Replacing sewer pipes in an apartment: what is better to change + an example of work

Sewer systems make life easier for people, making it much more comfortable. Unfortunately this does not apply to old communications. They have long fallen into disrepair. Unpleasant odors emanate from old sewer pipes, they are clogged and can crack and leak at any time. Such systems are not able to make life easier, but only add to the hassle. Sooner or later, the replacement of sewers in the apartment will be inevitable. It is better, without waiting for the troubles associated with the old communications, to replace the system as planned.

Choosing material for a new pipeline

For the laying of sewer communications, pipes from:

• ceramics
• polymers
• metal.

Ceramic pipes for sewage

Products from this material are not cheap. Because of this, ceramic pipes are very rarely used for private sewage.

The advantage of such systems is resistance to aggressive environments. Therefore, they are mainly used in the production associated with chemicals.

Ceramic pipes are not cheap, but have high resistance to aggressive environments

Pipes from polymeric materials

Most often, the replacement of sewer pipes in an apartment is carried out using polymer products. Their smooth surface prevents clogging and does not overgrow with time. They are of two types and are made of polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride.

PP Polypropylene

. The most optimal material for laying internal sewers. Such pipes are easy to install. They are resistant to high temperatures and durable.

Polypropylene pipes are durable and have good resistance to high temperatures.

PVC polyvinyl chloride

. Gives products sufficient strength and resistance to ultraviolet. However, PVC pipes emit harmful substances during combustion and heating. In addition, they are unstable to aggressive environments. However, they are quite suitable for replacing sewers in an apartment.

PVC pipes are durable, UV resistant, but emit harmful substances when heated

Metal pipe

As a material for the production of metal pipes, steel and cast iron are used. The low price of steel products, their strength and resistance to high temperatures make it possible to use them for transporting industrial waste in the petrochemical industry. However, due to their high weight and susceptibility to corrosion, they are not suitable for installation in an apartment.

Cast iron pipes for sewage are resistant to aggressive environments, but are not cheap

Cast iron pipes are more expensive than steel, but their resistance to corrosion is much higher. The use of such products for laying sewers in the apartment is quite possible. Only if you are not confused by the decrease in pipe passage time, the complexity of installation due to the weight of the product and the need for special equipment for installation. But cast-iron pipes have high strength and long service life.

How do sewer pipes connect?

• • • With a rubber sleeve. Such a connection is more suitable for cast iron pipes.

Plastic sewer pipes connect

bell-shaped method

. With this method, the end of the pipe is inserted into the expanded part (bell) of the other. To seal the connection using a rubber seal or ring.

When connecting pipes with a bell-shaped method, do not forget to use a rubber seal

To cut the plastic pipe, you can use a hacksaw. Then, to facilitate installation, the chamfer is removed from the edge of the pipe. If this is not done, the sealing lip can be damaged.

Preparing for the replacement process

Before starting all work, a sewage plan in the apartment should be drawn up, which will help determine the number of pipes and additional elements. When compiling it, all plumbing fixtures, places and methods of connecting them to the sewer pipe are taken into account.

Keep in mind that doing a 90 ° turn of the trunk is not worth it.

To avoid clogging, it is not recommended to turn the sewer line 90 °. This rule is not respected here.

Accordingly, the schemes determine what materials will be needed for the work. In addition to pipes with a bell, you may need: an adapter between plastic and cast iron, a compensating branch pipe, revision, crosspiece, coupling, branch, tee.

Dismantling an old cast-iron sewer system

Residents of the upper floors can immediately begin dismantling. But those who have neighbors on top, they need to be warned about the planned work, so that they do not use the sewer for some time. It will be much better if the main riser is replaced in all apartments at the same time. If no one else agrees to change the pipe, you will have to cut out only your part of the riser.

This is done very carefully so as not to damage the pipes going to the neighbors. There is no need to keep old rusty pipes, therefore they can be sawn in a convenient place. Before doing this, you must disconnect all plumbing fixtures so as not to destroy them. Then short sections are disassembled, after which they proceed to the most complex process - dismantling the riser.

To do this, in the middle of the riser, using a pipe cutter or grinder, make two files at a distance of 15 cm and at a slight angle to each other.

Cutting the pipe right to the end is undesirable. Otherwise, the upper part of the riser can pinch the disc of the grinder

Need to make cuts at a slight angle so that you can then cut a pipe section

Then you need to be very careful so that nothing falls into the sewer to remove the cut piece from the pipe. Now there are two pieces of the riser: one hanging from the ceiling and the other sticking out of the lower tee. First, the upper piece is cut, but taking into account the height of the shaped part, which you will then put on the rest of the riser sticking out from the ceiling.

To cut the pipe strictly perpendicular to its axis, you must first stick tape on the cut line

Then remove the bottom piece of the riser. If you can swing it, you need to carefully swing it and pull it up until the pipe comes out of the tee. If the pipe sits firmly, you must first clear the seam between the riser and the tee. And then again try to swing. If these actions do not lead to the desired, you will have to saw off the tee, stepping back a couple of centimeters from the bell. And then, using a special wedge, remove the remainder of the tee in pieces.

During dismantling of the riser, make sure that no pieces of pipe fall into the sewer.It is best to cover the hole with rags.

Installation of a new sewer riser

So, the sewage system in the apartment begins with the installation of a riser. The first step is to connect the tee with a piece of the neighboring pipe sticking out from below. If their diameter is different, use a cuff. Then determine the length of the pipe and cut. Then you need to try on all the components of the riser. To do this, put the pipe all the way on the compensator.

After the installation of the system, the sewage system installed in the apartment with your own hands should be tested

Then insert the resulting structure into the lower tee. Then connect the top of the pipe with a piece of cast-iron pipe protruding from the ceiling.

The fitting room of the riser is made without gaskets.

Mark the fastenings and fix the upper and lower clamps. Then everything is disassembled and put into place already with rubber gaskets.

The use of liquid soap to lubricate the ends of the sewer pipes during installation, facilitates assembly.

Internal Wiring Rules

The sewerage is installed in the apartment, starting from the riser according to the drawn up scheme. After which plumbing fixtures join. In order to prevent internal stress, not only rigid, but also floating mounts are used. What is the difference? A rigid mount prevents the pipe from moving. It is performed using plastic fasteners or a clamp with a bolt seal. Floating mount allows only longitudinal displacement. Perform it in the same way, only without a seal.

Use a special corrugated pipe to mount the toilet

Carrying out such work is based on certain rules:

• In order to avoid leakage of the sewer line, the bells are installed towards the movement of wastewater.
• Shaped parts are not subject to shortening and any change in shape.
• The slope of the sewer line is made in the direction of the riser.
• The riser should not go at right angles to the outlet pipe.
• A pipe with a diameter of 11 cm is brought to the toilet, 0.5 cm to the rest of the plumbing fixtures.

An example of how to sewer in an apartment, look at the video:

After the installation of the system, the sewage system installed in the apartment by oneself should be tested. All connections should be checked for leaks. Usually, if the installation of plastic pipes is carried out according to the rules, using gaskets, no defects are detected. After checking, you can build a frame for masking sewer pipes. And mount the facing.