How to disassemble a cast iron sewer pipe. How to dismantle a cast iron sewer pipe from a riser. How to dismantle sewer pipes: technical nuances of dismantling. Installation of sewer pipes in the apartment. Other dismantling methods

When overhauling a bathroom, one of the mandatory steps is the replacement of utilities. This process precedes the dismantling of the sewage system left after the construction of the house. In modern homes, this is quite easy to do. But in the apartments of the old fund, you will have to work hard. Sewer pipes in them, as a rule, are made of cast iron, and sealed to last. How to remove them without disrupting the drainage system throughout the house - you can learn about this from this material.

The standard sewerage system in Soviet-built houses consists of the following elements:

the main riser passing between the floors;
shaped outlet (cross or tee) for connecting the riser to the main line inside the apartment;
internal wiring.

The main riser is not a solid pipe, but a set of cast-iron sections, the length of each of which is equal to the height of the ceiling in the apartment. All of these sections are butted together. At the upper end, each has a socket into which the straight lower end of the shaped outlet is inserted. The latter is connected in the same way to the next section. All joints are securely sealed with either sulfur, or carbolic acid, or cement mortar.

Important! When dismantling the pipeline, the main difficulty is not to damage the socket of the section located below. It will remain in operation after replacing the riser section, so no cracks or chips should form in it.

The easiest way to dismantle

The ideal option for replacing sewer pipes is to negotiate with neighbors in the riser and replace the pipeline in several, if not all, apartments at once. In this case, there will simply be no difficulties with how to dismantle the cast-iron sewer. The riser can be sawn into pieces or, in extreme cases, gouged with a sledgehammer, without worrying about its safety.

Another good option is when the upstairs neighbors don't mind unblocking a hole in the floor between your apartments and working on their bathroom. In this scenario, you can remove the entire cast iron section up to the tee located on the floor above. But alas, it is not always possible to implement these options. Further, an action plan is proposed in the most complex version - when the work site is limited to only one apartment.

We advise you to find out what breakdowns can occur with and how to fix them yourself.

Read: what are the benefits for bathrooms.

Stages of sewerage analysis

Dismantling the sewer system in the apartment includes the following steps:

preparatory work;
removal of wiring inside the apartment;
dismantling of the sewer riser;
removal of fan outlet.

The last stage is the most responsible. But, as experienced plumbers say, the main thing during it is to act confidently and be patient. It will take a long time to carefully remove the tee/cross from the bottom section socket. The process usually takes 4-5 hours depending on what methods of sealing the pipes were used by the home builders.

What do you need to work

Before proceeding with dismantling, stock up on the necessary tools and overalls. As with any construction work, it is best to choose a robe that you will not be sorry to throw away after the process is completed. In addition, you should take care of personal protective equipment:

gloves: rubber and fabric;
goggles;
a good breath filter or gas mask.

From the tools you will need:

grinder saw with a set of discs for metal;
chisel or thick screwdriver;
sledgehammer or heavy hammer;
crowbar / nail puller / puller;
thin strong screwdriver;
chisel;
blowtorch or powerful building hair dryer.

These things will come in handy in any case. But besides this set, other tools may be required. This will depend on the progress of the work.

Tip: you do not need to start dismantling the sewer system alone. Be sure to find yourself an assistant for this event.

Preparatory stage

Before you start dismantling the cast-iron sewer with your own hands, you need to do a little preparation. Turn off the water in the apartment and disconnect all plumbing in the house from the drain pipe. Clear the area around the riser and intra-apartment wiring. In some houses, drainage pipes are recessed into the floor screed or hidden in niches in the wall. If this is the case, then you will have to work with a puncher to ensure free access to them.

Next, turn off the water throughout the riser. It would also be useful to warn all neighbors from the upper floors that plumbing work is being carried out in the apartment, and they should not use the sewer yet. Remove furniture, textiles and household appliances from the bathroom. If the water pipes in the apartment have already been replaced, you need to close them with a shield made of heat-resistant material so as not to damage them in the process. After that, you can start the main work.

We disassemble the internal wiring

This step usually takes the least time. It makes no sense to keep the pipeline inside the apartment intact, so it does not need to be disassembled. It is enough just to cut off the outlet leading to the bath, sink and other plumbing with a grinder, and then saw or split it into smaller pieces and take it out of the apartment.

Attention! The first cut should be made as close as possible to the outlet socket.

We dismantle the riser

Dismantling the riser must be carried out with extreme caution. First of all, you need to make a couple of horizontal cuts in the upper part of the pipe, at a distance of 10–15 cm from the ceiling. It is not necessary to cut the pipe completely, it is better to leave a 3–5 cm section intact. Then carefully knock out the ring that has turned out between the cuts with a sledgehammer.

