Chasing and chasing cast-iron pipes. Chasing cast iron pipes: the main stages How to caulk an outer sewer pipe

Chasing cast-iron pipes with your own hands - is it real? Quite! If you have a desire to repair old communications, or replace cast-iron pipes with plastic ones in your apartment, then you will certainly find an hour or two of time to study the issue. And, having taken into account our recommendations and having a set of tools, you will be able to realize your idea. So, what is the chasing of cast-iron sewer pipes and why is it necessary to caulk them during repairs?

What is pipe stamping?

Why, despite the abundance of innovative materials, good old cast iron is still used in the construction of sewer communications? Because this material has high strength, and its consumer characteristics make it possible to make strong and reliable pipes from it that can withstand high loads even in urban sewer networks, and not just in domestic households at their summer cottage.

The socket connection guarantees a quick installation of the system. To ensure the sealing of the joints, the chasing of sewer pipes is used. It is one of the technological operations and is produced by ramming the sealant into the seam between the socket and the pipe. And in modern socketless SML communications, a cast-iron SML tee is used to organize branches, the tightness of which is ensured by special stainless steel clamps with seals.

Chasing of cast iron sewer pipes is carried out at the entrance of the intra-apartment riser to the apartment, as well as at the exit of the fan pipe - a communication element installed in residential buildings and having more than one floor level, designed to prevent odors from entering the room from the sewer.

But, if, for example, SML systems are designed for use in non-pressure networks, then traditional cast iron systems withstand hydraulic pressure up to 0.1 MPa. At the same time, high-quality chasing of sockets of cast-iron pipes is a critical operation in the process of installing the system, since the entire operation of the pipeline as a whole depends on the degree of sealing reliability. Chasing cast iron pipes can be done in several ways using different materials.

What materials are used

Chasing a pipe in a sewer system can be done using:

  • cables;
  • filling with gray.

And, if pouring with sulfur is considered the old Soviet way, then chasing pipes with a cable can be done by hand with minimal theoretical training and a set of tools.

Kabolka is a rope made of flax, hemp or jute impregnated with antiseptic and resinous substances. It is used for sealing joints and seams of sockets and, thanks to impregnation, provides high resistance to decay and biostability. The consumption of cable for chasing pipes is calculated based on their dimensions: the length of the strand must exceed the circumference of the pipe by 25%, and its thickness must be such that it fits snugly into the annular gap. In this case, the cable must be laid into the socket with three bundles so that the overlaps of its ends are in different places along the circumference of the pipe. In the construction of sewer systems, tarred strands are sometimes replaced with rubber rings.

The joint over the cable is sealed with different filler materials. They provide complete tightness of the connection, prevent the extrusion of the cable under the pressure of the contents of the system. Used as a placeholder:

  • cement;
  • asbestos cement;
  • lead.

The disadvantage of cement-based aggregates is their relative stiffness. If a leak forms at the joint, it is impossible to seal it without preliminary caulking, with minimal time and labor costs. Although asbestos cement is used to seal the joints of the sockets of cast-iron pipes, it has a higher elasticity compared to cement.

If sealing the seams of sockets with cement and asbestos cement is not difficult, then chasing cast-iron pipes with lead is a more complicated procedure and requires skills. After caulking the gap with a resin strand, a rope is placed in the socket gap, which is covered with a layer of clay on top. With the help of free ends, after almost complete drying of the binder, the rope is pulled out of the socket gap, and straightened lead is poured into the sprue formed in its place. In order for the vapors formed in the socket slot during its filling with lead to freely go outside, a hole is pierced in the side of the sprue.

Technology: main stages

Chasing the sockets of cast iron pipes begins with the identification of the type of sealant material. It can be cable or sulfur. After removing the waterproofing solution, you can determine which "seal" is in the socket.

If, after removing the waterproofing, when trying to loosen the joint, the process went quite easily, and the pipe began to swing or turn, we can assume that half of the work has already been done. This means that the socket is pressed with a cable and, in order to remove it, you just need to gently loosen the pipe, use a screwdriver to pick up part of the strand and pull out the entire roll. The procedure for dismantling a pipe installed on a cable is much simpler than caulking cast-iron pipes with sulfur.

