Chasing cast-iron pipes: features of the process. How to emboss cast iron plumbing pipes

Something, but there was a lot of cast iron in the Soviet Union! All technologies were developed taking into account the use of this particular material. So in the laying of sewers, cast iron is still very much in demand. Of course, cast iron has many very significant advantages - it can withstand heavy loads, which allows you to assemble risers on many floors, it is durable, can perform its function for decades in damp or cold rooms, paint fits well on a cast-iron pipe, that is, it can be beautifully entered into design. In a word, a cast iron sewer pipe is a solid, durable thing. But in this thoroughness lies its main drawback. It is very difficult to disassemble, if necessary, a part of such a pipeline. And sometimes this is an urgent need. For example, you need an additional outlet or an existing outlet has become unusable. How to proceed?

hammered pipe before starting work

The best thing is when the work is done by a professional, a master of his craft. In this case, you can be sure of the quality and efficiency of the work performed. But this option is not always possible. Often, plumbing has to wait for weeks, and their prices, to put it mildly, are overpriced. It happens that this "master" has no experience in such works. Not all those who wear plumbing overalls are such.

Therefore, if you have at least some manual skills, then you can disconnect or, as they say, emboss cast-iron sewer pipes yourself. Let's try to decide on the algorithm of actions.

Preparation for caulking pipes

First of all, you need to stock up in advance with all the necessary tools so that it is at hand. It is necessary to prepare an angle grinder (grinder), preferably adapted to work with 230 mm discs. For those places that cannot be approached by a grinder, you need to stock up on a hacksaw (it's good to have a few spare blades). You will also need: a simple hammer and a hammer with a rubber or wooden sole, an adjustable wrench, a chisel, pliers, several screwdrivers of different widths, a blowtorch and a respirator. And, of course, glasses, gloves and rags.

warming up the pipe before caulking

Depending on the way the pipes were minted, the condition of the minting and your skill, the operation could take several hours. This must be kept in mind. Of all plumbing repairs, caulking cast-iron pipes is perhaps the most time-consuming job. But don't let that scare you. Thousands of people have done this job successfully, and so can you.

First stage

So, we begin dismantling the cast-iron sewer with our own hands. First of all, we close all the valves, thereby eliminating the possibility of water flow through the disassembled pipe. It is desirable (but not necessary) to agree with the neighbors from above to temporarily limit the use of water supply, and hence sewerage. We free ourselves as much space as possible, disconnect all drain pipes. Special mention must be made of the toilet. This plumbing product, as a rule, is located as close as possible to the riser. Modern toilets are connected to the sewer system using corrugations, while the Soviet ones were connected directly to the pipe socket. And since they were also attached to the floor by cement pouring, it is impossible to disconnect such a toilet bowl from the pipe and the floor at the same time. If such a rarity is installed in your bathroom, but you need to chisel the sewer, then you will have to say goodbye to such a toilet. It can only be broken and dismantled in parts.

the beginning of caulking a cast-iron pipe with a chisel and a hammer

After removing the toilet, disconnecting the pipes, we get directly to the connection that needs to be minted. If you need to replace the final pipe, this makes the task much easier. If the problematic part of the pipe is located in the middle of the common pipeline or has additional branches, cutting is indispensable. Such a pipe cannot be moved, and without this it will not be possible to remove one pipe from the other. Therefore, the pipe is cut a few (2-4) centimeters from the socket of the previous pipe. By no means flush!

The incision is made by a grinder (in compliance with all safety regulations). If the location of the pipe does not allow it to be completely cut, then we finish the rest with a hacksaw. Do not try to break the undercut with a hammer or pry bar. It is very important to remember that cast iron is a brittle material. This fragility is unpredictable, you can hit it several times in vain in one place, and suddenly crack in another. The pipes that you are changing are already worn out, they may have shells and microcracks inside, through which the pipe can burst. And the danger lies precisely in the fact that a part of the bell can break off, which must be left intact. Otherwise, the next pipe will also have to be changed, and it can be part of a common riser or pass through an interfloor ceiling. Agree that this is a completely different level of problems.

Correctly executed partial caulking of the pipe

Therefore, we carefully cut the pipe. You can make several longitudinal incisions on the rest of the pipe to the socket. To prevent foreign objects from entering the pipeline, plug the hole with a rag.

