Bituminous Fiber Sewer Pipe

During the industrial age in the United States, a unique type of conduit evolved, one whose
wall was made of ground cellulose (wood) fibres bound together with a special water
resistant adhesive, and, thereafter, impregnated with liquefied coal tar pitch. The first known
use of "fibre" pipe was for water transmission: a 1.5-mile pipeline in the Boston area, which
stayed in service for 60+ years (1865-1927). Nothing more happened with the commercial
manufacturing of this “pipe” until the late 1800s … when it was made, and used, exclusively
as a “conduit” … not yet as a pipe.
In 1893, Stephen Bradley, Sr. (then owner of the Union Electric Company and the Nyack
Electric Light and Power Company) founded the Fibre Conduit Company in Orangeburg,
New York.
During the following forty years, the fibre conduit business flourished -- many buildings
used the 5-foot laying length conduit (formed in a "flattened," i.e., more oval-shaped, cross-
section) for running electrical lines throughout the floors/walls of new structures. Many
companies got into the business of manufacturing this type of conduit. (Its use for sewage
conveyance was still many years off.) Some of the more notable buildings containing miles
of the fibre electrical conduit were the New York Park Avenue Tower and the Empire State
Building … along with other skyscrapers in New York City and other cities. Demand for the
fibre conduit rose even higher during World War II … for use in constructing the armed
forces' new airfields and military bases.
In the early years of the 1900s, the market expanded for fibre conduit. Subways were being
built beneath the larger eastern seaboard cities; fibre conduit was used to contain electrical,
telephone, telegraph, etc., wiring within the subway tunnels. It was also used to create
underground duct banks for electrical, etc. distribution under streets and roads; and in direct
burial situations along railroad rights-of-way to carry wiring. It was later tried out by the
petroleum industry (as a “pipe”) to convey waste “salt water,” resulting from oil drilling
operations, cross-country to points of disposal or treatment. It was soon learned that under
“pressure” situations it did not hold together ... under “gravity” circumstances, it performed
well (as such, setting the stage for its later use as “gravity” sewer pipe … starting in the mid
to late 1940s). During the petroleum “trial” days (1937 – 1944), the fibre conduit pipe tested
was called “Alkacid” by the Fibre Conduit Co. of Orangeburg, NY. The oil industry soon
stopped using the fibre “Alkacid” pipe, and started using cement-asbestos pipe … as then
manufactured by the Johns-Manville and Keasby & Mattison Companies.

Several companies made fibre conduit in the early 1900s, including, but not limited to:

American ( East Chicago, Ill)

J – M Fibre Conduit ( Lockport, NY)

Bermico (by the Brown Co. of Berlin, NH)

American ( Fulton, NY)

Fibre Conduit Co. ( Orangeburg, NY)

Fibre Conduit was by far the largest producer. The conduit (and later, the sewer pipe) made
by many of these companies were all made in basic accordance with the applicable
Commercial and ASTM Standards ( see list later in this document). Oftentimes, it was hard
to recognize one manufacturer’s product from that of another’s.

The name of the Fibre Conduit Company was changed to the Orangeburg Manufacturing
Company in 1948. The post-war housing building boom was then underway, and the types
of pipe then available ( and affordable) for sewer and drains were limited. A heavier-walled
(formed by the centrifugal lamination of several layers of ground wood cellulose fibres) and
round version of the fibre conduit was developed and sold as "Orangeburg" pipe (in sizes
ranging from 2" to 18" I. D.) for sewer and drain applications (including a perforated version
for leach fields, and as drain tile for farm fields). The joints were made with couplings of
similar material -- utilizing no gaskets, joint sealant, etc., just simple compression, thus,
making the pipe potentially susceptible to I/I and/or root intrusion. The pipe was lightweight
(but brittle), and it could be cut by hand with carpenter saws.

