I remodeled the upstairs master bath. I replaced about 5' of cast iron waste pipe with PVC - I figured it's only 5' - the rest of the run is cast iron.

I was mistaken - the PVC is MUCH noisier than the cast iron.

Good to know. How do they compare cost wise?

Significant cost difference. Approx 10x more expensive in materials alone. Labor costs are greatly increased as well, pipe is heavy and requires another person (or two) to place. Proper bracing to achieve a correct slope is also more difficult. Each joint would require a compression gasket or hubless fernco coupling which would also be 10x material cost compared to pvc couplings, or the more intensive labor of packed oakum with molten lead for each joint.

http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-hoses-fittings-accessories/pipe/pvc-pipe/schedule-40-cellular-core-pvc-dwv-plain-end-pipe-4x5/p-1729917.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/rough-plumbing/pipe-tubing-hoses-fittings-accessories/fittings/cast-iron-fittings/4-x-5-single-hub-soilpipe/p-1390384-c-19513.htm?tid=-9159733773674601516

http://www.charlottepipe.com/Documents/CI_Technical_Manual/CI_Technical_Manual.pdf

Oh and making any changes to a cast iron system later is a PITA. :) Of note, solid core PVC is quieter than cellular core.

The main pros of cast iron are quietness and chemical, heat, and fire resistance. Cast iron is also considered a green product. Pros of PVC are ease of installation, low cost, easy to make changes, longevity if not exposed to heavy chemicals, heat, or fire.

I didn't think it would be that hard to answer. Without getting too specific, is cast iron more expensive than PVC and is it worth the expense? I'd like a quiet home and if it's not too much more then cast iron may be something I will use. Vito, thanks for taking the time to reply!

rmverb: It will cost $100 more. Go for it!

No reason to be a smartass.

It's going to be a lot more expensive, you will probably have trouble finding someone who remembers how to do it, and yes, it's worthwhile. 5x more is probably not an unreasonable guess unless you find an old timer who is happy that someone remembers the "right way" to do plumbing. BTW, it was the long horizontal PVC runs in our last house that made the most irritating noise.

You want a 100K plumbing quote????

Has anyone ever seen or used this? http://www.charlottepipe.com/Documents/Brochures/BR-QH.pdf

Woukd it really cost that much more to use cast iron stacks?

Looks like a decent system, it is still 10x more for the cast parts, but if you do a hybrid system where there is cast in the living space, and PVC for the vents and soil stack, the cost will be reduced and you will still get a quieter system.

But it's still more money.

Verb, you've come back three times looking for a magic bullet.

There isn't one. If you want quiet plumbing, you need cast iron. And it costs more , a lot more - period.

It's worth it if you have the means.

You want specifics for your situation? Ask a local plumber to price your job, not complete strangers.

In the words of the poet from Down Under, "Money talks. BS walks".

Methinks geoffrey has walked........

OK, it will cost $199.95

Glad you came back to report.

$200 is a steal.