By the way, it is better to tie it to something just in case, to be sure that the rags will not fly into the riser.

Chasing pipes minted in different ways

Gently make a few blows with a hammer on the socket and try to loosen it. If there is slight movement, then the method of caulking is simpler, consisting of a rammed rope (kabolka). In this case, you should try to dig its top layer with a screwdriver of a suitable width and find the end. Then, having hooked the edge of the cable with pliers, we try to pull it out all the way, while shaking our rest of the pipe. Having pulled out the entire rope, we continue to shake the pipe in different directions, while pulling it towards ourselves.

The most undesirable, but, unfortunately, the most common method of minting in Soviet times was pouring sulfur compounds into the cavity. How to disconnect cast iron sewer pipes connected in this way? To do this, you will have to use the only effective method - heating. Be sure to remember a simple thing: sulfur, and especially its vapors, are poison! Use a respirator without fail, and if possible, a gas mask! The process of heating sulfur with a blowtorch will take a long time, so if you do not have personal respiratory protection equipment, even if you have a good ventilation system, it is better not to start it at all. Health is more expensive!

connection of a embossed pipe with a plastic pipe

So, we heat the sulfur. Periodically tap on the pipe until it begins to noticeably move. This suggests that the consistency of sulfur has changed and it has become viscous. The pipe also got very hot, so we clamp it with an adjustable wrench and, just as in the previous case, we pull it towards ourselves, loosening it. Everything, the bell is free!

After the pipe is removed from the bell, it is necessary to clean it from the remnants of sulfur or kabolka. This is done with a chisel, screwdrivers and a chisel with a rubber mallet. Then everything inside is thoroughly wiped with a rag, especially the saddle of the bell, as the main working surface. The embossing process has been completed.

If the description of the process did not clarify everything, and you need to visually see how the caulking takes place, then try to find a video on the Internet on how to caulk a cast-iron sewer.

A modern sewer system is a complex structure that at times increases the comfort of life for the inhabitants of a country house or an apartment in a multi-storey building. In order for the sewerage system to function properly, during the installation process it is necessary to ensure that everything is done correctly, otherwise you may encounter trouble during operation.

Over time, sewer pipes fail and need to be replaced. Considering that in most Soviet-era buildings, mainly cast-iron pipes were used to install the sewer system, now it is necessary to carry out either a complete replacement or a partial one.

Chasing and chasing sewer pipes

Note! Cast iron pipes under the influence of aggressive factors from the outside can lose their functionality and fail in exactly the same way as plastic products and steel pipes.

An important place in the process of repairing sewer pipes made of cast iron is their caulking and caulking - procedures that are carried out using special technologies and building materials.

The one who assumes that it is easier to dismantle a sewer pipe than to install is mistaken. The first stage on the way to replacing an unusable element is the chasing of sewer pipes, or rather chasing. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to do this job. This job is quite dirty and unpleasant.

Chasing a sewer pipe is required if the socket method was used during installation work.

Note! Chasing is performed in different ways, depending on which method was used to give strength and reliability to the connection.

To figure out how to caulk a sewer pipe, it is necessary to determine whether a sealant or sealant is used to connect cast iron pipes to each other.

Chasing the pipe on the seal begins with the fact that it is tedious to beat off the waterproofing layer with a special rubberized hammer. After that, the joint is loosened, the camboca is removed, the sewer pipe is removed from the socket.
The caulking of the pipe on the sealant is performed a little differently. First you need to tap the joint, then remove the waterproofing layer, burn the sealant with a blowtorch. Once the pipe has cooled, it can be easily removed from the socket.

Note! After the caulking has been done and the damaged part of the cast iron sewer pipe has been removed, it is not recommended to install a replacement from that material. It is better to replace the cast iron pipe with a plastic counterpart. Plastic is in no way inferior to cast iron, but is a lighter and cheaper material, and besides, it does not corrode.

Methods for caulking sewer pipes

When installing a sewer system using cast-iron pipes, which are connected in a “bell” way, voids are formed at the joints, which can adversely affect the functioning of the sewer. In order for the connection to be reliable and durable, caulking of sewer pipes is required. It can be made using different materials. Most often it is cement and asbestos cement.

