PVC, ABS, Clay, Iron, & Orangeburg: A Guide to Sewer Pipes

Older homes and properties often contain legacy plumbing materials that have either worn past their lifespan or pose health and safety concerns.

Common types of old plumbing pipes include:

Lead Pipes (Late 1800s–1950s)

Use: Main water supply lines.

Characteristics: Dull gray, very soft (can be scratched easily with a coin), and lacks threaded joints.

Galvanized Steel Pipes (1930s–1980s)

Use: Water supply lines and gas distribution.

Characteristics: Dull silver-gray metal with threaded screw joints.

Cast Iron Pipes (1900s–1980s)

Use: Main stack, drain, waste, and underground sewer lines.

Characteristics: Heavy, dark gray or black rigid pipes connected with lead or rubber hubs.

Orangeburg Pipes (1940s–1970s)

Use: Exterior sewer and drain lines (popular during WWII due to metal shortages).

Characteristics: Made of compressed wood pulp impregnated with coal tar pitch; feels somewhat like hard cardboard or tar paper.

Clay Pipes (Pre-1970s)

Use: Underground sewer lines and lateral connections.

Characteristics: Red-brown, ceramic-like heavy sections joined with rubber or mortar gaskets.

Polybutylene Pipes (1978–1995)

Use: Flexible water supply piping.

Characteristics: Usually gray, blue, or black flexible plastic tubing connected with plastic or metal insert fittings.

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