Fixing a leak around pipe in cellar - hydraulic cement or foam? Me, or a plumber??

We have a leak coming from somewhere around the area where our waste line enters the foundation wall in the back of the cellar.  Hard to see exactly what is happening, as the area is (was!) air-sealed and water is now getting in where the foam/insulating material has come loose.  I think I need to take off the sealing to see what is going on behind it but want to make sure I am prepared to fix whatever I might find.  It seems that if the gap is less than 1/2″, I can use expanding foam to fill the gap.  If it’s bigger, I have seen some people recommend hydraulic cement.  Then I’ve seen others say that cement will corrode the pipe and to use foam only.  Can you really use foam on such a large gap?  If I can, what kind of foam is best?  I’ve seen something called Pipe-Tite but have no idea if this is good quality or anything better than the foam at the corner hardware store. Last, if I screw this up, who should I call?  I would think a plumber but I’ve been wrong before…

well_pHed

in Cellar 13 years and 8 months ago

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ejalbk | 13 years and 8 months ago

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If the leak is plumbing related (like a cracked waste line) you’ll defintely need a plumber. If it’s rain related you won’t  and hydraulic cement might be the answer. Is the leak constant or does it only appear in the heavy rains we’ve had the past month? The answer might determine if it’s a cracked pipe or just seepage through the hole in the foundation in heavy rains.