If your home was built between 1945 and 1972 or if a side sewer was laid by your house during that time, you could have a sewer line pipe made of a material called Orangeburg.
Manufactured by Orangeburg Manufacturing Company, Orangeburg pipes are a brand of sewer pipe material. The pipes were manufactured from wood fibers bound with a water-resistant adhesive and filled with liquified coal tar pitch. Lightweight and easy to cut, many plumbers of the era held Orangeburg in high regard. It was commonly used in home construction between the 1940s and 1970s.
The lifespan of Orangeburg pipe is roughly about 50 years. But after around 30 years, it’s not uncommon for deformities to occur.
If your home was built before 1972, you could be at risk of major plumbing problems; it’s really not a matter of “if” it will happen, it’s only a matter of “when”. Once Orangeburg starts to break down, all kinds of bad things can happen, namely tree root invasion, frequent clogs, and even a total pipe collapse.
Will your insurance policy provide any coverage if you have a collapsed Orangeburg pipe? -Maybe- Some policies have an endorsement that will provide coverage however without an endorsement the answer is “no”. Many of our carriers have optional endorsements that would provide some coverage and it is usually inexpensive. Check with your agent or contact us to get a new home policy that will provide coverage.