It’s common to experience problems with your sewer lines, but have you ever wondered what type of sewer you have and why it’s always giving you some trouble?
Well, you might be thinking of Orangeburg pipes, the sewer pipes that could have been installed in your home decades ago!
Orangeburg Sewer: History
Orangeburg Pipeswhose name comes from Orangeburg, New York, have been used more than 70 years ago and became famous in the 1950s to 1960s when demand for wood fiber sewers was at its peak.
They are also known as «corrosion-free» pipes, and in plumbing, they are known as bituminous fiber pipes with coal tar pitch or hot pitch from wood pulp layers.
Previously, the only manufacturer of this type of sewer pipe was the Fiber Conduit Company, also known as the Orangeburg Manufacturing Company. During World War II, iron and steel were essential during the war. Eventually, this caused a shortage of iron and steel. To compensate for this lack, these pipes were invented.
Moreover, although this type of pipe is cheap, it is considered a durable pipe, making its production proliferate, until the early 1970s when PVC pipes became famous.
Generally, these pipes have a life expectancy of almost 5 decades, as long as the manufacturing company uses quality pipe materials.
Additionally, this type of pipe increases its chances of buckling when pressed by the soil above it. This is why plumbing experts properly lay the pipe, especially when the pipe is located near the root of a tree.
Benefits of Orangeburg Pipes
When you start building your home, one of the factors you consider is your budget. Will you use cheap but quality and durable materials? Or do you go extra for the expensive but safe long-lasting ones?
Besides the cheap cost, there are other benefits of using it Orangeburg pipes for your home drain lines. Some of these include the following:
- Easy
- Easy and quick to install for an installer
- Easy to repair
Orangeburg pipes range from 2 to 18 inches in diameter, making them suitable for larger homes.
Risks come with Orangeburg pipelines
One important thing you should understand about Orangeburg pipes is that they they come with many disadvantages. Although inexpensive, external pressures can cause these pipes to warp. Some of the risks when using Orangeburg pipes are as follows:
- It can easily absorb moisture compared to cast iron pipe
- Become slightly distorted when ground pressure occurs
- It can cause bubbles, allowing the mouth of the pipe to close
- They should always be inspected, at least once every 6 months
- Expensive repair when these pipes are totally damaged
- It can cause mold that eventually introduces frequent clogs in the sewer line
- Because it is a light pipe material, it is considered fragile
- It is easily infected by the invasion of tree roots
To plumbing experts, these pipes are described as toilet paper tubes impregnated with coal tar. This means that these bituminous fiber pipes do not last long compared to how they were used years ago.
As said above, the dimensions of these pipes are kind of huge. Thus, when you go for manual repairs, you may need strength and a lot of work to dig and check them.
Collapsed Orangeburg Pipes: Warning Signs
If you have a home that is more than 40 years old and are noticing unusual signs of sewer failure, you may want to consider getting help to identify if your pipes are damaged. Some of the warning signs include the following:
- Poor pipe flow or low water pressure
- Your lawn areas suddenly become waterlogged
- Bad sewage smell inside and outside your home
- The sudden appearance of lush grass
- Notches in the yard near the sewer pipe
Other than that, if you ever get your monthly water bill and notice you’re paying a lot without using a lot of water, take that as a sign of Orangeburg pipe damage.
I remember my neighbor, she actually lived far away from her own house. However, once when she received her monthly water bill, she was overwhelmed by the amount she had to pay.
The grade was so high even if she wasn’t there! When they inspected the house, they found that one of her water pipes was leaking!
Causes of Orangeburg Pipeline Failure
Apart from the fact that these pipes deteriorate after some time, there are many the causes of the failure of the Orangeburg pipelinesuch as the following:
- Inadequate pipe bedding
- Pipeline weakened due to tree root invasion
- Damage to the pipe material
Sometimes improper disposal of solutions such as solvents, high-grade cleaners and paint thinners can also cause pipe failure. These chemicals can react with the bitumen, causing the bitumen to lose its consistency.
Orangeburg Pipe Repair
To avoid having to repair pipes due to damage, it is essential to have them inspected regularly by a plumbing expert.
If the damage is already there, there are some repair solutions you can consider as well. However, keep in mind that there are factors that are taken into account when repairing your pipes. These factors include the following:
- Pipeline depth
- The type of break
- The severity of the injury
In addition, depending on these factors, different repair techniques will be followed to secure and effectively address pipeline damage.
1. Dig and replace
This is one of the best and most Rent pipeline renovation methods. However, keep in mind that the price may increase depending on the depth of the damaged pipe.
The dig-and-replace method is a manual technique for repairing a shallow Orangeburg pipeline. Although it uses heavy labor, it is best for both residential and commercial areas, even those with driveways and sidewalks.
If you are wondering how much it costs for this technique, the cost of a single project would range from $4,000 to $13,000.
2. Pipe lining
We also have this technique which is usually used for underground pipes. This technique is cheaper compared to the dig-and-replace method and is also known as cued-in-place pipe lining technique.
Another great thing is that it can be done in hours compared to the first one which takes days to complete. If you are in a hurry, choosing this method might be the best option for you.
In addition, this technique uses epoxy resin chemicals. However, they can alter the quality of the water system.
With trenchless technology, this method works by covering the damaged pipe using air pressure. It is a seamless technique that is considered very effective.
If you are wondering how this technique is done, the process is very simple. First, a Perma-liner solution will be inserted into the damaged pipe and then this liner will receive air pressure to compensate for pipe cracks and breaks.
Generally, this liner will become an inner liner for the damaged pipe to make the inner walls flawless. Other uses of this technique are for filling missing pipe segments and large cracks.
One of the advantages of this technique is less invasion of your property. Installers won’t have to dig too far. Instead, they will only dig for the pipe ends.
Note that if the Orangeburg pipe is collapsed, this technique may not work best. It can be used as a solution, but only temporarily.
3. Pipeline rupture
In addition to the pipe lining technique, there is also this pipe burst that you can consider. This technique is done by hand for completely collapsed and damaged Orangeburg pipes.
To do this technique, conical breaker heads attached to new pipes will be used to replace damaged pipes. What will then happen is that the cone head will break open the pipe to completely replace the entire damaged pipe.
How to identify Orangeburg pipes in your home
A sewer camera is usually used to identify these pipes. If you’ve just moved into an older home, it’s vital to find out if your sweet home has these pipes.
- Under Sinks – If you want to know if your home has Orangeburg pipe, you might want to check yours below sinks.
- Ventilation chimneys for sanitary installations – These pipes are usually found in the roof line.
- Drain cleaning – When looking for drain cleanings, keep in mind that they may also include the pipes in your neighborhood.
Keep in mind that even if your home is not older than 1970, you are encouraged to have your pipes inspected by a professional to avoid spending a lot of money on sewer repairs, expensive replacements, etc.
Final thoughts
As a homeowner, it’s exciting to see your home done up beautifully. But, there are more things that matter besides the exterior appearance of your home.
Your sewer line is very essential to keep clean and healthy as this part of your home will not only cause you inconvenience but also expense when problems arise.
If you are using Orangeburg pipes, you may want to inspect these pipes as an old pipe can be prone to damage, collapse and damage.