Important! After this operation, it is worth plugging the rest of the pipe sticking out of the ceiling with rags and plastic wrap.

Next, the section is sawn from below at a distance of about half a meter from the tee / cross. After that, remove the clamps with which the pipe is attached to the wall. Then the section is chipped off along the saw line, removed from its place and removed from the room.

Analysis of the tee

The procedure for dismantling the tee / cross will depend on how its joint with the lower section of the sewer pipe is sealed. If cement is used as a sealant, the fan outlet is carefully loosened with a crowbar. In the process, you can try to break off and remove small pieces of cement putty with a narrow screwdriver. If the layer of cement is very thick, it is knocked down with a hammer and chisel. After removing the bulk of the putty, the cross is carefully removed from the socket.

Important! When chipping cement, you need to try so that its pieces do not fall down the riser.

If the tee is sealed with sulfur, to remove it, it is necessary to heat it for a long time with a blowtorch or a hair dryer. During the heating process, the sulfur putty will melt. The branch must be constantly loosened a little to speed up the melting process. As soon as possible, it is removed from the socket.

Attention! This procedure is accompanied by a very unpleasant odor. It is recommended to carry it out in a gas mask.

If the fan branch does not lend itself to any manipulation, it is simply cut off by a grinder at a distance of 5–6 cm from the lower socket. The rest of the riser is then cleaned, and new pipes are attached to it using special adapters.

Reading 7 min.

Most of the old houses have sewer networks made of cast-iron, sometimes steel pipes. Over time, they become unusable, rust and leak. From these leaks in the apartment there is an unpleasant smell. At an opportunity, residents change them to metal-plastic or plastic materials. Previously, pipes were connected using cement mortar, twine, sulfur, cabels. The old pipeline is difficult to dismantle. To do this, you need to have a great desire, tools and patience.

Dismantling of old cast iron sewer pipes

General progress

To decide how to disconnect the cast-iron sewer pipes, you need to carefully examine them and draw up a small work plan. If you have to completely replace the pipes, you can simply break the old ones with a hammer and take out the trash. This is easy to do, because cast iron is very brittle. If you need to disassemble and replace only part of the pipes, you will have to work carefully and slowly. It is necessary to turn off the water supply to the apartment, otherwise the drains will enter the sewer. The following work is carried out in several stages:

part of the riser below the connection is cut off by a grinder;
the cut piece is separated from the socket;
if it is not possible to pull out a piece, you need to warm up the joint.

Working with cast iron is traumatic, so it is necessary to use personal protective equipment: mittens or gloves, goggles, special clothing.

Tools needed to remove pipes

To remove old pipes, you need to prepare some tools and materials. Regardless of the pipe connection methods, you will need:

grinder for cutting out individual elements of the pipeline;
cutting and grinding discs;
gas burner or blowtorch for heating joints;
hammer and screwdrivers;
chisel;
pipe wrench;
respirator and goggles for disassembling sulfur-filled joints;
perforator;
pipe cutter;
nail puller;
steel wedge or chisel;
pliers;
bucket for water.

After their preparation, you can begin to dismantle the system.

How to dismantle a cast iron sewer

When the sewer system fails, it needs to be repaired or replaced. In this case, it is necessary to caulk the joints. Without this, it is impossible to dismantle the system or part of it. The technology of chasing is used in each case is different. It depends on the materials with which the joints were sealed. Previously used as a seal:

cement;
hot sulfur.

The old sewer is more difficult to disassemble. Over the years, rust and deposits appear at the joints. Without work experience, it is better to entrust this matter to specialists. If you decide to do the work yourself, you need to determine the degree of its complexity. To do this, the joints are tapped with a hammer with a rubber or wooden tip and the method of their sealing is determined. Cement is colored gray, sulfur is yellow. They are trying to break the pipe. If this can be done, the seam is made using a cement mixture. If not, the seam is made in gray.

Dismantling of pipes connected with cement and cable

Cast iron is a durable material. Therefore, sewer risers were built from it in multi-storey buildings. It serves for decades, it is good to paint it. But durability is a disadvantage when dismantled. It is better to use discs for the grinder with a size of 230 mm. You may need a hacksaw with a few spare blades. Work order:

To begin with, you should block the access of water to the apartment and agree with the neighbors that they also do not use water for some time.
Free up the workplace and disconnect the drain pipes.
Particular attention is paid to the toilet. Previously, it was connected with a cast-iron pipe using cement mortar. It is unlikely that such a toilet will be removed, it will have to be broken.

Start chasing with a hammer and chisel. The riser pipe must be cut in several places. They retreat 2-4 cm from the lower socket and make an incision with a grinder. It will not be possible to completely cut the pipe, so you can use a hacksaw. Attempting to chip off an uncut section runs the risk of chipping off part of the bell, and this should not be done. A cut is also made from above, then a piece of pipe is removed.

