Orangeburg Nightmare

Our sewage line had to be replaced in the summer of 2008, right when everyone started talking about the mortgage meltdown. What no one talked about was the timing of this crisis with the expiration of Orangeburg sewage pipe, which has only a 50 year lifespan.

The use of Orangeburg pipe was banned in the early 1970s, meaning that some homeowners are now due for a nasty surprise.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• shoddy
• construction
• Orangeburg
• pipe
• plumbing
• sewage
• mortgage
• meltdown
• crisis
• crap
• civil
• engineering
• city
• planning

[Mcegan69]

I'm going through the same thing right now. Standing sewage in the toilets, can't flush, can't drain water. Have to go to the store to crap and pee outside. Now I have to spend my weekend digging. All because of this shit piping. I hope whoever invented orangeburg drowns to death in a sea of sewage.

[USUExtension]

Yep, the backhoe is at our house finishing up today to the tune of about $13K Granted we have a long driveway. So if you are considering buying a house built in the 50s/60s as part of the inspection get the sewer line scoped to see if it is orangeburg. If it is, I would negotiate the price of the house down since it is only a matter of time before it needs to be replaced.

[highart2003]

Now that i see what your pipe looks like I now know I definitely have it under my yard and driveway.

[TheLogicJunkie]

We're dealing with this right now at my aunt's house -- it's 50 years old, almost exactly, and the tub won't drain, the toilets won't flush, and on and on.

[Seawolf071]

I am not trying to argue. I am trying to educate a process that is a mystery to most. If you trust that you are getting the best deal.then make up you mind.if it was the best deal for me I would go for it. There are among us honest plumbers, too many to count if you found one like myself then go for it. Honest meaning not fudging, like a used car salesman.

[Seawolf071]

Hopefully you were not charged for the service of a camera WITHOUT providing you with a copy. Doctors are able to get a second opinion with available x-rays or scans. When a customer agree to camera to inspect the line I charge the time involed and provided the footage with my estimates.

[Seawolf071]

I did not make any reference to nor did I work for Roto Rooter. Plumbers get laid off, if you will, and hired by another company when work dictates. So we can have a collage of experience, including sales techniques. I do not want to defame a company, Roto Rooter is a respected firm. I only wanted to direct the attention to individuals unknown to me. To question the estimate offered.

[crystalwoodi]

In fact, he wanted to find out if I could get the cd (from Roto Rooter) so that he could do his work. The other plumber from Monday wanted me to do the same. I was not impressed with the latter two as you can tell.

[crystalwoodi]

@Seawolf071, After hearing complaints about Roto Rooter I have to say that so far I have been impressed with their assessment. This guy that I am working with is the same guy who provides me direct answers & explains things in a thorough manner. I've had three estimates so far. Out of the three, I like the sound of the pipe bursting b/c I've researched that this process doesn't destroy the ground that much. The guy that came yesterday was long winded and didn't provide much detail.

[Seawolf071]

@crystalwoodi If there are any other nightmarish plumbing problems I can help with or easier ones than this post. Post a video of the problem I might be able to help. Free of charge of course but you MUST double check my suggestions to the codes in your area. I assume no responsibility.