Orangeburg

[MasterPlumbersKeymaster]

I am trying to locate information regarding the use of a sewer connection line called “Orangeburg”.
My home was fitted with this during its construction in approx. 1965, and it has failed. We would like to
educate ourselves and our neighbors about this product. Can you supply any info to us? It would be greatly
appreciated

Thanks
Stacie

[hjParticipant]

The basic thing to know about it is that it is made of rolled up tar paper with press together joints. As such, roots could penetrate the joints and fill the pipe, but in addition, the weight of the covering soil often compressed the pipe into an oval or even a figure 8 form. Plus, roots growing on the outside of the pipe can indent the walls of the pipe. Therefore, the main thing to know, is that if you have it and it is giving problems, the only long term solution is to replace it.

[flyingcParticipant]

Ditto what “hj” wrote. Orangeburg is common in homes of that age. You’ll need to replace it if you’re having problems.

[stacie hinrichsParticipant]

Thanks for your attention. It is hard to believe that anyone would have had much confidence in a sewer pipe made or tarpaper! If this product was used frequently in the construction of homes at that time, and is becoming a common problem, is there any recourse for us(the owners of these homes and unaware of what was used)in recouping any of the thousands and thousands of dollars we will have to spend to replace this faulty product?

[hjParticipant]

It is not just now becoming a problem, it has been a problem for decades. There is no recourse, in fact, during the ’70s, the U.S. government mandated that it be approved in order to make low income housing cheaper to construct. They did not care that the very people who would not be able to afford to replace it at some future time would be the ones stuck with it.

[Author]

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