Then, in the late 1960s PVC pipe came along. PVC sewer pipe product was cheaper for
sewer line applications. The Orangeburg, New York, plant closed in the fall of 1972.
Millions of feet of the fiber electrical conduit are still in service within building structures
and under our nation’s streets/roads. A similar amount of the fiber conduit sewer pipe is still
in service as home sewer lines, in leach fields, etc., throughout the United States. Right,
wrong, or indifferent, fiber conduit pipe became a well used sewer/plumbing pipe. Such pipe
was referred to commonly as “Orangeburg” pipe, no matter which company made it.

 
 Sample of Orangeburg Pipe, 4" Diameter (AZ Water Collection System
History Exhibit)

How long does Orangeburg Pipe last?

Orangeburg has a life expectancy of approximately 50 years. After 30 years,
deformation may begin to occur. All homes with Orangeburg pipe are pre-1972 and
40 or more years old. That could put your house at risk.

What happens when the Orangeburg piping begins to deteriorate?

Once the product begins to break down homeowners can expect frequent clogged
lines, tree root invasion and even total pipe collapse. Once the deterioration process
begins, Orangeburg sewer pipes deform quickly, allowing tree roots to break in to
them and literally shred them.

Orangeburg Issues
Although Orangeburg pipe is resistant to corrosion and other damaging natural degradation, it is
more likely to fracture break and bend. Orangeburg pipe is no longer used in new
constructions for its flaws, and is against the International Plumbing Code (IPC).

Tree Root Damage

Tree root damage is the most common cause of fractures and breaks forming in Orangeburg
piping. Because Orangeburg is a much more pliable material, a tree roots natural growth will
compress bend and even break an Orangeburg pipe. When this occurs you can experience
sewage leakages and backups in your home.
Chemical Corrosion
Chemical corrosion is another leading cause of rapid degeneration and failure. When chemicals
are improperly disposed and flushed down the drain they will eat away at the interior of the
Orangeburg pipe. The bitumen cement used to form the Orangeburg pipe will stand up to
moisture, but it does react to harsh chemicals like drain cleaner, other oils, polymers, and some
household cleaners.

Ground Shifting and Sinking

Shifting ground either from natural settling or the addition of new infrastructure or weight onto
the soil can cause the Orangeburg pipe to collapse. Under uneven pressure and from naturally
degrading over time, the Orangeburg pipe will begin to lose its original shape.
Know the Orangeburg Warning Signs

First and foremost, if you’re buying a home that was built before 1980, have a professional
plumber do an inspection to ensure there’s not Orangeburg piping (if there is, you can subtract
the replacement estimate from your offer).

If you’re already settled and are unsure whether you have Orangeburg piping, the previous
homeowner or city documents may have the answer; if not, it’s again best to bring in a
professional plumber who can do an inspection for you.

However, there are a few warning signs to watch out for:

 Slow draining
 Frequent toilet back-ups
 Foul sewer odors inside the home
 Mold issues
 Lawn patches that appear greener than others
 Dips or indentations in the lawn
 Sinkholes in the foundation

Trenchless Technologies versus Orangeburg Replacement

If it’s determined that your Orangeburg piping is in decent shape or at least salvageable, a
professional plumber can use trenchless technologies to avoid digging up your yard. Basically,
trenchless technology involves inserting a new pipe inside the old pipe; it’s done by feeding a
liner inside the pipe, inflating it, and curing it to seal it in place.

If your Orangeburg piping is beyond repair, however, full replacement with PVC piping will
need to be initiated to avoid complete collapse.

Possible Solutions for Broken Orangeburg Pipe

For Orangeburg pipe and sewer lines (the pipe standard in homes built from the mid-1940s to
early 1970s), 30-50 years is the generally accepted life expectancy. For many homes, particularly
those built in the 60s and 70s that have not yet been updated with more durable pipe materials,
this means Orangeburg pipe failure could occur at any given moment. 

What should homeowners do when their aging Orangeburg pipes fail? It’s only a matter of time
until breakage or collapse occurs, given their lifespans. What’s the most affordable way to repair
or replace Orangeburg pipe when the time comes?

The right solution for your broken Orangeburg pipe depends on a few key factors, which change
based on circumstance. Things like pipe depth, the type of break and its extent all affect what
solution is best suited for your home. In this blog, we outline these solutions, as well as their pros
and cons based on situation.