What is Orangeburg pipe?

One of the many wonders that the nineteenth century handed down to us, Orangeburg pipe began as an experiment. One and a half miles of the stuff was laid down for a pipeline in Boston in 1867. The prototype was a tremendous success, considering how inexpensive it was to make. The only catch was that the stuff starts falling apart about 50 years after it's laid in the ground.

The Orangeburg Pipeline Revolution

But, perhaps because of the less-than-enduring materials used to craft it (wood pulp and pitch) Orangeburg pipe did not gain widespread use in sewers until the second World War, when the metals normally used for piping were in high demand by the US military. At this time, the bituminized fiber, which had gone through a number of transformations to improve its stability, seemed a fine option, and many people had it installed under their homes.

The Problem – Short Life Expectancy

That sewer pipeline revolution occurred almost 60 years ago. Having 'dug up some dirt' on this type of piping on Wikipedia, I quote: “Lack of strength causes pipes made of orangeburg to fail more frequently than pipes made with other materials. The useful life for an orangeburg pipe is about 50 years. It has been taken off the list of acceptable materials by most building codes.”(Wikipedia: Orangeburg Pipe).

How does Wikipedia know this untold secret about Orangeburg pipe? Probably for the same reason you do. Now that most of the sewers made with bituminized fibers are roughly 50-60 years old, these pipelines cracking, leaving Californians with serious sewer problems.

Ask Not for Whom Orangeburg Pipe Tolls...

The most common of these issues arises when a crack in the tubing allows some water to escape to the soil within close proximity of the pipe. Then roots from surrounding trees are attracted to the water, eventually growing through the cracks into the line itself.

Specific areas can be treated for root blockages (See my blog: The Gritty Truth – When to Consider Sewer Replacement); however, it is normally more cost-effective in the long run to refurbish the entire sewer line with PVC or a different material because Orangeburg pipe will only continue to cause problems in other areas, accruing additional costs each time.

There is little anyone can do to avert replacement/remodeling because the material itself is the problem. So, if there is a moral to this story, always ask what type of material the sewer lines are made of before purchasing a home, and if Orangeburg pipe has not yet been replaced, ask a plumbing company for a free estimate for replacement. The realtor should not complain about taking the cost of remodeling out of the upfront cost of the purchase.

Sewer Cleaning – Keep Roots from Becoming Pipe Blockage

Most cases of sewer cleaning involve tree root removal. So, chance has it that if you are experiencing a sewer line backup, roots are most likely the cause.

How do Tree Roots Block Up My Sewer Pipes? How Do They Enter?

Ever see grass growing through the cracks in the sidewalk? The grass does not break the concrete with its sheer will to see the sun. Instead, the changing temperatures of the seasons expand and contract the sidewalk until it breaks under the strain. It is only after that point, when there are tiny holes in the concrete, that grass seeds that have lain dormant for years begin to sprout up through the cracks.

The same principle is true of tree roots and sewer pipes. As trees grow, their roots continue to expand throughout the surrounding topsoil, in search of water and nutrients to sustain the growing tree. The roots naturally grow in the direction of the most sustenance; that is how they provide the most value to the tree. In application to sewers, this is both bad news and good news.

• The good news – tree roots will not be attracted to water-tight sewer pipes (there will be no sustenance around the pipes to take the roots' interest

• The bad news – tree roots will be attracted to sewer lines that already have cracks in them (roots are drawn to increasing amounts of water, beginning around the sewer line and ending in the sewer line itself)

Over the Soil and Through the Cracks...

So, roots will enter through the cracks in the pipeline and begin to spread through the drain. Once they are thick enough to keep detritus from passing through, they will cause a sewer line backup. This means that if you have noticed a slight backup, acting quickly will be necessary, as the roots will only continue to grow, and waste material will only continue to build up.

What a Homeowner Can Do

Once a pipe blockage is detected, there are a number of different options one may choose from.

• Chemicals are available for use on the pipeline directly, which are merely flushed through toilets. These chemicals are toxic to tree roots and our environment, killing all they come into contact with. While these chemicals can work for a time, they often will kill only the roots that hang down into the sewer water, leaving the rest to grow back. For this reason, these chemicals are best used as a temporary treatment.

• Clean them yourself by following the step-by-step instructions found on web sites, such as Ask the Builder and Drains and Plumbing. 
 

• Ask a professional to help you determine the best course of action.

