Cast Iron Pipes

Homes with black cast iron pipes, that run into the ground or through a basement floor require concern for the new home buyer.  These pipes have a life range of 50 – 60 years and cannot be visually inspected.  They generally work fine and then clog up and require very expensive repair.  When you see a home that has had a front yard dug up and new pipes install, this is almost always the result of cast iron pipes.  Ground water can cause these pipes to rust and fail.  The generally rust from the inside.  Simple test for home inspectors is to let the water in the house run for at least twenty minutes.  Gold Home Inspection always recommends these systems be camera inspected, either by a home inspector with a sewer line camera or by a professional plumber.

Homes that have cast iron pipes should be viewed has very risk for buyers. Repairs on these systems can run more than ten thousand dollars, Cast Iron Pipes will clug and just stop working.   What I view has the bad things about these pipes is the repair yields you nothing. If you send thousands on flooring, cabinets or other improvements you have something to enjoy and use daily.   For these reasons, Gold Home Inspection always recommends a camera inspection on Cast Iron pipes. Homes built before 1970 will frequently have cast iron pipes and using a sewer camera is the only method to know what the pipes condition is below the surface. Newer homes have plastic or PVC systems.

More information on Cast Iron Pipes can be found by clicking this link——>  CLICK

Cast Iron Pipes