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Author:
Tech0515 (PA)
Hello All,
I have a large pipe in my basement (assuming sewer) and there are 2 copper line next to it. The large pipe seems to be sweating a lot. What is the best way to insulate. Is that even the problem or is there a bigger issue?
[s296.photobucket.com]
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
I don't think that's condensation. It appears to be a leak on the sewer pipe. It may take a bit of investigating to determine where the leak is. The pipes may be running up in a chase .
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Author:
Tech0515 (PA)
Thank you for your response.
That area is in the basement. Only place I have visibility. It runs inside the wall through the living room to the upstairs bathroom. Is there something in the bathroom (toilet, shower) I should check for or am I going to have to rip out the walls section by section to see where its coming from.
When I looked at it earlier today, there was visible water. We were getting ready to go out and everyone was using the bathroom (assuming thats why?) When we got home and I looked, there didn't seem to be anything on the pipe besides water marks. This is when i took the pictures.
Edit: I was just messing around. Seems like water comes down when the toilet flushes. Any advice? Bad seal, maybe?
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
A bad wax seal. Pull the toilet and replace it.
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
If that is from a 2nd floor, it isn't likely a wax ring, it is more likely to be a crack in a pipe. Bad wax rings usually show up around the toilet itself, or on the ceiling directly below. You may be looking at a lavatory drain leaking where it connects to the stack if it is galvanized. That would account for small amounts of water when the toilet is used also (as most people wash their hands)
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Author:
packy (MA)
my guess is a cracked stack. sorry.. it is a fairly big and messy repair depending on the location of the crack.
you can carefully cut away some of the floor that shows in the basement. you might be able to see something from there.
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Author:
Paul48 (CT)
I missed the fact it was on the 2nd floor and showing in the basement. That's gonna take some exploration.
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Author:
Tech0515 (PA)
Well that is definitely not good news. lol.
On another note, they built a wall directly around the sewer line all the way up so although i have to cut open the wall, I know exactly where it is and it is fairly easy to get too.
Thank you everyone. Learning first hand what its like to be a first time home owner. Lucky me.
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Author:
packy (MA)
the good news is that if it is a cracked stack the replacement doesn't take that long nor is it that expensive.
there is more time spent opening up and protecting the surroundings than there is making a couple of sawzall cuts, sliding a couple of fernco's (yes in this case i violate the law and use fernco's) and slipping in a piece of PVC.
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
It is also easier to repair the wall if they built a pipe chase. You only have a small area to do repairs on instead of an entire wall. If you can't match the paint, contrast it and call it an accent wall.
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Author:
packy (MA)
or as an old timer is worked with decades ago used to say.. "leave it open and plant a vine on the pipe"...
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
Inspection Scope
good hunting
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
m & m (MD)
Bern- I can't read the manufacturers' name on that scope. Help me out.
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Author:
packy (MA)
thought you would recognize the day-glo green big box store brand...
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
don't know the manufacturer
just grabbed a shot from 'bing search' as an example
I'm such an antique I still use an optical borescope
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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