Sewer backup into homes: This can lead to:.Cast iron is very heavy: This can lead to sinking in the ground and can cause cracking.Corrosion: This is almost always the first issue that will take place, often from the pipe’s interior that you can’t see.Common Issues with Cast Iron Damage Include: Over time, specific issues almost always pop up in homes built with cast iron plumbing systems. However, homeowners and builders have begun to realize that they aren’t as durable for an extended period, and better materials are available today. We preferred to use cast iron pipes for many years for their strength. This means that many homes built with original cast iron piping systems may be starting to have plumbing/drainage issues today. Some homeowners have even found that their cast iron begins to deteriorate after about 25-years. This means you may not even know you have a problem until you have a sewer backup.Īccording to InterNACHI, the life expectancy of Cast Iron Waste Pipes in Florida is about 40-60 years, but every situation can vary. The most common issue is that it deteriorates over time – often unseen from the pipe’s interior. Yes, cast iron is a durable and strong material, but it has some drawbacks. The majority of homes built before 1975 were constructed with cast iron pipes in the plumbing system, although we still installed it into the early 1980s in some places. Still, they are generally no longer installed in residential settings today. You’ll typically find iron pipes in older homes built during or before the 1970s (early 1980s in some places).īack then, builders favored cast iron pipes for the material’s durability, ability to handle water through them, and resist damage.

Sewer drainage, specifically DWV systems (Drain, Waste, and Vent), used cast iron pipes worldwide. Let’s talk about the advantages and disadvantages of cast iron plumbing! What is Cast Iron Plumbing? But depending on a few factors (particularly age), you need to be aware of a few things. If your home has cast iron plumbing, this is neither a good or bad thing. Plus, they’re easier to repair, which is why we consider them the gold standard today. Newer homes are typically built with PVC or ABS piping as it’s cheaper, lighter-weight, and less prone to corrosion. It is the old gold standard for drainpipes, and you can find them in many older homes’ systems. Cast iron plumbing has been around for decades, and we still manufacture it today.

Remove rust from cast iron pipe