When replacing a used pipeline, the most difficult task is considered to be dismantling the cast iron pipe. Adding to the complexity of the work is the material used to connect the pipes. Previously, for reliable joining of pipes, they used cement mortar, sulfur or aluminum (see. Thus, the entire structure became almost monolithic. The cement composition is quite easy to remove, but sulfur and aluminum require maximum effort (see).
Sequence of work
Some may think that dismantling old communications can be done quickly and without problems. However, it is necessary to take into account that the riser passes through several apartments, which means that if it breaks, many people will suffer. Dismantling is a plumbing job of increased complexity. Some experience working with tools and equipment and compliance with safety precautions are required. Therefore, such responsible work must be entrusted to qualified specialists.
To completely eliminate possible emergency situations, it is necessary to perform the following manipulations:
- turning off the water flowing through the riser;
- disconnecting the hose that goes directly to the toilet;
- dismantling the toilet, for which you unscrew the mounting bolts;
- all unnecessary materials, equipment, household appliances and plumbing fixtures are removed from the room so that there are no unnecessary obstacles to dismantling;
- pipes located a little further from the riser are dismantled with a hammer;
- get rid of structures leading to the riser;
- A special cuff is installed on the socket of the tee, for which the old lubricants are removed in advance. If this is not done, then it is impossible to talk about high-quality installation of the new system.
Important! Inaccurate installation of the cuff can damage the tee. In such a situation, it will be necessary to replace a certain section of the riser, which will entail additional costs.
Dismantling Guide
Due to the fact that the sulfur used to connect sections of communications tends to harden, demolition will be difficult. So how can you understand what composition was used for fastening? To find out, you need to bring a blowtorch to the connection. An unpleasant odor and melting indicate the presence of sulfur.
Dismantling joints with a torch or blowtorch
To destroy a pipeline where there is a connection using sulfur, you will need a hammer, chisel, blowtorch or torch. Sulfur is a chemical element, so when heated it will begin to release harmful substances into the air. They are poisonous to humans and harm everything around them. Moreover, the heating process can last several hours. Therefore, you will need a gas mask and other protective equipment to prevent the fire of nearby equipment or furniture. You can use a protective screen made of a metal base or asbestos.
Detailed instructions on dismantling communications
Dismantling the system begins with the elimination of pipes located at a distance from the riser. For operational work, use a hammer and chisel. After all, cast iron itself is a rather fragile material, and accordingly, it is easily susceptible to mechanical destruction.
Important! To disassemble pipes, it is not recommended to use a hammer with a metal attachment. If you do not calculate the force of the impact, the hammer will fall inside the pipe, which can cause a large-scale blockage of the sewer system or close the lumen of the pipeline. A hammer with a polymer attachment is suitable for the job.
The pipe removal process includes several stages:
1. Work with a hammer is carried out until the cross in the riser becomes visible.
2. It is necessary to loosen the crosspiece. This procedure is easier to do when there is a small section of pipe remaining. However, some wizards do not leave extra in order to fully open the connection.
3. Wear all protective equipment and take precautions using protective screens. If two professionals are involved in dismantling, the work will take less effort and time. One specialist heats the sulfur, the second, at the same time, loosens the pipe, breaks off and removes the viscous sulfur.
4. The crosspiece can be easily removed from the riser when most of the sulfur has been removed.
Important! Care should be taken when removing pipe attached to a tee. Part of the pipe is cut off with a grinder. In this case, a fragment no more than 10 cm long should remain. Then this segment must be loosened and removed.
Possible problems
In order to efficiently dismantle a cast iron pipeline, it is necessary to cut off the pipe as much as possible to the section where the transition into the socket begins. This will simplify the docking of new equipment. You will definitely need a grinder. If it is not there, then use a regular hacksaw, however, the dismantling process will take a lot of time.
In some cases, when demolishing a sewer system, a lot of problems and setbacks arise. However, there is no need to despair. You can buy in specialized stores that will help connect cast iron structures and PVC pipes.
There are often various difficulties encountered when working with plastic pipes. To easily cut a piece of pipe, cut it halfway around the perimeter. Next, you need to act simply by pressing and a slight rotational movement, after which the pipe will burst.
Important! The cast iron structure can be quite strong, making it difficult to remove from the riser socket. To correct this situation, several cuts are made around the pipe every 2 cm. This helps to remove the pipe from the riser.
