Terracotta (Clay) Pipes
Terracotta pipes, also called vitrified clay pipes, are made of a clay-based ceramic. Their origin can be traced back to 4,000 BCE in Babylonia. That`s a long time! Modern clay pipes are air-dried for at least 24 hours before they are fired in a kiln for at least 50 hours.
Clay pipes are:
[Green" – Terracotta pipes are made using recycled clay, water, and other organic materials. There`s no plastic or metals.
Unaffected by acids – Unlike cast-iron pipes, which are prone to corrosion, clay pipes are naturally resistant to acidic wastewater.
On the downside, clay pipes are heavy, difficult to work with, hard to transport, susceptible to roots and leaks, and can crush easily. If your clay pipes start to fail, most plumbers will recommend replacing the entire sewer line rather than repairing a small section.
Cast-iron Pipes
Cast-iron pipes are made of a metal alloy containing iron, carbon, and silicone. Because cast-iron is not malleable, meaning it cannot be hammered or pressed into shape, the pipes are cast in a mold before they are installed.
Cast-iron pipes are:
Long-lasting – With proper care, cast-iron pipes can last from 50 to 100 years. Unfortunately, things like the weather, tree roots, shifting soil, and water quality can cut into their life-use.
Durable – Cast-iron pipes can withstand heavy loads and high pressure. Think about cast-iron pots and pans. With proper care, they can maintain their strength for a long time.
Noise-canceling – Cast-iron pipes are very dense and difficult to vibrate. Compared to PVC, which rattles and shakes, you can only hear waste flowing if you put your ear up to the pipe.
Learn if cast-iron drain pipes are still useful.
Orangeburg Pipes
Orangeburg pipes (also known as [fiber conduit," [bituminous fiber pipe," or [Bermico") are made of wood fibers, special water-resistant adhesive, and liquefied coal tar. Orangeburg pipes were a very common material back in the 1930s.
Builders used Orangeburg pipes because they were cheap, easy to cut, and weighed less than other pipes. Other than that, these pipes don`t come with a lot of good qualities. These pipes are known to fail in less than ten years. Because Orangeburg pipes are so weak, sewer cleaning solutions such as hydro-jetting can actually damage or destroy them.
(To be continued...)