The hardened cement mortar is removed with a hammer and chisel in small pieces. The work is carried out with care in order to keep the lower socket intact. If a cable was used during the installation of the riser, you need to get it with pliers and clear the place of cement.

At the bottom of the riser is a cross. It is removed with a hammer and screwdriver. It is necessary to knock on the body of the cross with a hammer for some time and try to loosen it. After that, the tool is inserted into the resulting opening, the tee is hooked and removed.

Chasing pipes connected with sulfur

Recognizing the presence of sulfur in the seam is simple. It is necessary to bring the flame of a blowtorch or gas burner and heat the seam. If there is sulfur in it, it will start to melt and emit unpleasant odors. Work is recommended to start from the far corner. The cross, connected to the riser, is heated with a blowtorch and loosened. It is more convenient to work together. One person warms up the seam, the other shakes the structure. Don't forget to wear protective gloves.

After loosening the structural element and melting the substance, it is necessary to pull the cast-iron pipe out of the socket and clean the place of sulfur residues. After completing all the work, allow the pipe to cool. When performing work, you must use a respirator or gas mask so as not to breathe sulfur fumes. Special work clothes should also be used. Compliance with safety regulations when working with open fire is mandatory. Then any branch pipe is removed without any problems.

How to cut a cast iron sewer pipe

To work with the riser, you need to mark it. Marks are made at a distance of about a meter from the floor and 10 cm from the ceiling. In these places, you need to cut the riser pipe. First, an incision is made with a grinder. It is not necessary to cut to the end, it is better to leave a gap, which then breaks. With the help of a stepladder, they climb up and make an incision there. It is better to make cuts at some angle to each other. The dropped wedge is removed, the remaining jumper is broken with hammer and chisel blows. At the same time, one person supports the pipe so that it does not fall.

After removing the main part of the riser, the remainder is removed from the socket. If it does not lend itself, you need to make several longitudinal cuts and loosen the piece. He will get away with no problem. If you can’t cut the structure yourself, you will have to invite specialists.

What to do in case of unsuccessful dismantling

It is better to cut cast-iron pipes with a grinder. Working with a hacksaw takes a lot of time and effort. If the dismantling was unsuccessful, do not be upset. It is possible to connect plastic and cast iron pipes with a special adapter. If the riser is close to the wall, it will not be possible to cut it with a grinder to the end. Then the incision is made to half the diameter. The pipe must be given a rotational motion so that it bursts. If the residue is not removed from the lower socket, it is necessary to make longitudinal cuts in it.

After removing the old pipes, the places in the sockets are cleaned of the remnants of cement, sulfur or kabolka. After thermal exposure, you need to give the pipes time to cool. It is better to close the hole in the riser with a rag so that debris does not fall into it. The rag is tied to something so that it does not fall down. The cable is removed with a screwdriver or a wire hook. You can pull its end with pliers and unwind the old sealing winding.

Sulfur is removed by heating up to several hundred degrees. Visually, this is determined by the redness of the cast iron and the appearance of a suffocating smell. In this case, it is necessary to use protective equipment: a gas mask or a respirator, gloves or mittens, work clothes. The pipe is clamped with keys of the appropriate size and swung.

If it is not possible to immediately determine the method of connecting the sewer elements, you just need to break off a small piece of putty with a screwdriver and a hammer and set it on fire. Sulfur will burn with a steady flame and will begin to emit a characteristic odor. When burning out old sulfur from the seams, fire safety rules must be observed. Fire hazardous objects must be taken out of the room or covered with screens made of metal sheets or asbestos.

If the sewer is simply clogged, it is not necessary to change the pipes. Enough to clean the system. This is done with a rubber plunger. If it does not help, you need to try to pull the cork out of the garbage into the sink. If this does not help, the sink siphon is disassembled, hardened accumulations of dirt are removed from it. You can use cleaning solutions. They are poured into the sink and left for a few minutes. After that, the residues are washed off with hot water.

Repair of a broken sewer system. The caulking technology depends on the method of joining the joints (type of filling): cement ones are carefully broken with a hammer, gray is heated with a blowtorch. all its virtues, refers to brittle materials and breaks under the direct application of force.

The most difficult thing is to disconnect cast-iron sewer pipes at the junctions of apartment wiring and common house risers; without work experience, these sections are best entrusted to specialists

Start and sequence of repairs

The easiest way to dismantle is to cut it with a grinder. But it is unacceptable for repairs involving the toilet bowl. Some of the problems are eliminated if the method of chasing is known in advance, but more often it is found out during the disassembly of the system. Before starting work, the water supply line must be turned off. In general, the chasing of cast-iron pipes takes place in the following sequence:

Visual inspection of the sewer and clarification of the degree of complexity of the work.
Determination of the minting method by tapping the cork.
Directly chasing bells.
Cleaning up the remaining area.
Replacing a new section and hiding the seams of the joints.

