How Long Do Sewer Lines Last?

A sewer line isn't forever. How long yours lasts depends almost entirely on what it's made of — and many New Jersey homes are now well past their pipe's expected life.

Lifespan by Material

• Clay tile: 50–60 years, often failing at the joints sooner
• Cast iron: 50–80 years before corrosion and scaling take over
• Orangeburg: 30–50 years, and frequently far less
• PVC / HDPE: 50–100 years with proper installation

Do the Math on Your Home

If your NJ home was built before 1970, odds are the original clay, cast-iron, or Orangeburg lateral is near or past the end of its service life. That doesn't mean replace it tomorrow — it means a camera inspection is a wise idea so you're not caught off guard.