If the nozzle is mounted on sulfur, the caulking procedure also begins with the removal of the waterproofing. But after that, using a blowtorch, the joint is heated, as a result of which the joint sealant is completely melted. After the connection has cooled down, the pipe can be easily unscrewed from the socket.

Caution: chasing! Safety

When carrying out caulking, safety regulations must be observed. Personal protective equipment is especially important when removing a sulfur filling. When heated, sulfur releases a toxic gas that can cause poisoning if inhaled. Therefore, the caulking of the pipe on sulfur should be carried out in a gas mask.

When removing waterproofing - cement or asbestos cement - with a hammer and chisel, as well as when cleaning the pipe from sulfur residues, you should wear goggles.

Almost all Soviet buildings are equipped with cast-iron sewer communications, since such pipes are durable and resistant to wear. But the cast iron pipeline requires the right approach to use and dismantling.

Unlike drain pipes, which can last for decades, connections inside a home may need to be replaced sooner. Also, interventions in the sewer system may be forced during the installation of washing equipment or redevelopment of the bathroom. To do it according to the rules, it is not necessary to call and wait for the master, all the work can be mastered by the owner himself, if he knows how to handle elementary tools. Dismantling the sewer should not take much time, but dismantling old products is more difficult. Let's figure out how to properly dismantle cast iron pipes.

Step-by-step caulking of cast-iron pipes

In the process of repairing sewer communications with your own hands, the most difficult moment may be caulking a cast-iron pipe. Such manipulation may be required when repairing or reinstalling the riser. In this case, it is necessary to very carefully emboss the pipes of the cast-iron pipes. Step by step, this work can be done like this:

  1. First, use a hammer to lightly tap the socket, while being careful not to break it, since carelessness can lead to irreversible consequences, for example, replacing the entire riser. It is better to use a wooden mallet.
  2. If the previous blockage was made with the help of a cable, then after tapping the bell should wobble freely and it can be removed without additional effort. In such a case, do the following:
    • swing the bell from side to side;
    • pry with a screwdriver and pull the rope a little;
    • hook it with pliers;
    • slowly and carefully pull out the rope, swinging the pipe in the process.
  3. If, after tapping, the pipe did not start moving, it means that the previous caulking of the sockets of sewer pipes was carried out by pouring sulfur. In this option, you will need to get rid of it by burning it. To do this, proceed as follows:
    • gently heat the pipe at the joint along the entire diameter with a blowtorch or burner;
    • lightly, trying not to break the walls of the pipe, then tap it with a hammer;
    • if the bell starts to wobble, try moving it using an adjustable wrench.

    Please note that when working with a burner and sulfur, it is imperative to protect the respiratory tract with a mask so as not to get poisoned by toxic fumes.

  4. After successful dismantling, the walls of the socket must be well cleaned with a chisel and chisel. Pay special attention to the bell seat, as this is where you will place the sealing rubber.
  5. Having previously coated the rubber seal with a special lubricant, place it in the socket.
  6. Place a new structural element in the rubber ring.

Precautions in repairing cast iron pipes

When working with such pipes, be sure to remember that cast iron is a relatively brittle material with its endurance. If you hit the metal hammer hard or too hard, the wall will vibrate, which may cause cracks. If this happens, the replacement of damaged sections will be long and expensive. Therefore, when preparing for dismantling, stock up on the necessary tools in advance.


Don't work alone
, it is unsafe and difficult. Better call someone for help.

It's important to know that sulfur fumes can be harmful to health, so use a gas mask, in extreme cases, a respirator and goggles. Also take care of good air circulation in the room where the repair work is taking place.

After removing the pipe from the socket, take the time and attention to clean the seat of this part. So you will ensure the installation of the sealing material without defects and distortions.

Immediately pack all dismantled material and garbage into construction bags, tie and throw away. An unpleasant smell will come from the old pipeline.

