I'm planning to have my bathroom renovated and it has a cast iron stack in it. It was recommended to me that I replace this with ABS since cast iron has a tendency to fail(?). Does anyone have an opinion on this?
Cast iron pipes are strong and last, almost, forever. If you replace the line with any plastic piping, you will instantly notice how much noisier your plumbing system is. If it isn't currently leaking, leave it alone.
Well cast iron will last a long time especially if it's not buried. Sounds like the cast iron you are talking about is inside a wall. Cast iron over time can start to flake because of rust so if thats what they are talking about when they say fail I guess that could be right but it would have to be very old. I have pulled cast iron pipe out of bldgs that was 30 plus years old and still in good condition so it can be on a case by case basis. Would have to see the pipe first before I tell if someone is trying to sell you something that you do not need.
The cast iron stack is in the corner of the bathroom at the back. It's not concealed in the wall. From outward appearances it looks to be in good condition but whose to say what the inside of the pipe looks like. As part of the reno it will be buried behind the tub surround so if it ever needs to be replaced everything will have to be ripped out. The bathroom was an addition onto the original structure but I don't know when it was built. The original house was built in '37.
If it does'nt look bad then I would probably not bother with it. The outside of the pipe usually gives a good indication of the inside also. If not leaking I would leave it alone like majak said.
