How to dispose of cast iron pipe?

[artguychris.livejournal.com]

I'm debating between hiring a plumber and DIY to replace some pipe.  The one sticking point is what to do with 15-20 feet of big cast iron pipe.  I'm pretty sure the city won't take it.  Short of hiring a dumpster or disposal company, does anyone know where I could take this?  And how much it would cost?

Thanks!

Comments

call 311 to check, but I think they'll take it.

[rmd.livejournal.com]

If it's cut into smaller pieces, I believe the city will take it. When I had some cast iron pipe replaced, I had 3 pieces about 3 feet long and I just put them in the barrels along with the rest of my household trash. (making sure that the barrels didn't end up being too heavy for the trash folks.)

I think this kind of thing falls into the "regular household repair" levels of trash rather than "major construction project" levels of trash.

[42itous.livejournal.com]

Donate it to an artist? I bet someone at Sprout (http://thesprouts.org/) or Artisans' Asylum (http://artisansasylum.com/) would be happy to take it off your hands.

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

this!

[ceelove.livejournal.com]

Not good for scrap metal? There are endless places in the yellow pages; we took an old hot water heater and some other big pieces to Prospect Iron and Steel Corp, 40 Bennett Street (Union Square area).

[frotz.livejournal.com]

Yup, nice people. (Also known as Anestis Metals; see also http://www.anestismetal.com/ (http://www.anestismetal.com/).) I ditch all of my iron and steel scrap there.

In theory it's worth some pittance, but I've never bothered. (Aluminum and copper are worth real money, though.)

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

I've dropped lots of scrap metal off at Atlas Metals on Columbia St. Somerville, between Union Sq. and Cambridge St. They have paid me for copper and brass and have willingly taken other stuff (cast iron pipe, old radiators, sheet steel) although no money for that. I like using them because they have been in business since 1945 and the owner is a great old timer.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

If you dispose of any building materials from home repair, and you don't have a building permit, the garbage folks can report you to the city and you'll be issued a stop work order ($$$$$) It is technically not legal in Massachusetts to perform any plumbing work without a license, even in your own home.

[ocschwar.livejournal.com]

And for good reason. Bad plumbing jobs kill.

not to get all 'fallacy of the beard'

[rmd.livejournal.com]

I've never been clear on the difference between "normal household repair" trash and "building materials". I don't believe you need a permit to do repairs on existing in place work (eg - replacing a sink or a light fixture).

Re: not to get all 'fallacy of the beard'

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

From the Uniform State Plumbing Code: When a fixture that is connected to the plumbing system is to be permanently removed, a permit for the work shall be secured. All plumbing connections to that fixture shall be made water and gas tight.

This means that if you're fixing a leaky faucet, you don't need a permit, but if you're replacing a leaky faucet you do need a permit. And only a licensed plumber can obtain a Plumbing Permit. And as we all know, a plumber doesn't walk in a door for less than a $100.

Re: not to get all 'fallacy of the beard'

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Really? Replacing a sink faucet is really easy, and can be done with just a wrench. Why would the law require a building permit and plumber?

Re: not to get all 'fallacy of the beard'

[ron_newman]

Is a faucet a 'fixture'? I think of the whole sink as a 'fixture'.

Re: not to get all 'fallacy of the beard'

[smammy]

And replacing a faucet doesn't sound like a case of permanent removal either.

Re: not to get all 'fallacy of the beard'

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

it is if you're permanently removing a given fixture (faucet) and replacing it with a new faucet. I've heard this from horse's mouth, ie city inspection services. I was surprised as well. I was told that pretty much anything beyond painting walls and fixing things requires a parmit, this includes remodels and replacements.

[pjmorgan.livejournal.com]

From working in construction and landlording, I have a scrap metal guy that will take anything metal. He will pick up. PM me for his name/number.

Thanks!

[artguychris.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'll check with some of the scrap dealers mentioned. It's about 6" diameter, so there's a lot of material there.

It's sewer pipe, so I doubt anyone would want it for an art project.