Use of cement mortar

First you need to mount the resin seal in its place. The tarred rope must be tamped into the hole of the sewer pipe and the socket. After the formation of the first ring of the tourniquet, we overlap its end from above so that it cannot penetrate the pipe in any way.

Methods for caulking sewer pipes

Now you need to prepare the cement mortar. To do this, cement is poured with water, in a ratio of 9: 1. As soon as the solution cools down a bit, they need to fill in the junction. Using a hammer, we drive the cement into the joint. For a better fight between the solution and the tarred rope, it is necessary to cover the cemented joint with a damp cloth afterward.

Note! If you use extended caulking and embossing in the course of work, the installation speed will increase by 30%. If caulking is performed during the cold season, the cement mortar is prepared not in cold, but in hot water. After completing the work, it is necessary to take care of the insulation of the joints.

The use of asbestos cement

The asbestos-cement mixture is also suitable for performing work on the sewer cast-iron pipe. In this case, the workflow will be slightly different.

Chasing pipes

First you need to make a solution. To do this, in a container, mix a mixture of dry asbestos fiber with cement. For one part of the mixture you need to take two parts of cement.
Now the resulting mixture needs to be slightly diluted with water so that it adds 10-12% of the mass, stir until smooth.

There is no fundamental difference in how the sockets of sewer pipes are caulked with asbestos-cement mixture or cement mortar.

Note! Cast iron is a rather fragile material despite all its technical characteristics. During operation, it is exposed to water, solid waste, aggressive chemicals. In order to extend the life and improve the quality of service of sewer pipes made of this material, it is necessary to caulk the connections.

Before you start doing the work with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with all the nuances of chasing. The procedure is quite complicated and time consuming. Without even the slightest experience in carrying out construction work, you should not even take on the execution of caulking.

Reading 6 min.

If you plan to install cast iron sewer pipes, you need to take into account the configuration of the room in which the installation will be carried out. This is necessary in the case when it is necessary to make repairs with the rearrangement of plumbing fixtures, for example, a shower cabin is installed instead of a bathtub or vice versa. It may be necessary to add elbows, increase the length of the pipeline. You need to start by preparing the room. Determine the most appropriate type of connection and method of installing communications. Installation of cast iron pipes is carried out after the fittings are selected.

Pipes for installation

Preparatory work

Products are checked for defects. External characteristics are evaluated: the pipes should not have dents, cracks, bumps and spots. It is recommended to use communications characterized by a flat surface of the walls. You can lightly tap on the products. In different places, the sound should be the same. The condition of the cut is also evaluated. Its structure should be homogeneous, fine-grained.

If you plan to change cast iron pipes, you must first dismantle the old communications. For this purpose, a hammer is prepared (for horizontally oriented products), a grinder. The sawing of the riser is carried out only with the help of a grinder. It is not recommended to use a hammer in this case, since individual parts can get into the pipe lumen, which will lead to hard-to-remove blockages. Before installing communications, it is necessary to block the water riser. In the case when the connection of the toilet bowl is changed, the drain should not be used for some time.

Varieties of installation

The pipeline can be located vertically or horizontally. The choice of the method of installing communications is determined by the intended purpose of the connected plumbing fixture and the tasks that need to be solved through these pipes. In order to increase the reliability of fixing the structure, special fasteners are used. In each case they are different.

Vertical

The height of the premises is significant - from 2.5 m. To prevent the pipe from "walking" in the opening of the ceiling, steel clamps are used. They are recommended to be installed under the butt joint (under the socket). The clamp securely holds the pipeline, because it completely covers it in diameter. Fasteners are fixed on the wall. They are installed with some step.

Horizontal

The principle of pipe support in this case is similar to that previously considered. In this case, the fasteners are arranged with equal spacing. Clamps in this case do not provide the desired result, it is recommended to use hanging hooks, brackets, consoles. All fastening elements must be made of metal, steel products are more often used. They are durable and last for a long time.

