Diy waste pipe fix or not?

MsPennyMinder

Hi 

So (see attached pics) I'm having waste pipe issues. I'm getting a big leak from where the small pipe attaches to the main pipe. I've been adviced that it likely needs resealed (...and the moss riped out likely ) but I'd don't have a lot of money so....is this something I could do myself as an amateur DIY-er? Even as a temporary fix? Assuming I can get up to it? I don't mind trying to fix things myself but I'm  fairly new to anything plumbing related. Help?

(And yes I do think the whole pipe would be better replaced but that's a whole 'nother nightmare right now)

MikeJXE

The main stack could have a blockage thats causing it 

greyteam1959

The rusty crack on the main pipe would suggest it has been blocked for ages.
Full of water frozen = crack.

ThisIsWeird

That is a nice pipe! It'll look fab when painted - I wonder if white or black would be best?

Anyhoo, it's weird that it's leaking, as the waste pipe is going in at an angle, so I hope it ain't due to a blockage. It could be that the waste pipe just ain't long enough, and needs to go in more. 
You have a ladder? Set it up, and tie the top to the cast pipe. Clean out whatever is around the plastic waste pipe, and see what you have. Post close up pics.
And don't fall off.
A potential awkward bit is that the waste pipe connections - elbows - appear to be solvent welded together, so you won't be able to dismantle them. But hopefully there are work-arounds.

GDB2222

First of all, open the manhole that the big pipe discharges into. Then run some water through the plastic pipe, and check that it is running freely through the manhole. If it’s all free flowing, and stops when you stop running water into the plastic pipe, you haven’t got a blockage.

If Weird is right and the plastic pipe doesn’t go far enough into the big pipe, you probably shouldn’t try to fix that. Just rake out the putty that’s been used to seal round the joint and replace it. You could use glazier’s putty, or something called plumbers Mait. It should last a while. Maybe someone can recommend something better? 

ThisIsWeird

I was going to suggest - if the waste pipe is just a bit too short - to get a few inches of similar or slightly larger pipe, slice it down one side, and fit it over the existing one, (cut at the top), slide it a couple of inches further into the cast pipe, and reseal. 
The existing pipe and fittings look as tho' they cannot be moved as they are solvent type.
Alternatively, cut the existing pipe an inch-ish beyond that last fitting, and extend the pipe using a solvent straight coupling. That should give it an extra inch or two in length.

GDB2222

ThisIsWeird said:

I was going to suggest - if the waste pipe is just a bit too short - to get a few inches of similar or slightly larger pipe, slice it down one side, and fit it over the existing one, (cut at the top), slide it a couple of inches further into the cast pipe, and reseal. 
The existing pipe and fittings look as tho' they cannot be moved as they are solvent type.
Alternatively, cut the existing pipe an inch-ish beyond that last fitting, and extend the pipe using a solvent straight coupling. That should give it an extra inch or two in length.

That pipe could be decades old, and very brittle. So, handle it with great care.

MsPennyMinder

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to see about getting up to look at it. Is there a way to tell if there is a block in the main pipe or if it is just the joint not fitting correctly?

ThisIsWeird

As GDB says above^

Could you take a photo of the bottom of that cast pipe, so we can see what it connects in to?

Eldi_Dos

MsPennyMinder said:

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to see about getting up to look at it. Is there a way to tell if there is a block in the main pipe or if it is just the joint not fitting correctly?

Get a full flow of water going into pipe from above and your pipe then tap downpipe to see if it sounds hollow or full.
May even be able to tell where blockage, if any, starts.

ThisIsWeird

Good idea.

What flows down the plastic waste pipe, MPM? Basin? Bath? If so, plug in, get a few gallons in there, release...

The sound down the pipe at the bottom should be quite clear, I'd have thought.