I've got a plumbing problem
- Thread starter Chris142
- Start date
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Yeah, job one is to avoid the slab. I added a shower to our utility room to be used by the pool crowd - I had to raise the floor on that end - but with a nice HD handle and a grippy step - it serves the purpose …
How cold does it get there? could the lines be run up an outside wall and through the attic, then down, insulating the lines of course.
This seems like a better solution. Find a plumber who can think literally outside the box.
Only advice I will give here is to get multiple quotes and research the plumbers before hiring any of them. And maybe ask the plumbers: "Imagine this is your house and you need to fix it in the simplest way possible. What would you do?"
I've seen this situation before. Pipes back then were most likely galvanized iron, and would rust shut inside eventually. The biggest problem I see is that you don't know what the pipes from the street/water meter are made of. If they are also galvanized, or Heaven forbid, lead, the quote may go higher than that.
Almost all the homes here in FL have piping under the slab. In fact my neighbor just had an under slab leak. I would have cut the slab and repaired the leak. But she opted to run PEX overhead through the attic to replace ALL of the lines! This included opening and re-patching/painting every wall where there was a connection on the other side. Also had to install a pipe chase to supply the kitchen sink. I think the entire job was about $9000.00.
The piping in her house was copper, but when that is buried, even when using a plastic sheet made to protect it, they will leak eventually.
Here is what you're dealing with:
Almost all the homes here in FL have piping under the slab. In fact my neighbor just had an under slab leak. I would have cut the slab and repaired the leak. But she opted to run PEX overhead through the attic to replace ALL of the lines! This included opening and re-patching/painting every wall where there was a connection on the other side. Also had to install a pipe chase to supply the kitchen sink. I think the entire job was about $9000.00.
The piping in her house was copper, but when that is buried, even when using a plastic sheet made to protect it, they will leak eventually.
Here is what you're dealing with:
I'm sure the pipes are galvanized, your problems are just beginning. Soon all the water pipes will have the same problem . It's not possible to clean the inside of a 1/2 or 3/4 galvanized pipe . Being on a slab just adds to the fun . If you don't have good running water your home won't have any value other than a storage unit
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Firstly, terminate both C+H supplies at the source or Tee to prevent burst or leaks.
Run piping to attic, across then down the interior wall cavity. Don't know codes will support this, but do take care to insulate for freezing
I am in a log cabin on a hill in the forest with solid exterior and many solid interior walls.
Seen some phunny and creative plumbing in my time.
Good luck. BTW that quote was ridiculous even figuring in for the WQF - Wife Quote Factor
Run piping to attic, across then down the interior wall cavity. Don't know codes will support this, but do take care to insulate for freezing
I am in a log cabin on a hill in the forest with solid exterior and many solid interior walls.
Seen some phunny and creative plumbing in my time.
Good luck. BTW that quote was ridiculous even figuring in for the WQF - Wife Quote Factor
From what you have said, there is no option to fixing your 70 year old house plumbing. It will all fail after a while. This will be huge and hugely expensive. Explore all of the options. Always get three bids before proceeding.
To someone else's question, yes it gets cold in the high desert in the winter. Very cold.
To someone else's question, yes it gets cold in the high desert in the winter. Very cold.
50's pipe is galvanized steel. Don't waste you're time trying to clear it. You're lucky their not leaking. Re-route pex or copper FROM pex or copper. You don't want to tie in new work to old pipes. The real problem is cut and capping those rusted shut lines. They may spring a leak one day. Need to find their supply and cap it off. Pex thru the walls from the nearest hot/cold source. You're gonna have the same problem with the drain. That's also galvanized steel...Big job on you're hands. Wherever that galvanized steel drain connects to cast iron is going to need to be replaced with PVC. Cast Iron does not internally rust. Most sinks and tubs from the 50's run galvanized steel to a 4" cast iron drain line.
"....and then there's copper, which is the only kind I use" It's expensive, but it costs more because it saves more"
from the movie Moonstruck!
from the movie Moonstruck!
You might as well do all the plumbing, its going to cost you a lot to piecemeal it.
As said by a few others, re-pipe using PEX.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2024
- Messages
- 1,634
Metal pipes in the slab what year was the home built?
Sounds like it's the drain line. Turn it into a storage room. Cut the water off to it.
Similar threads