How to avoid problems

A preventive measure is the periodic cleaning of cast-iron pipes from rust and limestone deposits.

To properly disassemble the cast-iron sewer, you should start with a visual inspection of the joints: cement seals are gray, soldered with sulfur - yellowish. In the case of intense lime deposits on the socket, the color will not be visible, you can try to determine it on a neatly made chip. If this does not help, then the joint begins to be tapped with a hammer, in order to reduce the risk of splits - with a rubber one. Further actions depend on whether the sewer pipe is loose, the immobility of the connections indicates sealing with sulfur, the risk of damage increases.

Chasing a cast iron pipe

To chisel a cement-coated sewer pipe, remove the seal with a special hammer. Strong blows are unacceptable, the cement is chipped in small pieces. After that, the edge of the cable is searched (a rope wrapped around the pipe to enhance tightness) and an attempt is made to unwind it. There is no need to pull out the entire cable, it is enough to slightly free up space and loosen the cast-iron pipe entering the socket. It is most convenient to pull out the rope with a hook, if there is an opportunity (free space), then a screwdriver is squeezed into the gap between the socket and the pipe. Only after the pipe begins to sway is it allowed to pull the cast-iron pipe out of the socket. To do this, it is pulled back in the transverse direction and scrolls in the end.

pipes have grown together during operation;
for sealing, they used not a cable with cement, but sulfur.

In the first case, it remains only to cut off the cast-iron pipe with a grinder directly above the socket, then make 2-3 internal notches with a disk with a smaller diameter

The remains are carefully chipped off with a chisel, it is important to avoid getting metal elements into the sewer. After that, the inside of the bell is cleaned and wiped dry with a rag.

It is more difficult to disassemble sewer cast-iron pipes with a sulfur plug, heat treatment of the joint area is required - heating with a blowtorch to several hundred ° C, the desired state is determined visually (the pipe will turn red). In this case, the sealant burns out and the pipe becomes free. An important nuance: it is allowed to remove the cast-iron sewer pipe no earlier than 15 minutes after heating, it is impossible to loosen and influence hot joints. As in the case of caulking pipes with a cable, blows to the pipes are not allowed, the pipe that has become unusable is carefully unscrewed (without effort and pressure).

The toilet is replaced according to the same rules. It is recommended to disconnect the water supply, drain the tank to the maximum and. When fastened with studs or a nut connection, it is easier to replace the toilet bowl with your own hands: it is unscrewed, loosened and removed from the outlet pipe. It is almost impossible to remove the toilet bowl installed on the cement mortar intact, in this case it simply breaks.

Tip: in order to avoid unpleasant odors entering the apartment, and pieces of faience inside the sewer, it is recommended to plug the drain hole with a chopper.

It is strictly forbidden to hit the sewer pipe, this is the same as directly hitting cast iron with a sledgehammer. Therefore, blows are applied to the neck, and then the toilet bowl is broken into pieces. At the moment the base is detached, water flows out of it, it is advisable to prepare rags and a bucket in advance to collect it. Be sure to clean the edges of the sewer cast-iron pipe from pieces of faience. This is done with a chisel or screwdrivers, this stage is very important (the pipe goes into the floor, if it is damaged, problems arise). In the zone of particular risk are common risers with tees (c) and old toilets with cemented joints, in this case it is better to entrust the caulking to specialists.

WATCH VIDEO

The most difficult step when replacing an old pipeline is the dismantling of a cast-iron pipe that has served its purpose. Previously, in the construction of communications, cast iron pipes were used, the connection of which took place with cement mortar, sulfur or aluminum. Pipelines assembled using the last two substances are very difficult to destroy, so you need to prepare for lengthy dismantling work. And this article will tell you about the technology for their implementation.

General progress

At first it may seem that dismantling outdated communications is a trifling matter, because breaking is not building. However, just the right, qualified approach is needed here, because otherwise it is easy to damage the riser connecting several apartments at once. And this is a real disaster, the consequence of which will be the need to replace the common riser and, of course, the boundless indignation of the neighbors.

Dismantle the cast-iron pipe carefully, adhering to the following sequence:

Turn off the supply of tap water to the apartment.
Disconnecting the hose that supplies water to the flush tank from the toilet with an adjustable wrench.
Dismantling the toilet bowl (it is necessary to unscrew the bolts securing it to the floor).

Freeing the bathroom from extraneous things and equipment that may interfere with the conduct (bidet, sink, washing machine, etc.).
Demolition of the old sewerage system. Due to the fact that cast iron is characterized by high brittleness, pipes located at some distance from the riser can be easily broken with a hammer.
Removal of pipes connected directly to the old riser.
Installation of the cuff on the socket of the tee. First you need to thoroughly clean the socket from old lubricants that prevent the quality installation of a new sewer system.

