Sewer Inspector
Sewer Pipe Gallery
We know the perfect home doesn't always mean a perfect side sewer. We also know that a new home doesn't guarantee a new sewer pipe. Below are examples of the many different pipe materials we see, septic sewers included with varying degrees of maintenance and repair issues observed during our inspections.
ABS Pipe
ABS pipe is a black plastic drain tube commonly used for interior drains and venting. ABS pipe has been used most commonly from the mid 1970's to present day. Periodically ABS pipe is observed as an exterior drainpipe in pipe replacement. The 10-foot segment joints are glued, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Cast Iron Pipe
Cast Iron Pipe is a black metal drain tube commonly used for interior drain and venting. Cast Iron pipe has been used most commonly from the late 1800's through the mid 1970's. Periodically Cast Iron pipe is observed as an exterior drainpipe. The 6-foot segment joints are connected with lead biscuits and the pipe interior is typically rough.
Concrete Pipe
Concrete pipe is a grey hardened aggregate drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. Concrete pipe has been used most commonly from the 1920's through the mid 1970's. The 3-foot segment joints are connected with mortar and the pipe interior is typically rough.
Clay Pipe
Clay pipe is a tan fire hardened drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. Clay pipe has been used most commonly from the late 1800's through the mid 1920's. The 3-foot segment joints are connected with mortar and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Orangeburg Pipe
Orangeburg pipe is a black wood chip and tar drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. Orangeburg pipe has been used most commonly from the mid 1950's to the mid 1970's with a high concentration of use in the 1960's. The 6-foot segment joints are connected with pressure or friction and the pipe interior is typically rough.
Pipe Burst
Pipe Bursts typically use HDPE or MDPE a black plastic drain tube commonly used for exterior drains. HDPE or MDPE pipe has been used most commonly from the late 1980's to present day. The 20-foot segment joints are welded, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Pipe Liner
Pipe Liners typically use a white or green polyester or fiberglass epoxy coated drain tube commonly used in exterior drainpipes. Pipe liners have been used most commonly from the mid 1980's to present day. The lined segment joints are not visible. The liner is seamless in the install area and the interior is typically semi-smooth.
PVC Pipe (SDR 21)
PVC pipe (SDR 21) is a plastic drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. PVC pipe (SDR 21) has been used most commonly from the 1990's to present day. The 10-to-20-foot segment joints typically contain rubber gaskets, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
PVC Pipe (SDR35)
PVC pipe (SDR 35) is a plastic drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. PVC pipe (SDR 35) has been used most commonly from the mid 70's to present day. The 10-to-20-foot segment joints typically contain rubber gaskets and white PVC fittings, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
PVC Pipe (Schedule 40)
PVC pipe (Schedule 40) is a plastic drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. PVC pipe (Schedule 40) has been used most commonly from the 70's to present day. The 10-to-20-foot glued segment joints typically contain visible purple primer, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Transite Pipe
Transite pipe is a grey hardened aggregate and asbestos reinforced drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. Transit pipe has been used most commonly from the 1940's through the mid 1960's. The 5-foot segment joints are connected with rubber gaskets and the pipe interior is typically semi rough.
Septic ABS Pipe
ABS pipe is a black plastic drain tube commonly used for interior drains and venting. ABS pipe has been used most commonly from the mid 1970's to present day. Periodically ABS pipe is observed as an exterior drainpipe in pipe replacement. The 10-foot segment joints are glued, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Septic PVC Pipe (SDR 21)
PVC pipe (SDR 21) is a plastic drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. PVC pipe (SDR 21) has been used most commonly from the 1990's to present day. The 10-to-20-foot segment joints typically contain rubber gaskets, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Septic PVC Pipe (SDR 35)
PVC pipe (SDR 35) is a plastic drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. PVC pipe (SDR 35) has been used most commonly from the mid 70's to present day. The 10-to-20-foot segment joints typically contain rubber gaskets and white PVC fittings, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Septic PVC Pipe (Schedule 40)
PVC pipe (Schedule 40) is a plastic drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. PVC pipe (Schedule 40) has been used most commonly from the 70's to present day. The 10-to-20-foot glued segment joints typically contain visible purple primer, and the pipe interior is typically smooth.
Septic Concrete Pipe
Concrete pipe is a grey hardened aggregate drain tube commonly used as an exterior drainpipe. Concrete pipe has been used most commonly from the 1920's through the mid 1970's. The 3-foot segment joints are connected with mortar and the pipe interior is typically rough. This property was listed as sewer connected. The inspection discovered the house was actually septic connected.
