KNOW YOUR PIPES

Sewer pipes are usually installed out of sight, so they are out of mind. Because of that, home and business owners are often unaware of what type of plumbing they have. Let’s take a quick look at a few materials that may be routing your sewage.

Common plumbing in older buildings:

Clay – Vitrified clay pipe is still in use today in older dwellings, but not a material installed in modern systems. Clay pipes were installed in sections, and it is common to see root infiltration at the joint where sections met. This weakness makes clay pipes more susceptible to tree roots than other materials, causing cracking and root clogging damage.

Cast-Iron – A heavy metal, and very durable form of plumbing. Its main disadvantage is the fact that it frequently corrodes over time. Cast-iron pipes generally have a lifetime around 50 years, and most homes they are in exceed that age.

Orangeburg – An outdated and unused material that is no longer allowed in our area. A fiber conduit pipe, Orangeburg was installed mostly between 1946-1972, and has proven to have a short lifespan, so it is rare to find it good working condition anymore.

Common plumbing in newer buildings:

PVC & ABS – Most commonly used material for plumbing currently is plastic, for both professionals and do-it-yourselfers. It is lightweight, extremely versatile and features a smooth exterior making it more resistant to root attachment.

If you want to know for sure what you’re dealing with, give us a call! With a quick video inspection, we’ll be able to show you what types of pipes are plumbed in your home or business.