Connection types

There are several ways to connect. Thanks to a wide range of options, it becomes possible to choose the most suitable method, taking into account the operating conditions of the pipeline. Overview of connection types:

Trumpet. Communications in this case have an extension on one side. It looks like a cuff. A rubber gasket is installed in the socket. Then a pipe is inserted into this expansion. The result is a reliable, durable connection. However, its quality is determined by the characteristics of the gasket. If the rubber deforms or loses its properties, which often happens during prolonged use, then a leak will form. You can fix it by replacing the gasket.
sealing method. In this case, communications with a socket are used, however, the gasket is not installed at the joint area. The cracks are filled with tow, after which they are cemented.
Socketless connection. In this case, an adapter in the form of a coupling is used. Communications are installed in this product from two sides. Then, in this section, the pipeline elements are coupled with metal clamps.
Plastic joint. Docking according to this principle is performed when it is necessary to connect sections of cast iron and plastic pipelines. To do this, use special adapters, sealant.

What should not be done during installation?

use of a gas burner during dismantling;
the use of a welding machine to connect sections of the pipeline;
cleaning the surface of communications.

Security measures

When installing a cast-iron pipeline, care must be taken when handling such products. Cast iron is distinguished by reliability and durability during operation, but it is a fragile material, which manifests itself during transportation and installation. During cutting, small pieces of metal may break off. When they enter the pipeline, they contribute to a decrease in the clearance. In addition, fragments can get into the face, injure the organs of vision. For this reason, it is recommended to wear a protective screen or goggles while working with cast iron communications.

If pipe cutting is performed in a room with installed plumbing fixtures and furniture, it is necessary to maintain their integrity. To do this, before starting dismantling, cover all objects with a dense cloth.

Cast iron fittings

The elements are made from wrought iron. Fittings made of this metal can only be used to connect cast iron communications. They are not suitable for steel products. There are several types:

threaded;
compression;
press fittings.

To increase reliability, such products are coated with zinc. According to the connection method, threaded elements are divided into 3 groups:

with internal thread;
external thread;
external-internal thread.

When assembling the pipeline, different shaped elements are used, which are different in shape and configuration:

revision - used to eliminate blockage, with the help of such an element, preventive cleaning of the system is performed;
coupling - allows you to join pipes of the same diameter;
cross - used to change the direction of the pipeline, create several directions;
transitions - used when connecting communications of different diameters;
tee - allows you to combine pipelines in three directions or perform wiring;
indent - used in cases where it is necessary to slightly change the direction of the pipeline;
knee - an element with two outlets located at an angle of 90 °;
branch - resembles a knee, however, the angle of rotation of the outlets relative to each other is much smaller (45 ° or less).

Methods for caulking sewer pipes

In this case, a cement mixture, tow is used. With these materials it is possible to caulk gaps in the flare connection when a rubber gasket is not used. This method is considered the most reliable, due to the use of cement mortar. The chasing technology is implemented in stages:

first, two pipes are connected, and the size of the gap should not be less than 3 mm, otherwise this method will be difficult to implement;
the tow is hammered into the leak between the pipes using a narrow spatula, screwdriver, chasing, the depth of filling the slot is 2/3 of the length of the socket;
the remaining part of the cast-iron expansion of the pipe is sealed with cement mortar.

For greater reliability, cement grades M300, M400 should be used. The better the characteristics of the material, the lower the risk of future leakage.

Use of cement mortar

In order for the connection of cast-iron pipes to serve for a long time, you need to properly prepare the mixture. The recommended ratio of cement and water is 9:1. The remaining free part of the socket is filled with the mixture. Given that the solution is quite thick, a chasing and a hammer should be used to seal when filling the metal cuff. These actions continue until the tool bounces off the solution. To improve the properties of the cement, the suture is closed with a damp cloth.

It is important to firmly fix the pipeline during the work, until the solution completely hardens. You can not use it for the next 2-3 days, because this may affect the quality of the connection. Cracks appear in the cement layer if the pipeline is deformed during the drying process.

The use of asbestos cement

The addition of asbestos to the solution contributes to additional hardening. In its pure form, this material is not reliable enough. The recommended ratio of cement and asbestos is 2:1. The principle of connecting pipes using this solution is no different from the previously considered case when pure cement is used. For the preparation of asbestos cement, the same amount of water is taken. The result should be a thick mixture.

