Cast iron pipes

Need some quick professional advise. I had Mr. Rooter out to unclog my kitchen sink. They used the machine they had but brought out what looked like mud. He said it was mud and looked as though I had a busted pipe under my foundation. He pulled out the camera next and showed me that the bottom was open to the ground (I guess that's what I saw). He said that cast iron pipes only last about 30 to 35 years before they corrode. My house is 35 years old. I googled cast iron pipes and most literature says that stuff lasts 100s of years......Can you give me any advise on this subject? Thanks

CI can last a very long time, but it is not guaranteed. If the slope is wrong so water sits in there, or you use lots of drain cleaner materials, or don't flush the toilet after a #1, you can eat the stuff up much faster. Some soils are more problematic, too. The 'Rooter' guys don't have the best reputation. You might want to get a second opinion. Some are great, but there seem to be too many exceptions.

The cast iron below has a band aid on it. Still didn't fix it.

The cast Iron in my house is 90 years old with no problems so I'm sure ithas a longer life than 30-35.

bpetey said:

The cast Iron in my house is 90 years old with no problems so I'm sure ithas a longer life than 30-35.

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Actually cast iron is available in different weights. extra heavy and std weight. The extra heavy was the most common. I have seen the std weight fail in the time frame mentioned, and some sooner.

John

cast iron can deteriorate and crack like any other plumbing material. If the guy showed you a video where a pipe was filled with mud/dirt/roots, then it probably has cracked. If all you saw was a big pool of murky water, then your drainage system might have a low spot. Either way, it's going to take big $$$ to fix, and if in doubt, you might want to get a 2nd opinion just to be sure.

Cast iron kitchen sink lines can rust out and perforate from the bottom.
The same thing will happen to galvanized drains on kitchens.
Cast iron does go bad in time. I do get calls to replace it.