What Is Orangeburg Pipe? The Paper Sewer Line That Fails

What is Orangeburg pipe?

Orangeburg is sewer pipe made from tar and paper, and in some cases tar and cardboard. It went in during World War II and was billed as the next best thing. As we understand it, metal was going to tanks and ammunition at the time, and Orangeburg filled the gap.

The problem is the material. Tar and paper doesn't hold up, and given enough time, it fails.

How do I know if I have Orangeburg pipe?

A camera inspection is the only reliable way to know. There's no way to tell ahead of time which houses have Orangeburg and which don't.

We can run a drain cable down an Orangeburg line, but there's a good chance it breaks through the side of the pipe. A backup in an Orangeburg line usually means the pipe has collapsed somewhere, and the camera shows us where.

What are the warning signs of a failing sewer line?

Gurgling toilets and foul odors are the two signs to watch for. They don't mean a backup is on the way. They mean the line is already backed up.

At that point the sewer is draining very slowly. The house just isn't using enough water yet to overflow the toilets.

How does Orangeburg pipe fail?

Over time, Orangeburg goes oval and collapses. Roots are the most likely culprit when it breaks, since they grow into this pipe so easily.

The original install matters too. When a line wasn't compacted properly, it can begin to fail within its first 10 years.

Can Orangeburg pipe be lined?

No. Lining isn't an option with Orangeburg. The old pipe has to be replaced with new pipe.

How is Orangeburg pipe replaced?

Whenever possible, we replace Orangeburg with pipe bursting, a trenchless method that pulls new pipe through the old line. Bursting only works if we can get the pull cable through the existing pipe. When we can't, we dig the line up the traditional way and replace it.

A typical Orangeburg sewer line replacement takes 2 to 3 days. The timeline depends on where the line is, how deep it sits, and whether it runs under a driveway or a sidewalk we have to tunnel beneath.

Should I get the sewer inspected before buying an older home?

Yes. Have the sewer camera-inspected before you commit to buying an older home. We often hear from new owners whose sewer backs up within their first two weeks in the house.

We cover what the camera looks for in our guide to yearly sewer camera inspections.

A real Orangeburg job in Ontario

On a job in Ontario, we replaced an Orangeburg main line that ran about 90 feet from the house to the street. That sewer came to about $13,000. Every job is different, so treat that as one real example, not a quote.

What should I do if I think I have Orangeburg pipe?

Get a camera inspection of your sewer. It's the only way to know what the line is made of and, if it has backed up, where the pipe has collapsed. If it turns out to be Orangeburg, lining is off the table, and the line will need to be burst or dug up and replaced.