The main advantage of cast iron is durability, its main disadvantage is brittleness. These two features must be taken into account when maintaining and repairing cast iron pressure pipes.
The brittleness of cast iron imposes certain requirements on the connection of cast iron pipes. On the one hand, it must be strong and tight, and on the other hand, it must be sufficiently elastic. The fact is that pipes laid in the ground do not lie motionless. The soils are also characterized by shrinkage and blurring. When freezing, the water in the ground expands. All this leads to the movement of the ground. The pipe, as they say, "walks". Traditionally this problem is solved chasing pipes- connecting pipes in such a way that there is a margin of elasticity at the joints.
The smooth end of one pipe is inserted into the socket of the other. A small 3-5 mm gap remains at the junction, which is caulked with a resin strand (kabolka) two-thirds of the depth. The strand is a thin rope, which is inserted into the gap in layers. After each turn, the strand is compacted with a caulk - a special tool. Such a connection allows you to connect the pipe hermetically, but with a margin of elasticity.
To increase the strength of the joint, the remaining third of the gap is cemented or filled with lead. The second option is more reliable and preferable, because. connections in pressure pipes experience significant loads. Both procedures are quite complex and time-consuming. Cement behaves capriciously at high or low humidity, work with the melting of lead requires dexterity and additional preparations.
More advanced methods of connecting cast-iron pressure pipes are currently being used. For example, a socket with a rubber sealing ring and a socket-screw connection. But these compounds began to be used relatively recently. Recall that the advantage of cast iron is durability. The service life of cast iron pressure pipes is more than a hundred years. And, therefore, pipelines made according to old technologies are still actively exploited.
Chasing socket connection can be safely called the weakest point of the cast-iron pipeline. Under the influence of moisture, temperature changes and soil movement for decades, the coinage is destroyed. Typically, accidents caused destruction of coinage, are eliminated for a long time. Procedure minting time-consuming, requiring a certain skill. But even high qualification does not guarantee the absence of marriage. The liquidation of an accident is often carried out in difficult conditions: low temperatures, difficult access to the damaged area, watering of the pit, humidity that prevents the solution from hardening. Fussing with molten lead in such conditions is generally more like a repairman's nightmare. Alas, this dream often comes true. It is almost impossible to perform high-quality coinage during the liquidation of a complex accident.
Our company's product range includes a special type of fittings that can significantly reduce the time required to eliminate this type of accident and improve the quality of repair work on a cast-iron pipeline. This is a socket sealer DZ. With him, all work comes down to installing the product on the socket connection and fixing it with a conventional wrench. The rubber gasket securely seals the joint, without depriving it of the necessary elasticity, and the design itself firmly fixes the joint. Work can be carried out even without completely shutting off the pressure, but only by lowering it so that the leak does not interfere with the repair team. The reliability of the connection of cast-iron pressure pipes with the help of a socket joint sealer is several times higher than the reliability of traditional caulking. And, therefore, once the work is done, the problem will be eliminated once and for all.

Not all users know how to mint a cast-iron sewer pipe. Moreover, not everyone understands what is at stake. However, during the assembly or reconstruction of the sewer system, the ability to correctly caulk pipe joints is very useful.

In many houses, old cast-iron pipelines are still preserved, which it is not advisable to completely change to modern plastic. The pipes are still strong, able to work for decades. As a rule, they are left intact, replacing only apartment horizontal wiring sections. Consider how the connection of cast-iron pipes is made during the installation of drainage systems.

Features of cast iron pipes

Cast iron pipes were used everywhere in Soviet times. Alternative materials for manufacturing were used on a limited scale, for the assembly of special . The properties of cast iron pipelines allow the old system to still work. The advantages of these pipelines:

strength;
long service life;
resistance to temperature changes;
ability to work with aggressive liquids.

The disadvantages are:

tendency to corrosion;
big weight;
fragility, inability to withstand sharp blows;
assembly complexity.

The most significant drawback is the complicated connection procedure, or chasing of cast-iron sewer pipes. In combination with the heavy weight of the parts that create a significant load on the supporting structures, such drainage lines were difficult to install and maintain. However, the durability and reliability of cast iron systems is appreciated by experts. All networks, the condition of which does not inspire concern, are still effectively used for wastewater disposal.