If you are caulking cast iron pipes for the first time and after reading this article, you still do not understand how to do it, be sure to contact a professional. For an experienced craftsman, the process of dismantling cast iron pipes will take 25-30 minutes, while a beginner can spend more than 3 hours and with an unknown result.

This article will discuss the caulking of cast-iron pipes - what this procedure is, how to prepare for it and prevent the need to perform it, as well as an example of caulking using the example of a cast-iron pipe.

Cast iron is a material with very high strength as well as high weight. The density of the structure allows the manufacture of massive and strong products from it that can withstand significant loads, due to which cast iron pipes are used as elements of water supply and sewerage systems.

Even with the development of chemical production and the active use of pipes from various plastic options, when laying an external water supply, cast iron is most often used as a more serious material. are usually used in the construction of sewerage systems with very heavy loads, significantly exceeding household ones.

Buildings of catering establishments, factories processing meat and other animal products, etc. they constantly create a stream of waste, quite often leading to ruptures of cast iron pipes, which should be immediately repaired.

And taking into account the fact that the caulking and caulking of cast iron pipes is quite difficult, experts recommend conducting annual scheduled inspections to avoid time-consuming repairs.

Start and sequence of repairs

It is necessary to think about how to emboss a cast-iron pipe if it is necessary to replace the element and it is impossible to correct the damage directly at the site of the accident.

First of all, they carry out preparatory work, that is, they carefully inspect the pipes and figure out exactly how they are welded to each other.

Quite often you have to deal with pipes filled with a special solution used to glue their parts.

In this case, while underground, the elements can grow together so firmly that they cannot be detached without effort. At the same time, experts recommend using a gas cutter, which allows you to quickly remove the fastening compound and separate the pipes.

Speaking of chasing a cast-iron pipe, it should be borne in mind that the work ahead is not easy and requires turning off the water in the whole house or even the area if an important area is being repaired.

Pipe preparation for repair is carried out using special tools:

  1. Cut off the damaged or burst area with a grinder;
  2. Install a new part of the pipe in place of the damage;
  3. The seam is closed with a construction bandage with cement.

Preventing the Problem from Occurring

It should be borne in mind that with all the excellent physical qualities, cast iron is a rather fragile material. It deforms under the action of water and the chemical reactions that occur in it, so all changes affect the pipes, including temperature changes, which makes them fragile and unable to withstand high pressure.

Chasing cast-iron pipes is a rather complex process, the high-quality implementation of which includes leaving a certain margin for its expansion.

The new part of the pipe is inserted into the socket, after which the seam must be securely fixed with a resin strand. To tightly lay and secure the threads, a tool such as caulking is used.

Practical experience shows that the formation of cracks is only part of the problem, which grows if drastic measures are not taken. Patching holes with the help of special compounds temporarily helps, but sooner or later a replacement will still be required, so it’s easier to deal with the breakdown right away.

Chasing a cast iron pipe

When replacing a sewer riser, a lounger from a common riser, a toilet bowl, etc. many faced the problem of caulking a cast-iron pipe. It turned out that the procedure is not as simple as it seems.

Let us consider in more detail the process of caulking a cast-iron pipe:

    • At the same time, they begin to loosen the socket in different directions;
    • Pry off the rope with a screwdriver;
    • Grab the rope with pliers;
    • Slowly pull the rope, loosening the bell.
  1. If the socket sits firmly, this indicates that it is most likely filled with sulfur and knocking on it is useless. In this case, using a burner or a blowtorch, they start in a circle. In this case, you should also be careful not to damage the socket.

Important: when burning sulfur, it is imperative to wear a respirator, since this procedure causes significant harm to health, even death.

Since chasing cast iron pipes is a very laborious job, as any specialist will tell you, it is wiser to carry out preventive inspections than to wait until a large-scale sewer is required. Since cast iron is still mainly used for external sewer networks as the main material for pipes, which cannot be completely replaced by modern plastic counterparts, prevention should be treated with all due attention. In our article, we will talk about two types of pre-repair and post-repair work - caulking and caulking of cast iron pipes.

