Condo Plumbing

[TimeBandit]

Any pros on here care to comment? 4th floor condo in 10 story building, built in 1971.

This is what the contractor found behind the wall of a shower during a remodel:

 

[zhandfull]

Not a plumber but that looks like it could be a shitty situation.

 

[NicPaus]

Looks like $$$$

 

[TimeBandit]

I'm shocked to see that is how the plumbing is connected. I thought that was a sunday patch rig at home depot.

Normal? It looks like the weight of the pipe is crushing the fitting.

It looks days away from the aforementioned "shitty situation".

The Condo mgmt is "calling the plumber" now, we shall see.

 

[EmpirE231]

Needs some flex seal

 

[NicPaus]

Cast iron. No hub band.

Looks like it's rusting out and the expansion from rust took out the no hub. That fitting fails and definitely a shitty situation.

 

[Mandelon]

The repair doesn't seem that difficult, but making sure the flow is stopped could be tricky. I wonder how many units dump into the vertical? Although it could be the venting side...

 

[NicPaus]

The other fitting below his chin is looking rough also. Whole building might be ready for a repipe.

 

[4Waters]

Looks like it's about to get shitty

 

[n2otoofast4u]

was the NH coupling removed when the wall was opened, or did the plumber take it off before he took the pic?

 

[zhandfull]

The repair doesn't seem that difficult, but making sure the flow is stopped could be tricky. I wonder how many units dump into the vertical? Although it could be the venting side...

I was wondering if it could be the venting side and the gasses have eaten away at it internally.

 

[TimeBandit]

was the NH coupling removed when the wall was opened, or did the plumber take it off before he took the pic?

No.

The remodel contractor had just removed the dry wall and called us over.

As mentioned by Nic above, it looks like expanding rust may have blown it up.

Or the weight of the pipe? 6 condos above this one must feed that pipe?

And it is supported or held together by hose clamps?? WTF

I don't know what exactly is flowing in that pipe... no word yet.

And the head of bldg maintenance was too quiet... like he has seen this before?

 

[Bobby V]

No.

The remodel contractor had just removed the dry wall and called us over.

As mentioned by Nic above, it looks like expanding rust may have blown it up.

Or the weight of the pipe? 6 condos above this one must feed that pipe?

And it is supported or held together by hose clamps?? WTF

I don't know what exactly is flowing in that pipe... no word yet.

When we would stack fire risers we would add long eared riser clamps at the floor slab at every level to help support the weight. Not sure if the plumbers were doing that in 1971.

 

[DirtyWhiteDog]

Cast iron in the 70's only had a working life of 50-60 years under the best conditions. E even if you replace everything in your unit, you have 7 floors of the same pipe above you.

 

[NicPaus]

Those clamps are no hub bands. That's normal. It's how cast iron is connected.

 

[rrrr]

When we would stack fire risers we would add long eared riser clamps at the floor slab at every level to help support the weight. Not sure if the plumbers were doing that in 1971.

Riser clamps have been in the plumbing code for over a hundred years. They obviously weren't installed on this project. I wonder how many other risers are in the process of failing.

 

[ChumpChange]

I don't know what exactly is flowing in that pipe... no word yet.

Drill a tiny hole into it and find out. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[500bbc]

Those clamps are no hub bands. That's normal. It's how cast iron is connected.

Old school was lead

 

[Bobby V]

Old school was lead

And hemp and oakum.

 

[Mandelon]

I did a lead and oakum repair one time. Fucking scary is what that was.

Just so you non remodeling guys know: The fully banded couples are for use in the walls, the rubber ones with hose clamps are for underground.

 

[wishiknew]

Maybe the roof drains ? Just sayn

 

[NicPaus]

I did a lead and oakum repair one time. Fucking scary is what that was.

Just so you non remodeling guys know: The fully banded couples are for use in the walls, the rubber ones with hose clamps are for underground.

These are similar to the ones my supply house carries. For connecting ABS to Clay sewer. The all rubber ones can get misaligned over time. When the dirt moves. More expensive than the rubber ones but they work great.

The no hubs have a distinctive band that looks like corrugated metal like in the first pic.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Maybe the roof drains ? Just sayn

I was just going to say the same from the looks of the debris in the pipe.

Get the sawzall out

 

[NicPaus]

I was just going to say the same from the looks of the debris in the pipe.

Get the sawzall out

Looks like mulch from leaves busting through. But what tree is 10 stories tall? Unless there is a roof top patio with plants.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Holy crap….Shitter’s full….Runl!!!

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Looks like mulch from leaves busting through. But what tree is 10 stories tall? Unless there is a roof top patio with plants.

Birds nesting

If it was sewer you'd think some people would be complaining about not being able to flush the toilet or shit coiming out of there shower drains.

And it being dry is suspect as well.. imo

 

[TimeBandit]

Maybe the roof drains ? Just sayn

I don't think so.

See the branch heading in from the left? this wall has bathrooms on this side and kitchens on the other. Methinks drains/sewer for those.

The pipe under his chin may be the vent as the "feeders" head uphill?