Orangeburg Pipe: What Pittsburgh Homeowners Need to Know

Orangeburg Pipe: What Pittsburgh Homeowners Need to Know

If you own an older home in Pittsburgh, West View, Bellevue, or the North Hills, chances are your sewer line may be made of Orangeburg pipe—and that could spell trouble. Many homeowners call us about recurring clogs, backups, or even collapsed sewer lines, only to find out the root cause is Orangeburg.

This post will explain what Orangeburg pipe is, why it was used, how it fails, and what you can do if your home still has it.

What Is Orangeburg Pipe?

Orangeburg pipe—also called bituminous fiber pipe—was a sewer material installed in homes from the 1940s through the early 1970s.

It was made of layers of wood pulp and paper, soaked in tar (bitumen) and then compressed into pipe form.

It was marketed as “No-Corrode” because it didn’t rust like cast iron. But in reality, Orangeburg was never designed to last long. It was cheap and easy to install, which is why so many Pittsburgh homes built in the mid-20th century still have it buried in the ground.

How Long Does Orangeburg Pipe Last?

Orangeburg has an average lifespan of 30–50 years. That means if your house was built in the 1950s, 60s, or even early 70s, your sewer line is likely well past its expiration date.

Unlike cast iron or terracotta pipe, Orangeburg doesn’t just crack—it actually warps, blisters, and collapses in on itself. Imagine a cardboard tube sitting in wet soil for decades—that’s what happens underground with Orangeburg.

Common Signs of Orangeburg Sewer Failure

Homeowners often ask: “How do I know if I have Orangeburg pipe?”

Here are some red flags:

• 🚽 Recurring clogs even after snaking or drain cleaning.

• 🌳 Tree roots invading the pipe (roots can easily push through the soft material).

• 🏚️ Slow drains throughout the house (toilets, sinks, tubs all sluggish).

• 💧 Sewage backups in the basement or first-floor drains.

• 🌍 Soft spots or sinkholes forming in the yard where the line runs.

The only way to know for sure is with a sewer camera inspection. Our high-definition cameras can quickly identify if your line is Orangeburg and show you exactly where the problems are.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Orangeburg

Clogs are just the symptom. The real issue is that Orangeburg fails structurally over time. Once it starts to blister or collapse, no amount of drain cleaning will fix the problem.

And when Orangeburg fails completely, it can:

• Cause sewage backups that damage your home.

• Lead to unsafe conditions for your family.

• Require emergency excavation that costs more than a planned replacement.

Orangeburg Pipe: Not From Pittsburgh, But a Big Problem for Pittsburgh Homes

Homeowners often ask us: “Does Orangeburg pipe have anything to do with Pittsburgh? The names sound alike.” It’s a fair question—but the answer is no.

Orangeburg pipe has nothing to do with Pittsburgh. It was named after Orangeburg, New York, the town where it was first manufactured in the 1940s. The “-burgh” ending is just a coincidence. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, was named long before, in 1758, after British statesman William Pitt the Elder.

So while the names are unrelated, here in Pittsburgh, West View, and Bellevue, Orangeburg pipe is a real issue for homeowners. Many houses built between the 1940s and 1970s still have it underground—and those sewer lines are now far past their life expectancy.

Replacement Options: Schedule 40 PVC

The best solution for failing Orangeburg is a full sewer replacement with Schedule 40 PVC.

PVC is:

• ✅ Durable—it can last 75–100+ years when installed properly.

• ✅ Root-resistant—solvent-welded joints keep roots out.

• ✅ Code-approved for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

• ✅ Smooth inside, preventing buildup and future clogs.

We can replace your Orangeburg line with PVC that meets all codes, giving you peace of mind that your sewer will last for decades.

Why Choose Revelation Plumbing

At Revelation Plumbing, we’re sewer experts serving West View, Bellevue, and the greater Pittsburgh area.

• 🛠️ Licensed master plumbers with decades of local experience.

• 🚨 No service fees and same-day emergency response for backups.

• 🎥 State-of-the-art camera inspections to diagnose the problem before digging.

• 🏡 Family-owned and local, so we know the soils, codes, and common pipe problems here.

Final Takeaway

If your home was built between the 1940s and 1970s, there’s a strong chance you have Orangeburg sewer pipe. If you’re dealing with clogs, backups, or slow drains, don’t just treat the symptom—fix the root problem.

📞 Call Revelation Plumbing today to schedule a sewer camera inspection. We’ll show you exactly what’s happening underground and give you clear repair and replacement options.

Stop worrying about messy backups and start protecting your home with a long-lasting sewer solution.