just fixed my washing machine and did an empty load to check everything out.... went down stairs to outline a new board and as soon as the drain cycle kicked water started flowing..... my sewer pipes started spewing at the access cap and the 4in iron pipe blew a pinhole started flooding my workshop. I Turned off all the water, notified other tenants, and got ready for a messy late night... too much water for someone with just a shop vac and a couple 5 gallon buckets. Was hoping to release all the water pressure (3 story building). And go to town with my snake and drill.. I’m over carrying buckets outside. Luckily none of my materials or tools got wet. Anyone of us morons a plumber? I don’t think my snake is long enough and I don’t have a cutter head for it.....
I'm not a plumber. I do some plumbing work at my job but usually just for water or drain lines for HVAC or refrigeration equipment. Nothing like what you need. My advice is well informed but not expert advice. I'd get a professional in. You can "patch" iron pipe. But iv seen patched iron pipe fail in a big way. It'll possibly cause a bigger mess than you have now in the future. If you do try and fix it yourself. Don't patch it. Cut it out and replace the section of pipe.
Yeah I’m getting the pros in here..... It’s not my property I just live here and watch over the place... my landlord lives in PR so it’s hard to get a hold of him and he’d rather me take care of everyone than bother him.
That's good news. I had just assumed you owned the place. I can't tell you how many times I have wished I had a landlord since I bought
You can rent the correct snake from a rental yard in your area. If it's the main for the entire building and not just a single unit, a sewer and drain guy may be needed: sometimes the only way to access the clog is from one of the vent pipes on the roof if it can't be done from an easily accessed cleanout. The cracked pipe can be replaced fairly easily by cutting out the offending pipe and replacing it with a no hub band, a rubber sleeve with hose clamps on both ends. Slip it on over the cutout and tighten her down. Having a decent mechanical background makes these jobs not so intimidating.
Just make sure you wear nitrite gloves or latex, and, a face mask or surgical mask. Inhalation can be deadly......
Yeah I could rent one but I couldnt get one late last night. And I have to to work all day and I have 2 tenants above me who want water. Guy comes out and will get it done better and faster then I could’ve. I’ll probably replace that section of pipe myself It only spirts out the top of the pipe when it’s under pressure.
Yea replacing that section of pipe is easy. Follow la_piedras suggestion and it'll be a breeze. You'll get it done for way way cheaper then if you paid someone else. Although I'd ask. If it's only going to be a few bucks more then just have the pro do it since he'll be there anyway A friend of mine just bought a house awhile back. A few months later the living room ceiling came down. The waste line from the upstairs bathroom was "patched". Black mold and poop everywhere. Bad news.