Chasing cast iron pipes

Preparation for repair

Sometimes it becomes necessary to repair some part of the sewerage system. However, such repairs can not always be made without disconnecting the pipes. When it is required to replace a pipeline section, you should first inspect the place of future work in order to determine how they were among themselves at one time.

Often the main difficulty is that pipes, especially those located in the ground, are filled with a special compound that prevents them from separating. In this case, the question arises of how to emboss a cast-iron pipe without much effort and time.

It is possible to quickly disconnect the pipes by using a gas cutter to remove the composition, which fastens the elements of the system.

Pipe chasing technology

Do-it-yourself caulking of cast-iron pipes, carried out when replacing a riser or changing a toilet bowl, can create no less of a problem. In this case, it becomes necessary to caulk the branch pipe of the cast-iron pipe as accurately as possible. The embossing process looks like this:

  1. The first action to be taken is to tap the socket of the pipe with a hammer, being careful not to split it, in order to avoid a complete replacement of the riser.
  2. After making sure that the bell moves quite freely and can be released without any problems, since it was caulked with a heel, you can proceed with dismantling:
    • slightly loosen the bell from side to side;
    • pry with a screwdriver and pull the rope a little;
    • firmly grab the rope with pliers;
    • gently, slowly, pull out the rope, while continuing to loosen the tube.

  1. In the case when the bell does not budge after tapping, that is, the caulking of cast-iron pipes was carried out by pouring sulfur, you will have to use the method of burning it out:
    • carefully heat the pipe in a circle with a blowtorch or burner;
    • trying not to damage the pipe, continue gently tapping the pipe with a hammer;
    • when the bell starts to move, slightly loosen it from side to side with an adjustable wrench.

When performing an operation to burn sulfur, it is imperative to wear a respirator so as not to be poisoned by harmful fumes.

  1. After the bell is safely released, it must be cleaned using a chisel or chisel. Particular care should be taken to clean the socket seat, where the sealing rubber will be placed.
  2. Coat the rubber seal with special grease and insert into the socket.
  3. Install a new part in the seal.

Video of the caulking process

How cast-iron pipes are caulked - the video below will show even more clearly.

Chasing pipes

When carrying out, consisting of cast-iron pipes, it is necessary to foresee a method for closing the gaps that invariably remain between the outer side of the inserted part of the pipe and the inner surface of the socket. That is, you should think about how to mint cast-iron pipes. There are two ways to solve the problem, let's consider them in more detail.

Sealing of sockets with cement mixture

The chasing technology looks like this:

  1. Resin seal installation.
  • caulk the resin tourniquet into the socket up to 2/3 of its depth;
  • when forming the first rope ring, wrap the end of the bundle over the ring so that it does not fall into the pipe.

  1. The use of cement mortar.
  • mix cement marking 300-400 with water (by weight) in a ratio of 9:1;
  • the place remaining after compaction of the bundle in the socket should be filled with cement mortar;
  • firmly strike the cement with a chasing and a hammer until the chasing rebounds from the cement;
  • for a better setting of the solution after caulking, cover it with a wet rag.

To increase work productivity, it is worth using broadened caulking and embossing, which will speed up the process by about 30%.

If work is carried out in winter, cement should be mixed with hot water, and the joints must be insulated after sealing.

Sealing of sockets with asbestos cement

Another way to caulk a cast-iron pipe is to use an asbestos-cement mixture. The process has two differences:

  1. A dry mixture of asbestos fiber and cement is prepared by mixing them in a ratio of 1:2.
  2. Before direct use, the dry mixture is moistened with water: from 10 to 12% of the initial mass of the mixture.

The chasing technology itself looks similar to the first method.

On this, a rather laborious work - chasing and / or chasing cast-iron pipes - is completed. To achieve the best result, however, such work should be entrusted to qualified specialists. Only in this case, you can be sure that everything will be done correctly, and you will not have to deal with more complex repairs, eliminating the flaws of poor-quality installation or dismantling.

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