Cast Iron Downpipe Removal

[limakilo]

Hi guys,

We have a downpipe with a hopper. Both are cracked/corroded inside and are constantly getting blocked. I've got PVCu replacement which I intended to use today after I removed the CI.

Well, I can't get it off. I assumed (and wrongly) they are fitted with some type of bolt I could unscrew. After discovering this I was kind of stumped as to how to get them out, as they're still very firm.

Decided to cut the heads of the bolts with a 4" angle grinder, but the angle and tight space doesn't allow me to do all of them. Then I put a grinding disc on and grinded one off. The thing is still ridged.

I've tried giving it a bang with lump hammer, using a chisel to get a bit of a gap which I have but it's fairly hard going. I expect it may need a bit more firmer action.

Anybody have any top tips? Would a multi tool work with a diamond blade to perhaps cut behind the collar? Or maybe a larger angle grinder to cut directly through either side of the collars?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[datarebal]

You need to get the fixings out of the brickwork.
Cut the ears off the pipe with fixings intact. then a few taps with a hammer. Then nail bar under the ears and pull .
If you leave the fixings in they will do damage further down the road

 

[limakilo]

You need to get the fixings out of the brickwork.
Cut the ears off the pipe with fixings intact. then a few taps with a hammer. Then nail bar under the ears and pull .
If you leave the fixings in they will do damage further down the road

Basically cut straight on where the red line is?

 

[datarebal]

Yes , but that one will be tricky as you have cut the mail head off

 

[limakilo]

Yes , but that one will be tricky as you have cut the mail head off

That's not the only one either. But as long as I can actually get to it, I think I might be okay.

 

[limakilo]

You need to get the fixings out of the brickwork.
Cut the ears off the pipe with fixings intact. then a few taps with a hammer. Then nail bar under the ears and pull .
If you leave the fixings in they will do damage further down the road

If anybody is curious, yes it did hurt when that bit of kit broke. Luckily I wasn't up a ladder, but sadly I was below a nice PVC windowsill that objected to my head moving rapidly.

Probably going to have to go and buy a new one, possibly not a roughneck one.

 

[datarebal]

No not really

 

[oldbutnotdead]

When you do eventually get them loose, beware of their weight esp if you're up a ladder trying to move them.

 

[limakilo]

When you do eventually get them loose, beware of their weight esp if you're up a ladder trying to move them.

All sorted and new kit on, thank you for the help guys, much appreciated.