Soil Stack Repair & Replacement

Your soil stack—the main vertical drain pipe—carries wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, and utility fixtures to your building’s main sewer line while venting gases safely through the roof. In many older homes across the Alle-Kiski Valley, cast-iron stacks are reaching the end of their service life. Corrosion, cracking, and internal scaling can cause slow drains, sewer gas odors, and hidden leaks behind walls. John Shelton Plumbing provides expert soil stack repair and replacement for residential and light commercial properties, combining accurate diagnosis with clean, code-compliant work.

How to Tell a Soil Stack Is Failing

Warning signs often start subtly and then grow into larger problems if they’re ignored. Call a professional if you notice any of the issues below, especially in older cast-iron systems.

• Multiple fixtures gurgle or drain slowly—especially on upper floors
• Recurring clogs that return soon after cleaning
• Sewer odors in bathrooms or basements
• Water stains or damp spots along interior chases

Our Diagnostic Approach

We start with targeted inspection to avoid unnecessary demolition. A sewer camera inspection helps locate cracks, corrosion blisters, and offsets. If we need to pinpoint exact runs behind walls or floors, we’ll combine camera work with electronic line locating so we open only what’s necessary and map the most efficient repair plan.

Repair vs. Replacement

Sectional Repair

When damage is localized, we replace only the failed portion. We transition from cast iron to PVC/ABS with approved couplings, restoring flow and eliminating leaks while keeping disruption minimal. This approach works well when the rest of the soil stack is structurally sound.

Full Stack Replacement

For heavily corroded stacks, a full replacement prevents chronic problems and future opening of finished walls. We design new runs, tie in vents correctly, and align with fixture branches to improve performance and reduce noise. Our team also coordinates timing to keep bathrooms usable as much as possible during the project.

Materials & Benefits

• Corrosion-resistant: Modern PVC/ABS won’t rust or flake internally.
• Smoother interiors: Reduced friction means fewer clogs and quieter flow.
• Code-compliant: Installed to current standards and manufacturer specs.
• Long-term value: Upgrades add reliability and protect finished spaces.

Our Clean Work Standards

We protect flooring and finishes, isolate dust, and plan cuts to keep openings tight. After pressure and flow checks, we patch access points neatly and review the final layout with you before we’re done. The goal is a system that works better—and walls and ceilings that look like we were never there.

Preventive Tips for Older Homes

• Schedule periodic hydro jetting to remove scale buildup in older branches.
• Replace failing fixture arms when renovating bathrooms or kitchens.
• Fix slow drains early to prevent pressure spikes and gurgling in other fixtures.

Related Drain & Sewer Services

• Sewer Services – cleaning, repairs, and replacements
• Trenchless Pipe Lining – restore buried laterals without a trench
• Excavation – controlled digging for non-trenchless sections