When it comes time to connect plastic and cast iron pipes, heating will be required. The cast iron connections are first cleaned of sulfur, then the system is allowed to cool slightly. The final stage can be considered the installation of a new pipeline. To avoid any problems in the future operation of the sewer system, you should purchase pipes made from modern materials. These include metal-plastic and plastic.
Sewage dismantling- a procedure necessary for replacing pipes in old apartments and houses. In most premises, cast iron pipes are dismantled and plastic counterparts are reinstalled in their place. In Soviet times, plumbing equipment was installed carefully, so disassembling it can take a lot of time and effort. To avoid unpleasant consequences that could result from incorrect dismantling of the sewerage system, contact professionals. Experienced plumbers from “5 Masters” will help you dismantle the old pipeline, reinstall the pipes, and provide related services. To receive a free consultation, as well as to call specialists, call us by phone or leave your contact information on the website so that we will call you back.
Why you should contact “5 Masters”:
- Experienced plumbers will dismantle the sewer system
- A professional tool will help you deal with sewer dismantling
faster - We work in all districts of Moscow, as well as the nearest Moscow region
- We have reasonable prices, discussed individually with each customer.
- “5 Masters” specialists work without prepayment
What is the difficulty of dismantling a cast iron sewer?
Not every experienced plumber will undertake the dismantling of a cast iron sewer system, since this work can take a lot of time and effort. The fact is that if pipes sealed with cement can somehow be disassembled, then the pipeline, filled with lead or sulfur for reliability, is a solid structure, which is almost impossible to disassemble without damaging the riser.
Since cast iron is a fragile material, the wiring around the apartment is usually dismantled using a hammer and chisel. However, in the area of the central riser it is not worth dismantling in this way. If the tee turns out to be damaged, the riser fragment will have to be replaced. And this process is even more labor-intensive. To dismantle a pipeline near a riser, a method of heating sewer pipes is often used so that the sulfur burns out or melts.
Sewage dismantling can last for a whole day or even longer. The complexity of the work depends on the material that was used by plumbers to fasten the pipes. In many cases, professional tools may be required to remove the pipeline. If you don’t know exactly how to dismantle a sewer, it’s better not to take on this task. “5 Masters” specialists will help you carefully dismantle the system, install a new pipeline, and connect the plumbing. The cost of services will depend on the complexity of dismantling. We will discuss the price with you individually.
Repairing a deteriorating sewer system. The technology of caulking depends on the method of connecting the joints (type of seal): cement ones are carefully broken with a hammer, heated with sulfur with a blowtorch. It is more difficult to disassemble than a recently assembled one, since over the years it rusts and the thickness of deposits increases. In any case, this is a labor-intensive process, cast iron, with all its advantages, it is a brittle material and breaks under the direct application of force.
It is most difficult to disconnect cast iron sewer pipes at the junctions of apartment wiring and public risers; without experience, these areas are best left to specialistsBeginning and sequence of repairs
The easiest way to dismantle it is to cut it with a grinder. But it is unacceptable for repairs with toilets involved. Some of the problems are eliminated if the embossing method is known in advance, but more often it is clarified during the process of disassembling the system. Before starting work, the water supply line must be turned off. In general, caulking of cast iron pipes takes place in the following sequence:
- Visual inspection of the sewer system and determining the degree of complexity of the work.
- Determination of the minting method by tapping the cork.
- Directly caulking of the bells.
- Cleaning the remaining area.
- Replacing a new section and hiding the seams of the joints.
How to avoid problems
A preventative measure is to periodically clean cast iron pipes from rust and limestone deposits.To properly disassemble a cast iron sewer, you should begin work with a visual inspection of the joints: cement seals are gray in color, sealed with sulfur are yellowish. In the case of intense lime deposits on the socket, the color will not be visible; you can try to determine it on a carefully executed chip. If this does not help, then the joint begins to be tapped with a rubber hammer in order to reduce the risk of splits. Further actions depend on whether the sewer pipe is wobbly, the immobility of the connections indicates sealing with sulfur, and the risk of damage increases.
Caulking a cast iron pipe
To hammer out a cement-lined sewer pipe, remove the seal using a special hammer. Strong impacts are unacceptable; the cement breaks off into small pieces. After this, the edge of the heel is looked for (a rope wrapped around the pipe to enhance the tightness) and an attempt is made to unwind it. There is no need to pull out the entire cable; it is enough to slightly free up the space and loosen the cast iron pipe entering the socket. It is most convenient to pull out the rope using a hook; if possible (free space), then a screwdriver is squeezed into the gap between the socket and the pipe. Only after the pipe begins to swing is it possible to pull the cast iron pipe out of the socket. To do this, it is pulled back in the transverse direction and scrolled in the end direction.
