Orangeburg Pipe Downfall

The Beginning of the End

Because of World War II and following post war housing boom, there were almost 500 tons of Orangeburg pipe shipped out to customers per week during the 1950s and 1960s. However, it was becoming evident that Orangeburg pipe had a tendency to deform and had a lifespan of only 10 to 50 years. It wasn’t uncommon for Orangeburg pipe to fail in less than 10 years.

To help combat deforming and rupture, manufacturers suggested that Orangeburg pipes be bedding in gravel or sand. However, when Orangeburg pipe does break it can be hard to fix with having to replace pipe. This becomes difficult if the pipe is buried or in the walls of a building. Also, modern plumbing techniques such as snaking and hydro jetting can cause damage to the pipes if they have become deformed.

Competition

Although the Orangeburg Manufacturing Company had little competition from other fiber conduit companies, they did have competition from other materials. In the late 1960s, the PVC pipe industry began to emerge as a threat to the Orangeburg Manufacturing Company. PVC piping was a cheaper pipe that was more reliable than Orangeburg and had a longer lifespan. These qualities made it more suitable for usage with drain and sewer lines.

As the 1970s started, PVC was quickly becoming the go to material for drain and sewer lines. The Orangeburg Manufacturing Company was having a hard time competing with the PVC. In the fall of 1972, the Orangeburg New York plant closed. However, the fiber conduit remains in the same roads, streets and buildings it was originally built in. Furthermore, millions of feet of Orangeburg pipe are still in use across the United States.

Orangeburg Pipe Services from RooterMD Plumbing

If you think you have Orangeburg pipe in your home or business then contact the professionals at Rooter MD to inspect your building. We have the tools and methods to replace your Orangeburg pipes and improve your buildings water quality and value. Contact Rooter MD Plumbing today at 248-888-7777, so we can inspect your pipes, find the problem, and suggest the best plan of action.