Questions about old plumbing/bathroom remodel

[Sonic]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting here. I'm really grateful for any help you guys would care to offer.

I live in a house built sometime around 1900, and as such am not used to the way the plumbing is set up in this house.
When I moved in, the bathroom sink didn't drain because the galvanized pipes are corroded. As the entire bathroom is in awful condition, I decided it was time to just tear everything out and redo the whole bathroom.

My plan was just to replace the old pipes with pvc ones set up the same way. When I opened the wall, I didn't quite like what I saw. Could someone here suggest a more modern way to redo these pipes? Is this really a valid way to connect the drain to the vent?

 

[frodo]

it was hurting my neck


go underneath and remove, replace

what exactly is your question?

my question to you. I mean no disrespect

do you have the skills to perform the task you wish to perform ?

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

That's history right there . Sell you're house to a museum..jk aside it can all be replaced just get an experienced plumber to give you a quote

 

[Sonic]

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear about what I want to do here. I'd like to remove all the pipes seen in the photo except the cast iron soil stack (a plumber and a top notch contractor have said that it's in pretty good shape). It's located just behind the toilet, though it isnt visible in the picture. The plumber said I've been doing a good job replacing lots of other galvanized pipes in this house with pvc. This hose sure needs a ton of work!

In this case however I'm wondering if the plumbing seen in the photo will be up to code if I just replace it with pvc, cause as ExtraMilePlumbing said, the pipes are ancient!

I'd LOVE to have plumber do the work required for me, but I just don't have the money. I got pretty high quotes from a few plumbers. I do have 2 people who are going to help me with the work though. I do need to do the work however, as I have no bathroom sink until the work is done.

BTW frodo, thank you so much for rotating and labeling my photo. I'm posting from my cell phone, and had no idea how to do it.�� The renegade pipe you've labeled goes to the upstairs bathroom.

 

[Mr_David]

Leave the vents as they are unless you see something wrong with them.
Cut the vent just above the lav drain and replace the santee down as far as you want to go. If you're not planning on going down into the stack and floor below then that all you really need to do. Unless you see some unusual deterioration in the pipe don't replace them.

The configuration is okay. The vent for the sink fixture is okay to tie into another vent as long as the tie in is above the flood rim of the sink.

 

[Sonic]

Cool. Thank you for checking it out. I figured I'd better take a good look at what's going on while the wall is open.
The floor below is an unfinished basement, but I don't anticipate any complications as I'm not going to be replacing the main stack.

Thank you for your help.

 

[frodo]

it is not the vent that needs replacing, it would be the lav drain. and lav arm

down into he unfinished apartment. that is where the replacing should be.

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

And don't worry about you're old pipe not passing code , beacuse if I remember right. An inspector cannot fail you on old installations that were by code when they were installed . I'm not sure if that apply a to you

 

[SHR]

The existing drain and vent plumbing looks fine. Similar to how a plumber could install it today. I do not know what you do not like about it, but there is nothing wrong with the design, just worn out. As for ancient...most of the plumbing I deal with everyday looks similar. That is why I am in the home doing service work-the old correctly installed plumbing has worn out and has to be repaired/replaced.

 

[frodo]

And don't worry about you're old pipe not passing code , beacuse if I remember right. An inspector cannot fail you on old installations that were by code when they were installed . I'm not sure if that apply a to you

when you add to /repair/ alter plumbing

it must meet code.

if you are working in the bathroom of an old house, the bathroom must meet code not the kitchen,

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

Ok thank you for that frodo,and that's why we like you here .

 

[Sonic]

I agree with what you are saying, and I am aiming to meet code, which is why I posted here.
I was aprehensive as to the layout because before I decided to redo the whole bathroom, I just wanted a working sink. I tried to auger it out, but quickly realized that the pipes were crazy old and corroded. However the way the pipes are set up when viewed from underneath make it a bit difficult to maneuver the auger in the first place.

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

Wow I'm surprised they used copper for you're supply at that time

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

Just remove and replace those pies you can start in sections by reattaching with no hub bands

 

[frodo]

you are going to need a sawzall and a pipe wrench

 

[Zanne]

I'd add to wear gloves and watch out for the spiders. Hopefully they will just be garden variety harmless ones, but keep an eye open for black widows or brown recluses.

 

[Sonic]

The galvanized pipes run parallel to the floor. Combined with the number of turns, it makes it pretty difficult to maneuver an auger. Is there anything I can do to make my life easier in the future should I need to use one? Perhaps I could install a cleanout at some strategic point?

Also I know it's hard to tell just from looking at a photo, but there's a pretty rusty section of 4" pipe. It's the only section of 4" pipe that looks like that. Would you recommend I replace it or leave it alone?

This house is such a headache for me. Thank you all so much for your help!

 

[Zanne]

Personally, I would replace the rusty pipe. You don't want it leaking.