Replacing Old Cast Iron Piping

Your home may have cast iron piping that is corroded and outdated, especially if you live in a building that was built before 2000. Take a look at the plumbing if you’re having trouble, because any home older than twenty or thirty years will definitely need to have their old cast iron piping replaced. Here is everything you need to know and how you can tell it is time for new piping.

Signs Your Cast Iron Piping Needs Updating

Sometimes, depending on the condition, you might not need to swap out your cast iron piping for PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or other options. After all, cast iron piping can last for up to 80-100 years, depending on the water. Always have a professional plumber inspect the home before making your decision. A professional plumber can give you definite information about the piping’s performance.

Here are some things to keep an eye out for:

1. Leaks

One of the most frequent signs that cast iron piping needs updating would be leaks, because this happens when the pipes have been damaged or corroded.

2. Discoloration

When running your water, do you occasionally see brown or yellow colored water? If you live in a suburban or urban area, discolored water is often a sign of corrosion, rust, and vulnerability. If you see discoloration, you need replacement pipes.

3. Slow draining

If you often experience slow draining or backups, it may be indicating a problem with the cast iron pipes. Don’t use any cleaning products that contains sulfuric acid, as this can damage the pipes and make matters worse.

4. Odor

If you smell sewer gas or other noxious fumes, don’t rule out a crack in the cast iron pipes. Call a plumber to have them investigate.

5. Mold

Cracked and corroded cast iron piping creates the perfect environment for mold to grow in the basement.

6. Puddles

Finding puddles is most definitely a sign of corroded pipes. 99% of time, the leak is stemming right from the pipe it is under.

7. Cracks

While cracks may certainly form in the pipes, cracks in the foundation of your home may also be a sign of an undetected plumbing problem. Spotting cracks around the base of your residence, along with other signs of piping problems, shouldn’t be ignored.

Replacing Cast Iron Piping

Whether you are looking to modernize your home with new cast iron or want to swap to PVC, replacing old cast iron plumbing is actually quite simple. Have a professional plumber either add new branches and section as needed or use stainless steel no-hub clamps that help form leak-proof connections between cast iron piping and PVC ones. Unless you spot a problem, like corrosion, there’s no need for a complete overhaul.

If you have spotted signs of corroded cast iron piping in your home, you shouldn’t wait to replace the worn down pieces immediately. Cast iron piping is built to last a lifetime, but sometimes it can erode and age rapidly depending on the conditions of the soil and the water running through. Be sure to have your pipes inspected regularly to tackle any issues before they become a much larger problem.

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Whether there’s a soft whistling or an ear-piercing shriek coming from the toilet as it refills, the sound can certainly cause alarm. Indeed, the sound means that there’s a problem that needs repair. Here’s the reason why the toilet whistles after flushing and how to correct it:

 

The Cause of the Whistling Toilet

The toilet whistling is associated with the toilet fill valve. The fill valve has a float that rises and falls with the water level, regulating the water entering the tank after a flush. When the float drops low, the valve opens to let the tank refill. Once the water reaches the ideal level, the valve shuts tightly, preventing water from overflowing the tank.

 

However, as fill valves age, the bits and pieces holding it together will start to deteriorate, resulting in the whistling or hissing sound. If the toilet has a metal ballcock valve, the vibrates caused by wear and tear or a faulty gasket can also be to blame. Whistling is usually the beginning of the problem. The louder the noise gets, the closer the fill valve is getting to complete failure.

 

When that happens, you might have a flood to contend with.

 

How to Fix a Whistling Toilet

Fixing the noisy problem can be done by either replacing the gasket in the fill value or replacing the whole valve. Since most modern valves are made out of plastic, replacement doesn’t come with an outrageous price tag. Installation, too, is simple—unscrew the valve from the tank, replace it with the new one, and ta-da, the problem is solved!

 

Don’t Ignore the Problem

You might have put off repairing the whistling toilet, but you shouldn’t. The noise is annoying enough, but if the fill valve isn’t fixed, you’ll be using more water than necessary. In short, you’ll suffer from higher utility bills.

 

Now that you know why the toilet whistles after flushing, you can fix the problem. Because replacing a whistling fill valve isn’t particularly difficult, it is one of the jobs you can do without relying on a professional plumber. However, like all matters of plumbing, if you’re unsure about how to repair or replace the gasket, it is best to call a trustworthy plumber to help.

 

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