Dismantling instructions

Destruction of joints with a burner

If the joints of the cast-iron pipeline are fastened with sulfur, this greatly complicates the task of dismantling. However, we have some tips on how to disassemble the cast iron sewer pipes in this case. Like any chemical substance, sulfur is destroyed under certain influences, namely, with prolonged heating with an open flame. High temperatures make it viscous and plastic, making it easy to remove the substance from the surface.

To dismantle the pipeline connected with the use of sulfur, prepare a hammer and chisel, as well as a gas burner for heating. By the way, the burner can be replaced with a blowtorch.

When the pipeline is heated by a lamp or burner, a harmful gas, sulfur dioxide, will be released into the surrounding space. In addition, open flames are also dangerous. Therefore, measures to protect life, health and the environment are mandatory. Sulfur heating operations can last several hours so that the combustion products do not harm the lungs, a gas mask is needed, and a protective screen made of metal or asbestos is suitable to prevent accidental ignition of furniture and other interior elements.

Resolution of joints without a burner (video)

If it is not possible to use the burner, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video below.

Dismantling instructions

It is advisable to start dismantling with the analysis of pipes located at a distance from the riser. This is not difficult and most likely there will be no problems if a chisel and a hammer are used, because cast iron is a very brittle metal.

Due to the brittleness of cast iron, it is not recommended to use a hammer with metal nozzles when dismantling. With a strong impact, a part of the cast-iron pipe may be inside the pipeline, thereby reducing its clearance or creating a serious blockage in the sewer system. Therefore, it is better to use hammers with polymer or plastic heads.

So, consider how to remove a cast-iron sewer pipe:

The destruction with a hammer is carried out until a cross is inserted into the riser.

Next, you need to gradually loosen it inside the riser. You can leave a pipe segment connected to the cross, then the operations for the destruction of the cross will be simplified. Some specialists, on the contrary, remove cast-iron pipes to the maximum, exposing the joints to the maximum.
Having dressed in protective equipment and covering the furniture with screens, you should start heating the sulfur. The work will go faster if two people are involved in the dismantling: one melts the connections with a blowtorch or gas burner, and the second removes the sulfur that has become viscous with a knife.
When more sulfur is removed from the docking points, the cross is removed from the riser.

Be especially careful when removing pipes connected to a tee located on the riser. Saw off part of the pipe with a grinder, leaving a distance of 10 cm to the riser. Loosen the remaining element and try to remove it from the socket.

Possible problems

The dismantling of the old pipeline must be carried out to the maximum possible limit, since it is better to cut off the cast-iron pipe to the point where it passes into the socket. Then joining a new plastic pipeline and a cast-iron pipe will take less time and effort. Do not think about how to cut a cast-iron pipe, use a grinder.

How to cut a cast-iron pipe if you don't have a grinder? Take a hacksaw and get to work, but this will naturally increase the duration of dismantling operations.

If dismantling attempts fail, you should not be upset: they are sold in stores specially designed for connecting cast iron and polymer pipes.

Sometimes it can be difficult to cut plastic pipes. Try sawing it in half around the circumference, and then apply slight pressure or make a slight rotation - the pipe will burst.

If the pipe cannot be removed from the socket of the riser, and you no longer know how to pull out the cast-iron pipe, make cuts in a circle along the pipe at intervals of about 20 mm, reaching the socket, and then remove it from the riser.

Before connecting cast-iron pipes and polymer pipes, it is required to clean the first ones from sulfur, using the same heating. Once the sulfur has been removed, the pipes are allowed to cool, usually several hours. At the final stage, the installation of a new sewer network is being carried out. It is best to purchase pipes from modern materials: plastic or metal-plastic.

The standard sewerage system in Soviet-built houses consists of the following elements:

the main riser passing between the floors;
shaped outlet (cross or tee) for connecting the riser to the main line inside the apartment;
internal wiring.

Important! When dismantling the pipeline, the main difficulty is not to damage the socket of the section located below. It will remain in operation after replacing the riser section, so no cracks or chips should form in it.

The easiest way to dismantle

We advise you to find out what breakdowns can occur with and how to fix them yourself.

Read: what are the benefits for bathrooms.

Stages of sewerage analysis

Dismantling the sewer system in the apartment includes the following steps:

preparatory work;
removal of wiring inside the apartment;
dismantling of the sewer riser;
removal of fan outlet.

What do you need to work

gloves: rubber and fabric;
goggles;
a good breath filter or gas mask.

From the tools you will need:

grinder saw with a set of discs for metal;
chisel or thick screwdriver;
sledgehammer or heavy hammer;
crowbar / nail puller / puller;
thin strong screwdriver;
chisel;
blowtorch or powerful building hair dryer.

