How to deal with a sewage drain crack?

Question

I found out recently that my sewage line has a couple cracks and has some leakage coming out. The pipes are made out of iron can I fix these somehow. Can I use epoxy, tar, or weld them. If I have to replace them is pvc a good material? What do the newly built houses use?

Answer 1

I do this for a living.  It is an easy job if you follow my steps.  I assume you had the line TV'ed so that you know where the cracks are... now you need to expose the pipe fully (in the damaged area) and expose 3" below the pipe too.  If your crack is 6" long then expose 1 foot of the pipe.  Rent a chain style snapcutter from a rental yard ($20/day).  Go to a pipe/plumbing supply store and buy a 1 foot section of cast iron sewer pipe, and two rubber couplings with bandclamps.  (pipe $5, and couplings $5 each)  Now using the cutter, cut back from the crack 3" or so and then 3" past  the crack, and remove the 1 foot of damaged pipe.  Slide the couplers onto the new piece of pipe, and then fit this inline with the existing sewer pipe.  Make sure you use wood to block your joints (underneath your couplings) and then backfill.  

If you know where both repairs need to be make, and expose them first, you can rent the snapcutters for only one day, and fix all sections at the same time.  A key to this is to cut out enough pipe so that you can be sure you have removed all of the crack and are back to solid, non cracked pipe.

if you need more help, email me by using the yahoo answers contact.

A handy guy can make this repair easily and save about a 600 bucks doing it himself.

also, since you are doing this, consider putting in a clean out insead of making the repair... same amount of work, just uses different parts and then allows access to the line later for cleaning.  (you will buy a wye and standpipe instead of just straight pipe)

Answer 2

you can try to epoxy the pipe temporarily so you don't have sewage dripping out and sewer gases coming into the home . Pvc for replacement would be your best bet, you can replace them if you have the correct tools . you willneed a chain type snap cutter or even a  sawz all with cast iron cutting blades and two fernco couplings to make the repair .

Answer 3

I hope that patching is going to be only a temporary repairs. ABS Black plastic Pipe is used for sewage lines. Welding the repair is out of the question.