Do you live in a house built prior to 1970? If you do, chances are you are one of the many people in Ottawa who has cast iron piping as a part of your plumbing system. For more information on your current plumbing system, or for professional cast iron drain pipe repair in Ottawa, call Canada Plumbing today. Our team is ready to get started!
What is Cast Iron Piping?
Cast iron piping has been used in homes and businesses since the early 1800s. In the beginning, the first cast iron pipes were used solely for water distributions. It wasn’t until the 1890s that it was discovered to be beneficial for drainage systems.
The cast iron pipe revolutionized the plumbing industry, allowing anyone to use indoor plumbing. Cast iron pipes are solid, allowing for rapid installation, and for plumbing systems to be located anywhere in a building. Today, cast iron piping is still commonly used and is installed in buildings to this day. Its fire-resistant properties and the low-cost of piping makes it one of the ideal choices for commercial plumbing installations.
The average life span for cast iron drain piping ranges from 40 years to 100+ years. However, regardless of its impressive durability, there are a variety of factors that affect its lifespan.
These include, but are not limited to:
- Where the pipe was manufactured
- Whether the pipe as properly installed with the correct slope
- The soil conditions that the pipe is buried in
- Whether the piping was installed with the welded seam facing down
- The volume of chemicals regularly poured down the drain
- The age of the piping
At Canada Plumbing, our team of professional, experienced and knowledgeable plumbers provide comprehensive cast iron drain pipe repair in Ottawa to remedy the issues.
However, at Canada Plumbing, we believe cast iron piping is considered inferior when compared to ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), as these pipes are resistant to corrosion, allowing for a longer lifespan.
Common issues revolving around cast iron pipes are reoccurring blockages due to their rough interior conditions, allowing debris and other materials to stick to the walls. Due to the metallic properties, cast iron pipes inevitably rust from the inside out. In addition, cast iron piping installed aboveground will develop pinholes, where in contrast, underground piping will rot at the bottom to form large holes. If you see rust spots forming on the exposed cast iron piping or water backing up from the floor drain, contact Canada Plumbing for professional cast iron drain pipe repair in Ottawa.
At Canada Plumbing, we are professional cleaning and drainage specialists. Whether you have a difficult clog that won’t clear, need a new drainage system installed, or need a cast iron drain pipe repair, our team has the latest equipment and technology to ensure the job is done right the first time.