These things will come in handy in any case. But besides this set, other tools may be required. This will depend on the progress of the work.

Tip: you do not need to start dismantling the sewer system alone. Be sure to find yourself an assistant for this event.

Preparatory stage

We disassemble the internal wiring

Attention! The first cut should be made as close as possible to the outlet socket.

We dismantle the riser

Important! After this operation, it is worth plugging the rest of the pipe sticking out of the ceiling with rags and plastic wrap.

Analysis of the tee

Important! When chipping cement, you need to try so that its pieces do not fall down the riser.

Attention! This procedure is accompanied by a very unpleasant odor. It is recommended to carry it out in a gas mask.

Sewer dismantling- the procedure necessary to replace pipes in old apartments and houses. In most rooms, cast-iron pipes are dismantled, in place of which plastic counterparts are reinstalled. In Soviet times, plumbing equipment was installed in good faith, so disassembling it can take a lot of time and effort. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, which may result in improper dismantling of the sewage system, contact professionals. Experienced plumbers of "5 Masters" will help to dismantle the old pipeline, reinstall pipes, and provide related services. To receive a free consultation, as well as to call specialists, call us by phone or leave your contacts on the website so that we will call you back.

Why you should contact "5 Masters":

Dismantling the sewer will be handled by experienced plumbers
A professional tool will help to cope with the dismantling of the sewer
faster
We work in all districts of Moscow, as well as the nearest suburbs
We have reasonable prices discussed individually with each customer
Specialists of "5 Masters" work without prepayment

What is the difficulty of dismantling the cast-iron sewer?

Not every experienced plumber will undertake the dismantling of a cast-iron sewer system, since this work can take a lot of time and effort. The fact is that if pipes sealed with cement are somehow disassembled, then a pipeline filled with lead or sulfur for reliability is a solid structure, which is almost impossible to disassemble without damaging the riser.
Since cast iron is a fragile material, the wiring around the apartment is usually dismantled with a hammer and chisel. However, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe central riser, it is not worth dismantling in this way. If the tee is damaged, then the riser fragment will have to be replaced. And this process is even more laborious. To disassemble the pipeline near the riser, the method of heating the sewer pipes is often used so that the sulfur burns out or melts out.

Sewer dismantling It can take a whole day or even longer. The complexity of the work depends on the material that was used by plumbers to fasten the pipes. In many cases, a professional tool may be required to remove the pipeline. If you don’t know exactly how to disassemble the sewer, it’s better not to take on this matter. Specialists of "5 Masters" will help to carefully dismantle the system, install a new pipeline, connect plumbing. The cost of services will depend on the complexity of dismantling. We will discuss the price with you individually.

Before the advent of new materials, such as metal-plastic or plastic pipes, most houses had steel or cast-iron sewers. Before installing a new pipeline, it is necessary to dismantle the old one, which is not an easy task, because earlier cast-iron structures were connected with cement mortar, aluminum or sulfur. Such a pipeline is difficult to dismantle, so it is worth preparing for a laborious and protracted process.

When a cast-iron sewer is being dismantled, a wide variety of tools can be used, because it all depends on the method and material of chasing. However, the most important devices can be distinguished - these are:

grinder, with which you can cut out a pipeline element;
grinding or cutting discs;
blowtorch;
a set of different screwdrivers, a hammer;
chisel;
special pipe wrench;
goggles, a mask, and when disassembling structures that were connected with gray, also a headdress;
perforator;
nail puller or crowbar;
pipe cutter;
chisel or steel wedge;
iron bucket with water.

Before starting work, it is worth determining the connection method in order to sketch out a rough plan for how to disassemble the cast-iron sewer.

Moments of dismantling cast iron

With a complete replacement of the structure with a plastic one, you can not do extra work and just smash everything with a hammer. This is quite easy to do, because cast iron is considered a brittle material. However, if only part of the pipeline needs to be dismantled, the work must be done more carefully.

Before dismantling the cast-iron sewer, it is necessary to inspect the entire system to determine the area that will be repaired. Then be sure to turn off the water supply so that the drains do not enter the sewer. Further disassembly is carried out in stages:

The part of the pipe located below the connection is cut off.
The pipe is separated from the socket. The embossing methods will be discussed in more detail.
If you remove the connection just does not come out, use a blowtorch or make surrounding cuts 20 mm long.

When carrying out procedures, it is imperative to use all protective equipment due to the injury risk of this work.

Caulking of the pipeline with sulfur compound

Regardless of how the cast-iron sewer was connected, it is imperative to carry out some standard preparatory work before replacing:

turn off the water;
disconnect the hose leading to the toilet;
remove the toilet itself by unscrewing the bolts;
clean the bathroom of appliances and furniture.

