ChiTownBlues
New Member
Hi All,
I have a question about what is proper and what is code as it pertains to a building sewer repair in Chicago, and can use the forum’s expertise. I just had sewer work done in my basement for a renovation three years ago and I am already having problems with the sewer line, namely leaking water at the floor connection.
Backstory: My clay building sewer had long been partially separated just below the floor at the 90. As you know, the bill to constantly cut roots out along the whole 125 year old line is substantial so the plumber proposed we replace the first 8’ feet of clay below concrete floor to replace worst (loose) sections and to chop out 5” root trunks from the dirt around pipes. He also spec’d out a 6” pvc clean out to rise above the floor to get 6” cutters for future maintenance. In terms of material he used clay to match existing clay sewer and this was extended up through the foundation and transitioned to pvc at floor level. Seemed all good to me at the time. Except a year later waste water began leaking through cracks in the clay spigot end (between mortar and spigot). Bad.
Plumber removed mortar and found the spigot/bell part had cracked. Maybe the Hvac guys bumped it while replacing the furnace weeks earlier? I don’t know. Anyways this seems like a poor design to have such a fragile joint for such an important function. Furthermore, I found he had made seam between clay and pvc with oakum and mortar. The male pvc sitting on top of clay spigot. Seems like another questionable thing as well don’t imagine pvc is made to fit into clay without some sort of special adapter.
This seam was replaced twice since and still continues to leak. Once with mortar (lasted 6 months) and most recently with epoxy (lasted 9 months). Thoughts?
When I questioned the design (using clay) he said he was following the strict Chicago municipal code. Thanks for weighing in here.
I have a question about what is proper and what is code as it pertains to a building sewer repair in Chicago, and can use the forum’s expertise. I just had sewer work done in my basement for a renovation three years ago and I am already having problems with the sewer line, namely leaking water at the floor connection.
Backstory: My clay building sewer had long been partially separated just below the floor at the 90. As you know, the bill to constantly cut roots out along the whole 125 year old line is substantial so the plumber proposed we replace the first 8’ feet of clay below concrete floor to replace worst (loose) sections and to chop out 5” root trunks from the dirt around pipes. He also spec’d out a 6” pvc clean out to rise above the floor to get 6” cutters for future maintenance. In terms of material he used clay to match existing clay sewer and this was extended up through the foundation and transitioned to pvc at floor level. Seemed all good to me at the time. Except a year later waste water began leaking through cracks in the clay spigot end (between mortar and spigot). Bad.
Plumber removed mortar and found the spigot/bell part had cracked. Maybe the Hvac guys bumped it while replacing the furnace weeks earlier? I don’t know. Anyways this seems like a poor design to have such a fragile joint for such an important function. Furthermore, I found he had made seam between clay and pvc with oakum and mortar. The male pvc sitting on top of clay spigot. Seems like another questionable thing as well don’t imagine pvc is made to fit into clay without some sort of special adapter.
This seam was replaced twice since and still continues to leak. Once with mortar (lasted 6 months) and most recently with epoxy (lasted 9 months). Thoughts?
When I questioned the design (using clay) he said he was following the strict Chicago municipal code. Thanks for weighing in here.