A Drain Cleaning Resource for Everybody Tips on Drain Cleaning and Maintenance

Some people will fold up their shirtsleeves in order to clear their drains of debris; others would rather call a plumber. Both of these people have an easy, step-by-step method that will keep their drains flowing. For those who want to avoid blockages and backups entirely, read the next section for maintenance tips, but for those of you who would rather just wait until a blockage occurs, simply skip to the how-to resources below (In the Event of a Clog).

To Avoid Clogs Altogether

If the thought of a drain or the pipes under your sink make you queasy, then proper drain maintenance is the way to go. For all drains without a garbage disposal, long hair is usually the primary source of clogs, so anything that can be done to reduce the amount will keep pipes cleaner, longer. Additionally, follow this maintenance schedule as closely as you like:

• Every week, boil a large pot-full of water; pour one round of water down the drains in the household; five minutes after that, pour down a second round.

• Every month, throw an enzymatic cleaner down there – pour around the edge of the drain to fully coat the pipes underneath.

• Every half-year, use an explosive combination to keep clogs away – Run the hot water faucet until the water is hot; reduce flow; spoon out some baking soda (about a half-cup for each drain); turn off the water, and flush with the same amount of vinegar; wait a few minutes and rinse.

(Do You really want to do all this stuff? and I'm not sure it really works)

For advice on Garbage disposals, read my other blog: xxx

In the Event of a Clog

While many clogs are easy enough to clear with caustic cleaners, some require drain snakes, or other methods. Covering them all myself would be a waste, since I found this do-it-yourself resource the most comprehensive guide out there. And of course, there is always a plumber to take care of it for you professionally, Without all the mess and frustration of doing it yourself

It's Saturday And We Are Open

What a beautiful day today is the sun is shining and I am sitting in the office fielding calls, Yes that's right we are open for business. Several years ago I thought I would try opening on Saturday at no extra charge to accommodate  some of our Customers who had a hard time fitting plumbing into their work schedule. Well you will never guess Saturday has become a very busy day. Today we have two plumbers doing all sorts of plumbing repairs from leaking gas lines to new faucet installations. A lot of times a homeowner who have started a home repair project calls and ask for help to get it completed. The project turned into more work than they were prepared for. If you need plumbing services, Give us a call, or find us on the internet were here to help! but call early Saturday fills up fast. And of course we are open Sundays for emergencies.

What to Expect from Tankless Water Heaters

As sales of on-demand, instant, or tankless water heater sales skyrocket in the US, more consumers are starting to wonder: are tankless water heaters worth it? As of 2009, they had taken roughly 8% of the market, with expected increases of that figure in 2010. Because the technology is beneficial to the environment but can involve some inconveniences, I feel that people should be able to look at an unbiased source to decide for themselves what is best for them.

Advantage Number One – Conservation of Energy

Reports indicate that tankless water heaters conserve between 10-30% of the energy that conventional water heaters use, which means that without a doubt they are beneficial to the environment. On average, each household spends about ¼ of its energy on water heating. So, going tankless, one can expect to shave 5% off utilities.

Problems with Going Tankless – Upfront Cost

But I would not cut off my right arm to save twenty gallons of oil each year, and I would not pay $2,000 to do so either. So, the question becomes, do the disadvantages to the consumer outweigh the benefits, or not? Here's the economic perspective:

Tankless units are more expensive (almost 2x the cost of conventional water heaters). However, one of the reasons they have become more popular, despite the price gap, is Energy Star, the Environmental Protection Agency's seal of approval on products that are beneficial to the environment. Any water heater with the Energy Star seal will allow for a tax refund for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500. For more information on Energy Star, see my other blog entry on Hybrid Water Heaters.

But even with the government incentives, tankless water heaters are still more expensive, especially due to increased installation costs. Gas powered heaters, in particular, which are more efficient and have a higher output (more gallons/minute) than their electric counterparts accrue installation costs that can rival the cost of conventional units, as new gas lines must be made from scratch. Free estimates in the California Peninsula can be found here.

Tankless – Less Convenient?

Consumers report that tankless water heaters have problems with either small or large demands. On the large side of the spectrum, that means that running the dishwasher and shower simultaneously can overrun some units. While paying a little more attention to the hot water consumption in one's home is not a deal breaker, at least in my opinion, it is definitely a red mark.

On the small end, the amount of hot water required for washing one's face, or shaving, is not enough to turn many units on. As a result, adjustments must be made, say, by filling the sink with hot water instead.

Some Useful Resources for Further Reading

• The most useful consumer review

• The most comprehensive, technical, but easy-to-understand explanation of tankless heaters, with gallon per minute (gpm) ratings on most household water sources, flow rates, etc.