- pipes have grown together during operation;
- For sealing, they used sulfur rather than a heel with cement.
The remains are carefully chipped off with a chisel; it is important to avoid metal elements getting into the sewer. After this, the inside of the bell is cleaned and wiped dry with a rag.
It is more difficult to disassemble cast iron sewer pipes with a sulfur plug; heat treatment of the joint area is required - heating with a blowtorch to several hundred °C; the desired condition is determined visually (the pipe will turn red). In this case, the sealant burns through and the pipe becomes free. An important nuance: it is allowed to remove a cast-iron sewer pipe no earlier than 15 minutes after heating; it is impossible to loosen or impact the hot joints. As in the case of caulking pipes with a heel, impacts on the pipes are not allowed; a pipe that has become unusable is carefully unscrewed (without effort or pressure).
The same rules apply when replacing a toilet. It is recommended to disconnect the water supply, drain the tank as much as possible and. When fastened with studs or a nut connection, it is easier to replace the toilet bowl with your own hands: it is unscrewed, loosened and removed from the outlet pipe. It is almost impossible to remove a toilet bowl installed on cement mortar intact, in this case it simply breaks.
Advice: in order to avoid unpleasant odors from entering the apartment, and pieces of earthenware from entering the sewer system, it is recommended to plug the drain hole with a hoe.
Hitting the sewer pipe is strictly prohibited; it is the same as directly hitting cast iron with a sledgehammer. Therefore, the blows are applied to the neck, and then the toilet is broken into pieces. When the base is disconnected, water flows out of it; it is advisable to prepare rags and a bucket in advance to collect it. It is necessary to clean the edges of the cast iron drain pipe from pieces of earthenware. This is done using a chisel or screwdrivers; this stage is very critical (the pipe goes into the floor, and if it is damaged, problems arise). At particular risk are common risers with tees (c) and old toilets with cement-covered joints; in this case, it is better to entrust the caulking to specialists.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Dismantling sewer pipes can be a real problem if you are planning renovations in an apartment that was built back in the Soviet years.
At that time, as you know, there was no special choice of building and finishing materials. Instead of PVC pipes, cast iron pipes were used as sewer pipes.
They were bolted to the floor, and for greater reliability they were filled in place with sulfur, aluminum or cement. Thus, the structure was welded to the floor or wall almost tightly, so dismantling it would be quite problematic.
You will not be able to use the dismantled pipe in the future. In addition to quite severe wear, cast iron pipes are simply no longer relevant today; it is much easier to use PVC plastic pipes for repairs, which are lighter, more reliable, and easier to install.
And the old cast iron pipe, perhaps, can be handed over to one of the scrap metal collection points. For example, the Russian Metal company accepts used metal for further processing.
Many people think that dismantling is much simpler than the construction or installation of pipes. Breaking doesn't build, but in the case of an old cast iron sewer, you will definitely have to work hard to achieve the goal.
Let's take a closer look at the process of dismantling a cast iron pipe and its features.
How to dismantle a cast iron pipe?
If a pipe is “welded” to a wall or floor using sulfur or aluminum, it will be very, very difficult to destroy such a coating.
To get started, you must first turn off the water supply to the apartment. Then you need to free the bathroom from unnecessary items that you can damage during work. This includes the sink, washing machine, laundry basket, etc.
Next, you need to disconnect the flush tank from the water supply and dismantle the toilet itself. Problems may also arise here, since Soviet toilets were screwed to the floor conscientiously, in other words, tightly.
Try to unscrew the bolts that attach the toilet to the floor and remove it from its place. If you succeed, consider replacing the toilet halfway done.
Now comes the turn of the pipes themselves. Cast iron, as you know, is not particularly strong, so at some distance from the riser you can simply break the old pipe with a hammer. It is much more difficult to remove the remains of pipes from the old riser and clean them before installing new ones.
To dismantle pipes, you may need:
- A hammer with a rubber or plastic tip.
- Chisel
- Torch or blowtorch
- Mask
Quite a strange combination, isn't it? However, a gas mask is necessary to comply with safety precautions if the joints of sewer pipes in your bathroom are filled with sulfur.
