Cast Iron Pipe Descaling

Pipe Descaling is the most effective and safest method to clean out aging cast iron pipe. Compared to hydro jetting it is a much safer method. A sewer camera inspection will confirm the condition of your cast iron sewer line prior to using any method.

Typically 60 - 100 years is the expected life expectancy.

The life span of cast iron sewer pipes can vary depending on the following:

• Grease - The fats in grease get broken down into fatty acids and glycerol. These fatty acids bind to calcium found in sewer pipes to create a soap compound. This causes the grease fat compound to stick to the ceiling of the sewer pipes, creating a stalactite type structures.
• Detergents - laundry& hand soaps
• Type of Soil - Some soil can me more acidic and cause the process of corrosion quicker.
• Chemical drain cleaners - Some cleaners contain sulfuric acid which can weaken your aging cast iron pipe. Many times these chemicals cause more harm then good to your sewer pipes. Especially if your problem is caused by tree roots which typically grow in at the top of your sewer pipe joints and these chemicals flow at the bottom of the pipe and don't even reach or address the actual problem.

The greatest benefit is not having to dig up and replace the aging cast iron pipe if traditional methods are not able to clean the sewer pipe and have it in operating condition. Using a traditional drain machine cable or high pressure hydro jetting can make conditions worse. Pipe Descaling is the most effective method of cleaning all build up on cast iron sewer pipe inner walls. Pro-longing the life of cast iron sewer pipes.

It all depends on the amount of build up, length of pipe to be descaled, and the condition of the cast iron pipe. Typically a pipe descale cleaning takes a few hours to ensure and visually check to make sure the cast iron sewer pipe is cleaned and ready for service.