Orangeburg Pipe Repair in Coeur d’Alene Idaho
A broken section of Orangeburg pipe is pictured above. Notice how the pipe itself appears to be torn and not just simply broken. Maybe you’re wondering why would it look torn if it’s a sewer pipe? Isn’t sewer pipe suppose to be strong and non-breakable? If my home has Orangeburg pipe, will this end up happening to me? What can I do if my home has this kind of sewer pipe?
First, let’s learn about what Orangeburg pipe is and then we will delve further into other questions you may have.
What is Orangeburg pipe and can it damage my property?
Orangeburg pipe is a composite pipe made up of what is essentially tar paper and coal-tar mix. The paper portion of the pipe is composed of asbestos and wood fibers. This paper is then saturated with a coal-tar mix to form the pipe when rolled. This pipe is made of many layers of this coal-tar, wood-fiber asbestos-fiber composite. These are the layers that form Orangeburg pipe.
Does Orangeburg Pipe Last, Or Am I The Only Experiencing Problems?
Originally, it was thought Orangeburg pipe would last well over 50 years. For some, this has not been the case, as thousands of households and homeowners have been affected by this pipe failure. If you are experiencing issues with Orangeburg pipe, you are far from alone!
Orangeburg pipe history
Who Made Orangeburg Pipe?
Orangeburg pipe was manufactured by the Orangeburg Manufacturing Company after World War 2. During this time, there was a great building boom in the United States following the war with servicemembers returning home from overseas. It was this building boom that allowed Orangeburg pipe to be widely used in the building trades. Municipalities also used Orangeburg pipe and even used it for water pipes.
Why Is Orangeburg Pipe Failing?
There are many reasons why Orangeburg pipe is failing. The most obvious reason stems from the very makeup of the pipe itself. With the downward pressures of earth acting on what is considered an already substandard pipe, the pipe starts to elongate with breaks, cracks and failures happening along its length.
Add to the mix the ever present sewer gasses that are present in all sewer pipes; continually corroding and breaking down the upper portion of the pipe and one can start to see where failures begin. Add some trees from above, and you’re calling your local rooter company to help clear your sewer lines.
There’s just one additional problem being formed when rooting your sewer lines…
Rooting Orangeburg eventually leads to pipe failure
Each time you have your Orangeburg pipe rooted, a small layer of pipe is removed. This is due to the pipes fragile nature. (Remember, as discussed above, Orangeburg pipe is essentially rolled up tar paper). Eventually, after enough rooter cleanings, your already compromised pipe can become paper thin. Orangeburg pipe will eventually fail under such circumstances and is why many homeowners opt for preventative maintenance by repairing or replacing their sewer lines. Sewer relining can be effective here ONLY if the existing sewer line is in good enough condition to have a new liner placed within. (Sewer relining follows all of the humps, hollows, breaks, obstructions, belly’s etc. when the liner is placed).
Only by sewer camera inspection can you know if the existing sewer line has enough integrity to allow for a new sewer relining procedure.
Imagine if you will, an epoxy saturated felt liner placed on the inside of your sewer line. The felt is cured against the walls of your existing sewer line so every bump and flaw is magnified with the new liner. This is why it is so important to know the integrity of the sewer line before trying to line it.
A cautionary note to consider…
Don’t let a company reline your existing sewer without showing you that your current line is free from flaws that can effect your new repair. This is very important as not all pipes are meant to be lined. What may appear like small obstructions can cause major headaches down the road. Be sure to have your repair company give you a copy of your camera inspection.
There are other methods to repair your sewer lines. One such method is called, pipe bursting. You can learn more about this trenchless method here, or ask an Inland Trenchless technician for more information.
If you are having sewer line Orangeburg clogging issues and these issues are not going away, a free sewer line camera inspection is just a phone call away with Inland Trenchless Inc. Call 509-655-3360 and to learn more about our free camera service, go here.
Inland Trenchless Inc. is fully licensed, bonded and insured. We appreciate your business and without your trust we would not be in business. Thank you!