To determine whether sulfur was really used when connecting pipes, you need to bring a blowtorch to the seam. Under the influence of high temperatures, sulfur melts, accompanying this process with an unpleasant odor.

When disassembling cast-iron sewer pipes, work begins from the farthest corner. The element must be broken with a hammer. It is better to use a tool with a plastic or polymer base, because the sewer can become clogged due to metal nozzles. Having found the cross leading to the riser, it is necessary to loosen it as much as possible.

Then you need to prepare a blowtorch or gas burner. At least two people should be involved in heating up the connections. While one warms up and melts sulfur, the other must loosen the structure. When doing this, be sure to use gloves and other protective equipment.

When the connecting substance is completely melted, the crosspiece can be removed from the riser. At the same time, you should be very careful, you need to remember to remove the remaining sulfur, and then let the riser cool thoroughly. If the cast iron structure is too strong, you can always make a few cuts near the pipe that needs to be removed. This will make the extraction process easier.

Cement bonded pipeline caulking

Dismantling cast iron pipes that have been connected with cement is practically the same as the above-mentioned sulfur option, but it is much safer. This is because when sulfur melts, a lot of carbon monoxide is released.

To start dismantling, you need to cut off part of the pipe. In this case, it is worth retreating at least 30 cm from the junction. The hardened cement is removed with a hammer, which must be beaten with a screwdriver or a chisel inserted into the hole. All procedures should be performed as carefully as possible so as not to damage the socket.

When the joints are freed from cement, you need to try to loosen the main pipe. In order not to process the sewer with a blowtorch or a burner, it is necessary to remove the cable, but if this cannot be dispensed with, it is necessary to heat it up strongly or use a specialized key. For example, for a 50 mm pipe, tool Nos. 3 and 4 are used.

The crosspiece is located below on the main riser. To remove it, you can simply use a hammer with a screwdriver. At the same time, for some time, you need to lightly tap on the tee itself in order to form a small gap between it and the pipe. Then you need to penetrate this opening, pry off the tee and remove it. It will take a lot of time to carry out these manipulations, in addition, this method is ineffective.

The next option is to use a blowtorch or burner. Dismantling is much faster, but the price for this is an unpleasant smell that takes a long time to disappear. First of all, you need to cut the socket of the cross. Then a heating device is placed in the pipe. A metal shield is applied to the upper part of the pipe in order to be able to regulate the draft inside the riser. When heated, you need to start swinging the pipe and, as soon as possible, remove the dismantled tee.

You can also use a grinder. To do this, you must first cut off parts of the tee, leaving a small piece in the pipe. Then put a medium-sized disk that could freely get inside, and cut through the remaining parts of the structure with a grinder, knocking them out with a hammer.

What to do in case of failure?

The dismantling of the pipeline is carried out to the permissible limit, because it is better to cut the pipe before it passes into the socket. At the same time, joining a cast-iron pipeline with a plastic one will take much less effort and time. It is better to cut the structure with a grinder, but if it is not there, you can use a hacksaw to work with metal. The use of this tool can greatly increase the duration of the dismantling process.

If the dismantling was unsuccessful, do not be upset, because you can simply purchase a specialized transitional coupling, with which cast-iron and polymer pipes are connected.

If you have difficulty cutting the pipe, you can cut it in half. Then you need to apply slight pressure or rotate so that the element bursts. If it cannot be removed from the socket, you just need to make several cuts in a circle with an interval of 20 mm, after which it can be removed from the riser.

Before starting the connection of the cast-iron and polymer pipeline, it is necessary to clean the first option of sulfur by heating. After removing the substance, it is necessary to leave the pipes for several hours and allow them to cool.

General progress

Dismantle the cast-iron pipe carefully, adhering to the following sequence:

Turn off the supply of tap water to the apartment.
Disconnecting the hose that supplies water to the flush tank from the toilet with an adjustable wrench.
Dismantling the toilet bowl (it is necessary to unscrew the bolts securing it to the floor).

Freeing the bathroom from extraneous things and equipment that may interfere with the conduct (bidet, sink, washing machine, etc.).
Demolition of the old sewerage system. Due to the fact that cast iron is characterized by high brittleness, pipes located at some distance from the riser can be easily broken with a hammer.
Removal of pipes connected directly to the old riser.
Installation of the cuff on the socket of the tee. First you need to thoroughly clean the socket from old lubricants that prevent the quality installation of a new sewer system.

Dismantling instructions

Destruction of joints with a burner

To dismantle the pipeline connected with the use of sulfur, prepare a hammer and chisel, as well as a gas burner for heating. By the way, the burner can be replaced with a blowtorch.

Resolution of joints without a burner (video)

If it is not possible to use the burner, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video below.

Dismantling instructions

So, consider how to remove a cast-iron sewer pipe:

The destruction with a hammer is carried out until a cross is inserted into the riser.