Connection methods

The assembly of cast iron pipelines is a complex and responsible task. There are several types of connections:

into the socket This is the most popular type, which is called "chasing sewer pipes." The process requires accuracy and experience, exact observance of technology requirements. Proper caulking withstands several decades of exploitation of leak postures;
coupling connection. This option is used for socketless pipes. Special couplings are used that tightly wrap around the edges of the connected elements. The build quality is high, no special experience and skills are required to perform the work. However, there are not always necessary conditions for installing a coupling.

There are couplings that are not equipped with threaded clamps. They are two sockets into which the ends of the connected elements are inserted. The assembly of such lines also requires embossing of sewer pipes, performed according to standard technology.

The procedure consists in filling the socket gap with a sealant, and sealing with hardening compounds. As a sealant, a tarred hemp strand is most often used, which is stuffed into 2/3 of the socket and carefully compacted. Then the remaining third is filled with a durable protective compound. To do this, use cement, plumbing sulfur. In pressure lines, lead chasing is sometimes used, the procedure is complex, but very effective.

How to chisel a bell

During repair work, reconstruction or expansion of the drainage system, it often becomes necessary to connect different lines. Before you mint a sewer pipe, you often have to disassemble the old, defective connection. It is extremely difficult to strike a bell, which over the years has been overgrown with monolithic layers. The main problem is the danger of destroying the socket of an entire pipe or tee. If this happens, you will have to disassemble and change the entire riser or horizontal pipeline.

Before you chisel out the old cast-iron sewer, it is necessary to clean the connecting element, remove all foreign objects and layers. As a rule, various temporary patches of paint, additional layers of mortar, and other materials are applied over the standard connection. All such areas are subject to complete removal.

After that, it is necessary to determine what material the insulating seal is made of, since cement is much easier to mint a cast-iron sewer than sulfur. If a cement mortar is used, the process of disassembling the connection will be easier. However, if plumbing sulfur was used, the procedure will be complicated. The material will have to be heated with a gas burner or a blowtorch, since it will not be possible to simply break and remove particles from the gap - sulfur has high strength and viscosity. You will have to work in a gas mask, because when heated, toxic gases will be released.

Procedure

In order to chisel, you must first remove the cement or sulfur filling (1/3 of the socket depth), and then remove the hemp strand (2/3 of the depth). The first stage requires caution and accuracy. There is a high risk of breaking the socket of a tee or other receiving element. First, they act with a chisel, then with a screwdriver with a long thin sting. With gentle hammer blows, the screwdriver is immersed in the gap, breaking off small pieces of the seal.

Many sources recommend first tapping the socket around the circumference with a hammer, and then checking to see if the pipeline has any mobility. This is useless advice, since it is impossible to mint a cast-iron sewer in this way. Until the top layer of cement or sulfur is removed, it will not be possible to swing the pipe. In addition, hammer blows can break the socket, which will significantly increase the amount of work.

When the hard plug is removed, the connection will gain mobility. It is shifted a little to the side, the rope is picked up and pulled out, swinging the pipe to the sides to facilitate the process. After that, the socket will be completely released, the connecting element can be easily removed.

How to mint

Caulking is a procedure for sealing, sealing a connecting element. It is necessary to prepare materials, tools:

oiled rope (hemp strand);
cement (or asbestos-cement) mortar;
a wooden spatula freely entering the gap of the socket;
long screwdriver;
a hammer.

The caulking of sockets of sewer pipes takes place in 2 stages:

stuffing the gap with tow or rope (bondage). Using a cord is considered a more efficient option. The sealant is inserted into the gap, they begin to wind it around the pipe, constantly ramming it with a spatula. The material must be compacted and immersed in the gap until it stops. The process is stopped when the gap is filled to 2/3 of the depth;
cement mortar is poured over the sealant into the gap. It is pushed with a wooden spatula or a screwdriver, evenly distributing the material throughout the entire volume of the cavity. The quantity should be such that the entire gap is completely filled to the very top of the socket.

Chasing a bell with gray at home is not practiced. It is necessary to melt lump sulfur with 10-15% kaolin, which requires special equipment and enhanced ventilation. This method is possible only in the factory.