If your house is on the older side—say, built before the late 1970s—there’s a decent chance your sewer line might not be made of the modern PVC or ABS you’d expect. Instead, it could be Clay or Orangeburg. And if that’s the case,… You may have a ticking time bomb under your lawn.
First Off, What Are Clay or Orangeburg Pipes?
Let’s start with clay. Clay or Orangeburg aren’t brand names—they’re types of old sewer line materials. Clay sewer pipes were made from fired clay and glazed to help resist water infiltration. They were popular for decades because they were inexpensive and (at the time) relatively durable.
On the other hand, Orangeburg is a different animal. It’s a pipe made from layers of wood pulp and pitch (tar). It was used heavily during WWII and the post-war building boom because it was cheap and easy to install. The name “Orangeburg” comes from the city in New York where it was manufactured. Both materials seemed like good ideas at the time… but time has a way of showing the flaws.
Why Clay or Orangeburg Pipes Are a Problem Now
Clay pipes are brittle. They can last decades but are prone to cracking under heavy loads or shifting soil. Plus, the joints between clay pipe sections are perfect little entry points for tree roots. If you’ve got big oaks or maples nearby, those roots will find their way in sooner or later.
Orangeburg pipes have an even bigger issue—they’re basically paper. Over time, the material softens, blisters, and collapses. Some homeowners have had Orangeburg pipes fail in as little as 30 years, though many lasted a bit longer. But at this point, if you’ve still got Clay or Orangeburg pipes, they’re past their prime.
Signs You Might Have Clay or Orangeburg Sewer Lines
You can’t exactly lift the lawn and check, but there are a few clues:
- Age of the Home – If your home was built before 1980, especially in the 1940s–1960s, there’s a good chance of Clay or Orangeburg.
- Frequent Backups – Tree roots or collapsed sections can cause slow drains or recurring blockages.
- Lush Patches of Grass – If certain spots in the yard are greener or grow faster, you might have a small leak in the sewer line feeding them.
- Sewer Smell Outside – A crack or gap can let odor escape. I once had a client who thought they just had a “weirdly healthy” section of lawn. It was basically being fertilized from a cracked clay sewer pipe underneath.
How to Know for Sure
The only way to confirm what kind of pipe you have is to do a sewer camera inspection. A plumber can feed a small camera through the line from a cleanout or a pulled toilet and give you a real-time view.
If you’ve got Clay or Orangeburg, it’s usually obvious. Clay looks brownish, with visible joints. Orangeburg often appears out of round, with layers peeling inside.
Replacement Options
If you discover Clay or Orangeburg pipes, you’ve got a couple of choices:
- Traditional Excavation – Dig up the yard, remove the old pipe, and replace it with PVC. It’s messy but straightforward.
- Trenchless Replacement – Methods like pipe bursting or lining can replace or reinforce the pipe without digging up the entire yard.
Trenchless is often faster and less disruptive, though it can depend on the condition of your current line.
Don’t Wait for Disaster
I get it—if your drains are working fine today, it’s tempting to ignore the issue. But Clay or Orangeburg pipes aren’t “if they fail” situations—they’re “when they fail” situations. And when they do, you could be looking at a total blockage or raw sewage backing up into the house.
I’ve seen repairs turn from a manageable planned project into a rushed emergency replacement that cost double, simply because the homeowner waited until the line collapsed.
My Take on It
In my experience, the smartest move is to be proactive. If your home is in the right age range, get a camera inspection. Know what’s down there. If you do have Clay or Orangeburg pipes, start budgeting for a replacement before you’re forced into it by a middle-of-the-night clog.
It’s not the most glamorous upgrade—you don’t see it, your guests won’t compliment it—but it’s one of those “peace of mind” projects that protects your home in a big way.
Final Thoughts
Your sewer line isn’t something you think about… until it becomes all you think about. Clay or Orangeburg pipes were a product of their time and served well for decades. But that time has passed.
If your home is old enough to have them, take the time to find out. Because with sewer lines, knowing what you’ve got now can save you from a whole lot of trouble (and expense) later.