Next, you need to gradually loosen it inside the riser. You can leave a pipe segment connected to the cross, then the operations for the destruction of the cross will be simplified. Some specialists, on the contrary, remove cast-iron pipes to the maximum, exposing the joints to the maximum.
Having dressed in protective equipment and covering the furniture with screens, you should start heating the sulfur. The work will go faster if two people are involved in the dismantling: one melts the connections with a blowtorch or gas burner, and the second removes the sulfur that has become viscous with a knife.
When more sulfur is removed from the docking points, the cross is removed from the riser.

Possible problems

How to cut a cast-iron pipe if you don't have a grinder? Take a hacksaw and get to work, but this will naturally increase the duration of dismantling operations.

If dismantling attempts fail, you should not be upset: they are sold in stores specially designed for connecting cast iron and polymer pipes.

Sometimes it can be difficult to cut plastic pipes. Try sawing it in half around the circumference, and then apply slight pressure or make a slight rotation - the pipe will burst.

When a person makes major repairs in his apartment, then this type of work, such as replacing the sewer system, is one of the main ones. This is due to the fact that in most cases cast-iron pipes are installed in residential premises.

Which tool will be used to dismantle the sewer elements with your own hands depends on the material used for embossing.

Basically on hand should be:

Caulking tool

grinder - used to cut a piece of pipe;
cutting, grinding discs;
protective mask, goggles, headgear (in case of chasing pipes connected with sulfur);
blowtorch - required for heating;
hammer, screwdrivers of various lengths and thicknesses;
pipe wrench;
chisel.

Bulgarian and blowtorch

If you are dealing with cast iron elements, then the arsenal should include: a puncher, a chisel / steel wedge, a crowbar or a nail puller, a pipe cutter, an iron bucket filled with water.

Before you start work, it does not hurt to draw up an action plan, which depends on how the sewer pipes are connected.

Perforator

How is cast iron disassembled?

If you are going to completely dismantle the cast-iron pipe structure in order to replace it with a plastic one, you can break it with a hammer.

This will not be difficult, because the material itself is very fragile. But if you plan to disassemble a specific part, then you should resort to more loyal methods.

Before you disassemble the cast-iron sewer, you need to inspect the entire system and clearly determine which area needs repair.

After that, the water supply is turned off, respectively, no drains will fall into the sewer.

Cut off the desired section of the pipe

a section is cut off that section of the pipe that is below the connection;
then the pipe and socket must be separated. The methods of embossing will be described below;
if the connection is difficult to dismantle, then a blowtorch can be used or surrounding cuts are made 20 mm long.

Dismantling a cast-iron sewer using a lamp

Considering that dismantling a cast-iron sewer with your own hands can be traumatic, do not neglect the protective equipment and safety rules.

Chasing pipes connected with sulfur

Replacing the sewer, the constituent parts of which were connected with sulfur during installation, begins with the following actions:

Chasing pipes connected with sulfur

shutdown of water supply;
disconnecting the hose that leads to the toilet flush barrel;
completely remove the plumbing fixture by unscrewing the bolts;
free the bathroom from furniture and appliances.

Answering the question of how to emboss a cast-iron sewer connected with sulfur, it is worth noting that, due to its properties, this process is quite complicated.

The best way to tell if sulfur has been used or not is to hold a blowtorch near the pipe.

The peculiarity of sulfur is that at high temperatures it begins to melt, which is accompanied by the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

How to dismantle a cast-iron sewer:

Removal of residual sulfur and cooling of the tee

As you can see, figuring out how to dismantle a cast-iron sewer is not difficult at all.

Most importantly, do not forget to remove the remaining sulfur from the riser and let it cool.

If the cast iron system turned out to be seriously strong, then you can make cuts around the pipe that needs to be removed. This will make it easier to remove it from the riser. Failed to disassemble the pipeline?

Just connect it to plastic pipes, and this can be done using transitional couplings.

The process of dismantling pipes connected with cement and cable

When discussing how to disassemble an old cast-iron sewer connected with cement, it is worth noting that the process is not much different from the above, but is safer.

This is explained by the fact that sulfur emits carbon monoxide during melting.

And it all starts with a cut of a certain part of the cast-iron pipe, for which you need to step back from the separation points by about 30 cm.

The hardened cement is knocked down with a hammer, which needs to be beaten on a screwdriver inserted into the hole.

Dismantling the connection with cement and cable

It is important to know that you should not rush into this matter, because you can damage the bell.

After breaking the cement at the joints:

you should try to loosen the main pipe. If you are interested in how to disassemble a cast-iron sewer without heating, then know that it is allowed to remove the cable;
if even without a cable it is not possible to loosen the pipe, then strong heating or a special key will help. For example, for pipes with a diameter of 50 mm, you need tool No. 3, No. 4, but for a tee, you need another pipe.