Broken soil stack

[1vincent]

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/post237922.html#237922Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:11 pm Post subject: Broken soil stackhttp://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/ignore.php?mode=add&username=1vincent&topic=28249 [DLMURL="http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/posting.php?mode=quote&p=237922"][/URL] http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/posting.php?mode=editpost&p=237922[/DLMURL]
[URL="http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/report.php?p=237922"]Hello this is my 1st post so please be nice.
At the weekend i went to repaint my soil stack outside.
All was going ok till i got to the branch part where the pipe from the wc comes out of the house into the branch on the stack i noticed it was a bit wet. I was sanding it down ready for painting and there was bits of cement coming off the collar and then i saw that the collor had a crack in it and i think the branch is clay after scraping some paint off it.
The pipe from the floor to the branch is cast iron and the branch is clay and then from there to the top of the house it is cast again.
Pipe out of wall is also clay.
What i would like to know is how do i replace branch part without disturbing the rest or will i have to replace the whole lot from floor to top of the house?.
I will get some photo's later to show.
Thanks for any advice.
Vince[/url]

 

[WHPES]

The branch is asbestos so be very careful and do not create dust when handling it. The vertical section to the vent appears to be asbestos also. Are you sure that the bottom section of the soil stack is cast iron and not asbestos too?

It is usually easier to replace the entire stack anyway as modern soil stacks are quick to erect and the old cast iron is proabably in a fragile state.

As it is all asbestos you sould really leave it to a tradesman but if you do decide to do it yourself, then do not use a saw as this will release asbestos fibres.

Be careful when removing it as it is heavy. You have to remove it a section at the time and lower to the ground on a rope. Always follow recognised standards for falls, termination points, bird cowls etc when erecting a new one.

 

[1vincent]

Thanks.
As we have had a very cold winter do you think that it leaked and the frost has got to it and cracked it?. I think so. The white overflow pipe is not connected to the cistern as it now has an internal overflow.
This is my dad's house and he has now told me that he has insurance for plumbing and drainage with Homeserve. Do you think this will be covered by the policy as i have heard bad thing about people with Homeserve.
Vince

 

[WHPES]

It is quite possible that water has got into the spigot, frozen and caused the damage. It depends on how fresh looking the crack is.

Check your policy as if you aren't covered it would be cheaper to hire a local plumber to fix it.

 

[REDSAW]

another thing is those dual step ladders you are using.
they were banned in the 80's for being dangerous and prone to colapse.
be carefull//.

 

[1vincent]

My dad Homeserve come out today and look.
The bloke said that Homeserve will do the work and reclaimthe cost from his insurance company. He is paying Homeserve for plumbing and drainage insurance and has been for 5 years.
The bloke put some stuff over the cracks, i thing rapid cement and said that is all he is allowed to do.
If i was to replace the soil stack how best should i go about doig this?.
Can i get a like for like branch like the one in the photo the same angle and where is the best place to buy the materials from please.
Vince

 

[andyg0507]

as said in previous posts best to replace whole lot, it would be much easier in the long run, but if you intend doing this yourself( wich i dont recommend) be VERY carefull of the asbestos fibres.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Its hard to get rid of the asbestos aswell you cant just dump it in your next door nighbours bin , contact your local council for advice.

 

[WHPES]

You will have to chop out the branch as well. This will probably go inside where the WC is fastened so lift the WC off and store it carefully to be able to chisel out around the pipe and bricks to free the branch.

 

[1vincent]

Thank you for all the replies.

WHIPES said that i will have to chop out the branch that may go into the house. If you look at the photo's the clay pipe out of the wall is ok, it's the bit in the middle of the cast iron soil stack that's cracked,which i was tols by the Homeserve person was a clay bracnch with cement fibres over the collar joins.
He also said that there looked like a crack on the branch from the collar to the verticle part of the branch but was not sure.
If WIPES says i have i chop out the pipe from inside the house i will hace a big problem as i the wc is closed coupled and tiled around the cistern and pipe going out of the house and laminate flooring around the base of the pan so not very easy at all is it.
Can i just leave the pipe out of the house there and replace the rest in plastic as it is in the photo's which i think will be easeir.
Vince