Pipes and window repairs
Question No. 1
Robert, My name is Claire R., and I live in an older development in Canyon Country.
We recently had a plumbing leak in a wall which we called a plumber for. They opened up the wall where there is metal pipe for sewage from our upstairs.
It was cracked from one end to the other, the housekeeper was there and we weren’t, so we didn’t have a chance to speak directly to the plumber.
This question is out of curiosity, I’ve never heard of this: the pipe was cracked from one end to the other, one long crack, almost looked like it split in half. Is that even possible, could this be something that they did?
I know we had a leak, but I just need to make sure that we weren’t taken advantage of.
— Claire R.
Answer No. 1
Claire, This is very, very common in a cast iron pipe.
Typically the manufacturers of these pipes warranties cast iron for twenty years.
After that time, it is not uncommon for them to crack in this fashion, along the length of the pipe.
We see this so often, in high rises and many other properties, we repair this type of issue all the time.
It sounds like due to the fact that your home is in an older development, it’s likely that this is an original pipe and probably just ran out of life.
Hopefully it didn’t cause too much damage, and you were able to clean and dry out all affected areas prior to closing them up.
Keep an eye out for the remainder of these pipes in your home, there is no reason to tear into your home to replace immediately unless you’re very concerned and able to do so, but just be certain that you’re aware in case there are signs that other pipes are failing.
Good luck to you
Question No. 2
Robert, I’m glad that you’re back at The Signal.
I live in Stevenson Ranch where the developer put in bad windows.
Slightly over two years ago, my husband and I installed 11 new windows to our home and in one of the recent rains, seven of those new windows leaked.
We contacted the manufacturer and a young man came out with a caulking gun and started caulking all of the windows.
My husband’s concern is that this is now going to be a maintenance issue.
The guy said he was using some sort of special caulking and that everything would be fine, but we aren’t sure.
Are we correct with our worry?
— Cindy
Answer No. 2
Cindy, You didn’t elaborate on the type of windows you installed, meaning aluminum or vinyl.
I have to say that if these were my windows, they wouldn’t get away with caulking them, with me.
There would absolutely be words, and they’d be replacing windows because your husband is correct, now you have a maintenance issue.
That caulking will dry out due to weather, and the same leaks will reoccur.
When the average person purchases new windows, it’s not with the expectation that you’ll be doing maintenance like this every few years.
Have a factory rep come out and force their hand to make good on this very large purchase, this should not be happening. Good luck.
Robert Lamoureux has 38 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at robert@imsconstruction. com.