Anonymous
Post 12/18/2025 22:23     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our drain line recently backed up - we were home so the flooding wasn’t terrible. We had someone come out and do a camera inspection today and they recommended descaling the old cast iron line (house is about 90 years old). Has anyone been there, done that? Company quoted about $3800 and I’d like to get some other quotes - any recommendations?


Sorry OP, that sounds like a temporary fix. We were in the same situation a few years ago and decided to fully address it and have ours pipe bursted and replaced in full with pvc. This can cost anywhere from $15-$40k. Did they confirm that there weren’t any holes or bends where the pipe is failing?


OP here - yes, they confirmed with a camera that the pipe itself is structurally fine, and that the issue is buildup on the walls of the pipe. There aren't tree roots or anything that have come through the walls of the pipe, either.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2025 15:58     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
What about that hard resin/polymer/whatever it is insert that lines the inside of the pipe? Seems like a more permanent solution, maybe.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2025 14:41     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Anonymous wrote:Our drain line recently backed up - we were home so the flooding wasn’t terrible. We had someone come out and do a camera inspection today and they recommended descaling the old cast iron line (house is about 90 years old). Has anyone been there, done that? Company quoted about $3800 and I’d like to get some other quotes - any recommendations?


Sorry OP, that sounds like a temporary fix. We were in the same situation a few years ago and decided to fully address it and have ours pipe bursted and replaced in full with pvc. This can cost anywhere from $15-$40k. Did they confirm that there weren’t any holes or bends where the pipe is failing?
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2025 14:07     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Where are you located ?
H Two O plumbing.


Thanks - we are in VA. Looks like they only service MoCo. I’ll look around.


They do some part of VA call them.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 21:27     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Anonymous wrote:Seems expensive but depend on length of line. I’d look into sleeving it as well or it will scale up again


Thanks - it’s about 100 feet to where the line meets the county’s main. They jet it after the descaling, which adds to the cost. I’m going to shop around a bit to see if I can get some quotes.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 21:25     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Anonymous wrote:Where are you located ?
H Two O plumbing.


Thanks - we are in VA. Looks like they only service MoCo. I’ll look around.
Anonymous
Post 12/17/2025 13:03     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Where are you located ?
H Two O plumbing.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 19:24     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Seems expensive but depend on length of line. I’d look into sleeving it as well or it will scale up again
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2025 18:51     Subject: Descaling old cast iron drain line
Our drain line recently backed up - we were home so the flooding wasn’t terrible. We had someone come out and do a camera inspection today and they recommended descaling the old cast iron line (house is about 90 years old). Has anyone been there, done that? Company quoted about $3800 and I’d like to get some other quotes - any recommendations?