Lazaro Dinh
2 min readJul 5, 2019

Does Your Property Have Orangeburg Pipes?

Re-Posted by Lazaro Dinh on 7/5/2019

If you are in the market and looking to purchase a property built between 1945 and 1972, it is important to spend a few extra dollars and have your sewer pipes inspected for Orangeburg pipes.

Orangeburg pipe is a type of home sewer pipe used in most properties built from 1945 to 1972. Made of a mixture of hot pitch and wood pulp, these pipes are known for their structural complications after prolonged use.

Once installed, standard Orangeburg pipes lines are expected to last 50 years’ time; however, many systems begin to falter after a mere 30 years of use. For systems installed in the late 60’s or early 70’s, this means pipe failure due to deterioration or structural issues may be imminent.

If you are noticing decreased water flow, exceptionally high water bills or moist indentations on your property, it may be time to have your Orangeburg pipe systems inspected for damage. In this blog, we break down everything you need to know about Orangeburg pipe systems, as well as the best ways to repair or replace them when the time comes.

Common Signs of Aging Orangeburg

If you notice any of the following indicators of Orangeburg pipe failure, it may be time to call a professional plumbing expert in your community to assess damages. These specialists in all things Orangeburg can help you identify the best solutions for repairing your home plumbing:

  • Recurring plumbing clogs or blocking
  • Water indentations on your property, or water damage to your home
  • Decreased water pressure and flow
  • Lush grass concentrations on your lawn
  • Sudden high spikes in your monthly water bill

Generally, Orangeburg pipe damages occur naturally with time (due to their fiber-based composition). Over several decades, the pitch and pulp bonds that hold Orangeburg pipes together will begin to fail. In this case, there is little you can do to restore existing Orangeburg pipe; replacement to some degree is typically necessary.

Fortunately, recent pipe repair innovations have made replacing your aging Orangeburg systems not only quick, but also affordable for almost any budget.

For additional information about what you can do if you discover that you have Orangeburg pipes during your inspection, send me an email at reodocket@gmail.com

Originally posted by and credits due to Posted by William Heinselman

Lazaro Dinh

Real Estate Investor and Consultant with over 20 years of Real Estate investment experience in the US and other emerging markets.