"Cost more upfront, but zero issues since."
Curious, roughly how much did replacing that pipe section set you back? Trying to weigh the long-term savings vs. the immediate hit to my wallet... Also, how disruptive was the actual replacement process?
I replaced a similar section of pipe about two years ago, and it ran me roughly $1,200. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on your location, pipe length, and materials used. I opted for PVC instead of cast iron—cheaper and easier to handle, plus no rust issues down the line.
As for disruption, it wasn't too bad overall. The plumber had to jackhammer a small section of my basement floor to access the pipe, which was noisy and dusty for a day or two. Definitely cover or move anything valuable beforehand. Afterward, they patched the concrete neatly, but it took another day or so to fully cure. All told, the inconvenience lasted about three days, but honestly, the peace of mind since then has been worth every penny.
PVC's definitely easier on the wallet, but did your plumber mention anything about noise? Cast iron tends to dampen sound better, especially if it's a main drain line. My uncle swapped out cast iron for PVC last summer, and now every flush upstairs sounds like Niagara Falls in his basement...not exactly relaxing. Maybe worth considering if your basement doubles as a hangout spot or home office?
"My uncle swapped out cast iron for PVC last summer, and now every flush upstairs sounds like Niagara Falls in his basement...not exactly relaxing."
Yeah, noise is something people often overlook when choosing materials. Did your plumber mention if insulating the PVC pipes could help? A friend of mine had a similar issue—he went with PVC to save money, but the noise drove him nuts whenever someone used the bathroom upstairs. He ended up wrapping the pipes in some kind of foam insulation (I think it was specifically made for soundproofing pipes), and it made a noticeable difference. Not completely silent like cast iron, obviously, but definitely less intrusive.
Also, since you're dealing with basement drain backups, have you checked to make sure the issue isn't related to venting or slope rather than pipe material? Sometimes backups can indicate a bigger plumbing problem—maybe a blockage further down the line or inadequate venting causing slow drainage. If you're already going through the trouble of replacing pipes, might be worth double-checking those things too, just to be safe.
Have you had a camera inspection done yet? It's usually not too expensive, and at least you'll know exactly what's causing the backups before making a big decision. Better to spend a little extra upfront than deal with recurring issues later on...
PVC definitely amplifies noise compared to cast iron, no doubt about it. Insulating the pipes can help a bit, but honestly, it's never gonna be as quiet as cast iron was. Still, foam insulation sleeves are cheap and easy enough to install yourself—worth a shot if the noise is driving you crazy.
As for your basement drain backing up again...been there myself, and it's frustrating as heck. Before you start tearing things apart or spending big bucks, I'd second the camera inspection suggestion. Had one done on a rental property last year and found tree roots halfway down the line causing backups. Cleared those out and haven't had issues since.
Also, double-check your venting setup. Poor venting can slow drainage and cause backups even if your pipes are clear. It's an easy thing to overlook but pretty straightforward to fix once identified.
Hang in there—plumbing headaches are annoying but usually solvable with some patience and detective work.
