Pipe repair at exit joint

[RatLabGuy]

Grrrrr

This drain line is leaking right around where it meets the exit like. Copper into what I'm assuming is cast. Our water is acidic and has slowly eaten mist of the copper away.

What is the best way to repair this?
Right now it's a slow drip, and only for the kitchen, so I need a quick patch (epoxy putty?)
But then the right way.... whatever that is...

 

[83oldyoda4x4]

Nothing useful to add...

 

[kaiser715]

Drain, you said...so not under pressure.

Had a cast-iron wye at my mom's house rusted thru after 40 years. When they built the house, the plumber had actually cut and shortened it, and brazed/welded back together. Epoxy putty patch over it 25 years ago and still holding.

 

[CasterTroy]

Looks like brass to copper to cast

I know you're smart and all..but call the man

 

[awheelterd]

Flex seal tape. Let us know how it goes

 

[RatLabGuy]

Nothing useful to add...
View attachment 339099

I'm just about to do exactly this. But thats the short term.

 

[83oldyoda4x4]

I'm just about to do exactly this. But thats the short term.

Looks like a mess with 3 types of metal. At least it is low pressure.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Looks like brass to copper to cast

I know you're smart and all..but call the man

It's just copper into cast. May have a brass braze...? Its original from '67.

What would "the man" do? What is the proper way to fix it? Cut it off flush at the cast, and braze on a new fitting?

 

[Wes]

Couldn’t you get a shark bite fitting and go copper to pex? I’m no plumber. Just spitballing.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Nothing useful to add...
View attachment 339099

Flex seal tape. Let us know how it goes

Aaaaand done

People knock flex seal tape but I've seen it do some pretty amazing things

 

[RatLabGuy]

Couldn’t you get a shark bite fitting and go copper to pex? I’m no plumber. Just spitballing.

The leaky part of the copper is right in front of where it goes into the cast. Hairline crack in the bottom.

 

[Wes]

The leaky part of the copper is right in front of where it goes into the cast. Hairline crack in the bottom.

I feel your pain. My house is older. It has copper all over the place. It’s about time to crawl back under the house and do a leak check. I have a few with weeping joints and pinholes to keep an eye on. Nothing serious, just bugs my ocd.

 

[rockcity]

Some sort of marine epoxy is probably your best short term “fix”

long term, get a dielectric Union between the copper and cast. Or, remove the copper entirely and replace with PVC and screw into the cast.

Edit... stupid me I completely overlooked the leaded joint on the tiny pic on my cheap phone. Lead in some stainless in place of the copper (if you can find anyone that can do it anymore).

 

[Mac5005]

My dad wanted me to suggest to tamp the lead joint between the copper and cast iron with 1/4” punch and hammer.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

I assume it is a 2" pipe?

Remove the copper pipe and packing. Install a Fernco service weight donut into the cast, and insert the new pvc pipe into that.

Fernco 2 in. Service Weight Cast Iron Hub to 2 in. Sch. 40 PVC Compression Donut P22U-205 - The Home Depot

The Fernco 2 in. PVC Compression Coupling eliminates the need for cement and mortar. It is ideal for compression sealing cast-iron sewer pipe. It seals drain, waste and vent connections. The PVC material

www.homedepot.com

 

[shawn]

What would "the man" do?

He deals with it, so you don't have to.

 

[CasterTroy]

He deals with it, so you don't have to.

This
Pulled time doing Lead and Oakum as well as repairs.
If you dont have the tools, nor a fernco coupler laying around...it really is just less effort to call the man

 

[rockcity]

I assume it is a 2" pipe?

Remove the copper pipe and packing. Install a Fernco service weight donut into the cast, and insert the new pvc pipe into that.

Fernco 2 in. Service Weight Cast Iron Hub to 2 in. Sch. 40 PVC Compression Donut P22U-205 - The Home Depot

The Fernco 2 in. PVC Compression Coupling eliminates the need for cement and mortar. It is ideal for compression sealing cast-iron sewer pipe. It seals drain, waste and vent connections. The PVC material

www.homedepot.com

This is pretty slick. I’m usually demolishing old cast for something modern. Or leading 10S stainless pipe into cast. But these fernco adapters are great for PVC.

 

[McCracken]

They have this fiberglass wrap that's impregnated with epoxy you can use. You soak it then wrap it. Wait for a bit and then tighten the wrap again. It'll eventually set and you can call it good.

 

[shawn]

I’m usually demolishing old cast for something modern.

Cast iron is great pipe.... great at leaking after 50 years, I mean.

 

[rockcity]

Cast iron is great pipe.... great at leaking after 50 years, I mean.

Yep. Every time I find it in one of my old houses, fixing it and making it worthwhile isn’t worth the effort. Just tear out and replace.

 

[Ron]

Cast iron is great pipe.... great at leaking after 50 years, I mean.

But what isnt?

Cast then Copper then Polybutyl were the answer til we learned they werent.
Then PVC, which is pretty good all around but has its limitation.
PEX seems to be the "new" normal...but who knows what it will look like in 50 years

 

[shawn]

But what isnt?

There isn't anything perfect. Cast and copper is about as good as it gets. The point is that anything as old as the stuff in Dave's picture just needs to get ripped the fuck out. It is past its useful life.

 

[Ron]

There isn't anything perfect. Cast and copper is about as good as it gets. The point is that anything as old as the stuff in Dave's picture just needs to get ripped the fuck out. It is past its useful life.

right so you agree everythign will be great at leaking after 50 years (or sooner)?

 

[shawn]

right so you agree everythign will be great at leaking after 50 years (or sooner)?

That's why you call the man.

When that cast stub breaks off inside the wall, its his problem, not yours.