Orangeburg Pipe: The Hidden Problem in Older NJ Homes

There's a type of sewer pipe hiding under many mid-century New Jersey homes that plumbers dread: Orangeburg. If your home has it, it's worth knowing before it fails.

What Orangeburg Is

Orangeburg is a pipe made of wood pulp bound with coal tar, used widely from the 1940s through the 1970s because it was cheap and light. The problem: it's essentially layered paper. Over time it absorbs moisture, delaminates, deforms into an oval, and collapses.

Why It's a Ticking Clock

Unlike clay or cast iron, Orangeburg doesn't just crack — it can blister and collapse with little warning, causing a sudden total blockage. Many lines have already outlived their expected life by decades.

What to Do

If you suspect Orangeburg, a camera inspection confirms it quickly. The permanent solution is replacement — often via trenchless pipe bursting so you don't have to dig up the whole yard.