cast iron pipe water stains

[frankgal454]

Hi. I get a funky odor that seems to originate from my basement. The odor is not always there and sometimes really strong. I can't pinpoint where it's coming from nor what the smell is. It's not a an obvious sewage smell yet its not pleasant. It actually is almost a little sweet. I attached a picture. Is it normal to have these stains around joints of cast iron pipe. Thought maybe the smell might be coming from this. Thanks.

I should have mentioned, the pipes are dry to touch.

 

[frodo]

i am wondering, i see your duct work, where is the drain for the ac unit?

is their a floor drain anywhere ?

 

[frankgal454]

Hi. Thanks for responding. Ac unit is in tje attic. No floor drain.
I live in NYC.

 

[frodo]

no drains what so ever in the basement? I see a faucet, dryer vent, flue pipe, and a rag joint for hooking up duct to a unit.

you may have a floor drain you dont know about.

and yes, your CI pipes need replacing, the lead joints are leaking.

if you had the tools, you MIGHT be able to repack the lead. the oakum Might still be in good shape.

thats a crap shoot

 

[frankgal454]

No. Definitely no floor drains. My plan was to cut out all cast iron and replace with pvc except for main drain which exits basement through foundation about shoulder height and runs underground to street. My only concern is, is a mission band connector at the main acceptable?

 

[frodo]

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=4%27%27+pl++to+4%27%27+ci+mission+band&view=detailv2&&id=DF69DC5726C85D593BE2D701DD1DD19AD1547EEF&selectedIndex=0&ccid=KDMnjvP4&simid=608018218567991766&thid=OIP.M2833278ef3f8202f70bb5c5b0a5bbea6o0

you will need the correct band

4'' plastic x 4'' cast iron

 

[frankgal454]

Thanks for the link. I looked up the coupler and saw there is one for CI and XHCI. Can you tell from picture what I have. They are two different part numbers. Thanks again.

 

[johnjh2o]

Look on the hubs it will be stamped XH for extra heavy or STD for standard. I alas don't think the joints are leaking.

 

[frankgal454]

So what are the stains on the pipes? I figured that the pipes are just old and decaying and the walls have thinned allowing fluid/smell to leach through the pipe. The house was built in early 70's. Would the pipes have been stamped back then? Thanks

 

[johnjh2o]

The markings are actually raised. I have never seen cast-iron pipe become porous. When it fails it shows up as a crack. The joints don't fail over time if they leak it would have been from day one.

 

[frankgal454]

Thanks again. Now I'm not sure what I'm going to do.