{"id":3284,"date":"2019-09-25T16:06:26","date_gmt":"2019-09-25T16:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/server.trenchlessmarketing.com\/~inhouseplumbingc\/?p=3284"},"modified":"2019-09-25T16:06:26","modified_gmt":"2019-09-25T16:06:26","slug":"connecting-pvc-to-cast-iron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bigwesttemp.com\/inhouseplumbing\/connecting-pvc-to-cast-iron\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecting PVC to Cast Iron: Should You Do It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Connecting PVC to cast iron is no easy feat. And it\u2019s definitely not something I recommend the casual DIYer or homeowner do themselves.<\/p>\n

Although I understand there are a few reasons why someone might go to the internet to find out more information about connecting PVC to cast iron.<\/p>\n

So how do you do it, and is it a good idea?<\/p>\n

Why Connect PVC to Cast Iron?<\/h2>\n

Why would someone be interested in learning how to connect PVC to cast iron?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

f you\u2019re home was built before the mid-1980s, you most likely have a cast iron sewer system. And if you\u2019re adding a new kitchen or bathroom, you might be thinking about DIYing the plumbing. Since cast iron is no longer used for residential sewer systems, you need a way to connect new PVC pipe to your old cast iron system.<\/p>\n

Or you\u2019re thinking about repairing leaks in an older home\u2019s system to prolong the inevitable \u2014 replacing the entire system (which, btw, is our recommendation). Even if you aren\u2019t going to do this yourself, which again, I do not recommend, you might be interested in the process.<\/p>\n

What Can Go Wrong If You Do It Yourself<\/h2>\n

Let me first say, though, working with cast iron is very difficult. You need a special tool to cut the cast iron. Cast iron is also very heavy, so if you\u2019re cutting out a large portion, it could be difficult to handle by yourself.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a high likelihood you will run into the same problems we have when trying to repair cast iron sewer leaks. At this point in the game, most cast iron is so bad that\u00a0finding a viable piece to connect the PVC pipe is almost impossible<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And since most cast iron systems are underground, getting to the pipe or a usable piece of pipe might involve tunneling. And I would not recommend anyone DIY tunneling nor would I recommend hiring an\u00a0outside tunneling crew<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Also because sewer systems are built to use the power of gravity, if you don\u2019t get the right \u201cfall,\u201d your system will not work aka water and waste will not drain out of your system as it\u2019s supposed to do.<\/p>\n

How To Connect PVC to a Cast Iron Sewer Pipe<\/h2>\n

For our purposes here, I\u2019m going to assume you already know where you need to connect the new pipe to the old whether it be for a leak or for a remodel job.<\/p>\n

What you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n