Re: Removing or Melting Lead From Cast Iron Pipe (Tub Drain)

Posted by LonnythePlumber on July 05, 2004 at 22:42:33:
In response to Re: Removing or Melting Lead From Cast Iron Pipe (Tub Drain)
: Hello all, : I need to remove lead from a cast iron drain pipe that my old tub was connected to. A propane tourch just doesn't seem to be getting the lead hot enough to melt and a chisel doesn't seem to be doing the trick either. Any advice from someone experienced at this would be very helpful. : Thanks in advance, : Sean A better replacement is to cut the cast iron pipe back close to the stack. Leave a couple of inches to reattach a no-hub clamp and dig out the residue in the remaining cast iron before re-running your drain pipe. You may need to grind off the CI lettering to get a smooth connection. A pencil torch with just regular propane will melt off the solder that is around the brass and lead pipe connection. I did this for two decades before moving to mapp and a swivel tip. Make sure you dig out all the old lead from inside the tub pipe if you continue this method. LonnythePlumber

Posted by LonnythePlumber on July 05, 2004 at 22:42:33:

In response to Re: Removing or Melting Lead From Cast Iron Pipe (Tub Drain)

: Hello all,

: I need to remove lead from a cast iron drain pipe that my old tub was connected to. A propane tourch just doesn't seem to be getting the lead hot enough to melt and a chisel doesn't seem to be doing the trick either. Any advice from someone experienced at this would be very helpful.

: Thanks in advance,
: Sean

A better replacement is to cut the cast iron pipe back close to the stack. Leave a couple of inches to reattach a no-hub clamp and dig out the residue in the remaining cast iron before re-running your drain pipe. You may need to grind off the CI lettering to get a smooth connection.
A pencil torch with just regular propane will melt off the solder that is around the brass and lead pipe connection. I did this for two decades before moving to mapp and a swivel tip. Make sure you dig out all the old lead from inside the tub pipe if you continue this method.
LonnythePlumber

Replies to this post

Re: Removing or Melting Lead From Cast Iron Pipe (Tub Drain) CEA 12:50:56 07/06/04(1)
- Re: Removing or Melting Lead From Cast Iron Pipe (Tub Drain) LonnythePlumber 13:03:46 07/06/04(0)