The easiest way to remove sulfur is by heating it. However, when heated, the sulfur mass releases toxic substances into the air, which are extremely harmful for humans to inhale. That is why it is better to protect yourself with a gas mask in advance.
So, dismantling must begin at the point of greatest distance from the riser. Here, most craftsmen do not bother with the torch, but simply break the pipe with a hammer. This is much simpler, but can cause some complications.
Make sure that when broken, pieces of pipe do not fall into the sewer passage. They can cause serious clogs in the sewer system, which will be much more difficult to get rid of than getting rid of old pipes.
With a hammer, you can destroy the pipe up to the crosspiece inserted into the riser. Here the pipe connection is somewhat different and is filled with much more sulfur.
To free the pipe and cross from the layer of sulfur, you need to heat it. The impact of a burner or blowtorch can last for several hours, while harmful substances will be constantly released.
Before you start heating, isolate animals and household members, cover furniture or other furnishings located in the immediate vicinity of the riser, and put on a gas mask.
During the heating process, you can easily chip off pieces of sulfur until the pipe is sufficiently clean. Now, the crosspiece inserted into the riser must be loosened if possible and removed from the riser.
The dismantling of the old pipeline is carried out as much as possible. That is, all possible pipes are removed, and others are installed in their place.
Connecting a new PVC pipe to an old cast iron riser will require certain operating skills. Please note that you must clean the connection area as much as possible from the same sulfur and rust.
To make the job easier, use a special coupling that is specifically designed to connect cast iron pipe and PVC pipe.
If you still have questions, take a look at our construction forum and ask them there. Our experts will help you understand the intricacies of good construction and renovation.
Do you need to remove your sewer system? You can try to do it yourself, but you risk being left without the necessary amenities for a long time if something goes wrong. The best way out of this situation would be to call professional installers who specialize in this matter. For modern Moscow this is absolutely not a problem. One of such companies where you can find good specialists is “Network Service”.
Our company has been working in this direction for quite some time and over the years has already established itself as a team of good professionals. Depending on the specifics of the premises, there are two types of sewage systems: domestic and industrial. Both types of systems have their own characteristics, which means that both types will also differ. Of course, it is more difficult both to carry out and to remove.
Professional sewer removal
Our company will gladly and responsibly offer this service to you. We carry out removal and subsequent installation at the highest level. The general sewerage system consists of an external system and an internal one. Dismantling the internal sewerage system begins with removing the following parts:
- toilets and sinks
- sinks and shower trays
- drainage columns
All these elements are connected not only with the sewerage system, but also with the water supply. But there are also elements that relate exclusively to the sewer system - these are exits to the external sewer system. Traditionally, this is a preparatory stage for the installation of a new sewerage system, so all work must be carried out efficiently and as carefully as possible.
How to remove a sewer efficiently and accurately
If we are talking about removing an external sewer system, then the process begins with the dismantling of inspection wells. They are most often made of concrete, but if a well made of monolithic reinforced concrete has to be dismantled, installers will have to expend a large amount of effort and energy. As for the time spent on it, it depends on the complexity of the design and the amount of work.
The same can be said about the cost of dismantling - until specialists go to the site and assess the complexity of the work ahead and its volume, it is difficult to determine exactly how much it will cost the customer. We hasten to note that the removal of the system from the Network Service company can only please you with its prices - they are always affordable with us.
It is especially difficult to dismantle a sewerage system that consists of pipes made of cast iron or ceramics. Here you need to have not only theoretical knowledge of how best to carry out dismantling work, but also certain skills and work experience. The slightest mistake is enough to destroy not only your sewer system, but also your neighbor’s (if you live in a multi-story building).
We will help you dismantle the sewer system
In order not to worry about your sewage system, call specialists who will allow you to save not only time, but also nerves. Now they order quite often dismantling of the sewerage system into private houses, which are purchased and then remodeled. In this case, most likely, the cast iron pipes will be replaced with plastic ones, and this seems simple only at first glance.
Considering that removing a sewer system is a set of actions that is absolutely opposite to its installation, the sequence of work will be different. For example, during the dismantling process, toilets, washbasins and other plumbing fixtures in the house will be removed, and then the exits to the external sewer will be removed. Please note that during the dismantling process, wall coverings may be destroyed to some extent, so it is better to plan dismantling work on the eve of a major or at least cosmetic renovation.