Hey everyone! I'm looking to buy a home in North Texas built in 1976, but I've learned it has cast iron pipes and a slab foundation. A plumber took a look and mentioned that the main sewer line is corroded and has debris buildup. I'm trying to get the seller to clean or replace it. Given this situation, is this a red flag for the sale? I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice!
3 Answers
So, cast iron pipes can decay from the inside due to sewage and standing water, which means they'll likely need replacing eventually. I've seen many cast iron systems swapped for PVC for this reason. If you love the house, just be ready to tackle this pipe issue down the line.
If the pipes are currently working without issues, it might be tough to negotiate with the seller for any kind of deal. Cast iron does have a finite lifespan, so if you're keen on the rest of the house, just start budgeting for a replacement or relining in the future.
We bought a century-old home with original cast iron pipes four years ago; the condition was worse than yours. They’ve held up so far, but we’re expecting about $23K to replace them. We wish we had asked our realtor about negotiating the price for the repairs. If you do go through with the house, getting a plumber in to check for fiberglass lining could save you costs later on since it might extend the life of those pipes significantly.
The pipes seem fine for now, and we really love the house, but it does worry us that the pipes could fail sooner than we expect.