only landlord on the forum. I know how the economics work.
The building was built in the 1920s, both the galvanized steel water lines and the cast iron drains are beyond their useful life and need to be replaced. I wouldn't put to much time or money into a repair without just replacing.
Last edited by PJmax; 07-17-22 at 08:13 PM.
Reason: changed would to wouldn't
There is an access panel on the other side of the wall. Its completely dry.
The point being made is that with old infrastructure at some point sections will need to be replaced. What I was trying to understand is can the repair be made in a location other than the pictures you provided? For example, is there a tee or a coupling somewhere else that is in good shape that would survive being taken apart and start from there.
The last thing you want is a call in the middle of the night with a big water leak!
There is no leak yet but I do feel moisture at the green residue area. Should I be concern about this and have this replace?
[img]https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1124/20220715_121438_f4af22217b4d68d1490870399f785bcd0e74178e.jpg[/img]
[i]Main Water Line[/i]
[img]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1124/20220715_121447_bd6da60cba019a8aa4e34a812fbe43fc0293c1e6.jpg[/img]
[i]There is moisture at the green residue area but no leak.[/i]
Rough in plumbing was done yesterday detached garage with loft and I had to leave before he got started and came home to this install. Its for rough in for sink and toilet main level and, sink, toilet, shower in loft.
Im looking for some feedback on things that were done. Take a look at these photos and let me know if anything looks questionable.
Im no expert but is this layout standard practice?
The pex in the dirt with a slab to be poured on top it?
Shouldnt PEX be sleeved instead of just laying on dirt then bending it up through the eventual slab?
Wire tieing PVC to rebar?
Holes busted through the block and not sealed?
Heard him say he only had one long sweep...looks like the toilet has a short sweep?
The biggest thing that makes me question is before I left he asked" where is inspector coming from" and I told him and he said "good - i know those guys - now i know what i can get by with"
[img]https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/rough_in_layout_83d7b62d95b73dedd55bfe8e54a2fe7f83831f37.jpg[/img]
[img]https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/pex_through_block_then_into_dirt_8b6cdbaa039714237238284861299d8f2349fc90.jpg[/img]
[img]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/pex_buried_in_dirt_01ab04f06a46392c3e6955272320d6d87690f9a1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/pex_taped_and_bent_into_a_pvc_pipe_253c357c6f83546fd4358450f849ab260bcdd0e9.jpg[/img]
[img]https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/short_sweep_toilet_40c521e3388c3a62aae883e4e1fbf2e8aa4c1714.jpg[/img]
07-11-22, 10:54 AM
