Aging Underground Infrastructure in the U.S.
It has been estimated that the United States’ water infrastructure is comprised of approximately 2.2 million miles of underground piping. In some of the older cities across the country, original pipe systems dating back a full century are still in use. As these water and waste systems age, the more likely they are to fail partially or completely. Over the years, the United States has begun “piping” money into our aging infrastructure, however, the majority of the focus has been on above ground structures. Which is more likely to be noticed; an aging bridge that is walked and driven over daily, or a corroded pipe that is buried feet below the ground? Obviously, the bridge is going to get most of the attention. It’s a fairly simple concept, “Out of sight, out of mind”.
According to a 2021 report from the American Society of Civil Engineers, a water main break occurs every 2 minutes in the United States. (www.popsci.com) On a smaller scale, households are no different. It’s much easier to recognize a leaky roof, a failing appliance, a rotting deck, etc. It’s not always easy to know when your underground pipes are failing or in need of being replaced. Most homeowners have never even seen their underground pipes or even know what type of pipe they even have. Hopefully, this article will help you recognize if your system is aging and what the nest step should be.
How Old Could Your Pipes Be?
Over the years many different materials have been used to construct the underground pipes that run water and waste to and from homes. Some of those materials are tried and true and are still utilized today, and some are no longer being offered as an option. Clay pipes were an extremely popular option for houses until they began being phased out in the 1980’s. Before then, they had been used since the beginning of plumbing. Clay pipes have been found under the earth near housing structures dating all the way back to Babylon roughly 6,000 years ago. Over the years, clay piping has stopped being as popular as it once was, due to it being heavy to transport and brittle. Clay pipes are also more prone to tree roots growing into them and causing damage. The average lifespan of clay pipes is about 60 years or so.
Another type of pipe that can still be found under the ground of some older houses is Orangeburg pipe. Orangeburg, also known as “fiber conduit” was mainly utilized between the 1940’s and the 1970’s. Orangeburg consisted of wood fibers that were compressed together and then bound with hot tar pitch. After WWII, many praised the use of Orangeburg, because it was super lightweight and a much cheaper option, making it more affordable for the average homeowner. Over the years, as it was being used for homes all across America, it became apparent that with its cheapness, came a price. Originally, homeowners were told that they could expect 50 years of life out of the pipe, most were seeing closer to 30. Under the worst conditions, some homeowners were having to dig it up after 10 years. Because of this short lifespan, it has since been marked off the list as acceptable materials to use for underground pipes. If your home was built prior to the 1980’s, there’s a chance that Orangeburg could still be lingering.
If your home was built in the 1970’s or earlier, there is a likely chance that cast iron pipes were used for your underground piping system. Cast iron is durable and strong, still making it a decent choice, in today’s standard. It is less likely to leak than some other options and it can withstand high water pressure. There are downsides to cast iron, though. One disadvantage is that is
extremely heavy, which can make it more difficult to install. Its biggest disadvantage is that it is prone to corrode and rust. Water and waste will eventually eat through it. Most often, it will corrode from the inside out, so it can sometimes be hard to detect. Cast iron piping is still a good option, though, due to its longevity. the average life span for this type is 75- 100 years. If maintenance is performed during the service life of cast iron, this will most likely extend the life of the pipe. Services such as hydro jet cleaning, chain cleaning and pipe lining are all options that are typically utilized.
Homes built in the 1980’s and after have a high probability of having plastic pipes installed. PVC technically started being used earlier than that in parts of the U.S., however, the popularity of it significantly increased around the end of the 1970’s. Plastic pipe brought on a new era for piping. PVC, ABS, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and other plastic pipe is a much lighter material, making it easier and faster to work with and install. It’s also cheaper to manufacture, allowing it to be a very affordable option. Plastic piping is considered a highly desirable material due to its smoothness on the inside and its ability to completely resist corrosion. Because it is smooth on the 
inside, this allows the liquid flowing through it to pass with ease, making it less likely for the sides of the pipe to grab sediment or other materials, causing eventual clogging. States across the U.S. have different standards in their codes for which plastic piping can be used for underground plumbing. The most commonly used is HDPE. Some municipalities require all underground pipe be HDPE.
The piping material listed above are not the only underground pipes that are utilized. These are usually just the most common that you will run across. Over the years, standards for what is considered a good choice have changed considerably. Also, over time, municipalities across the U.S. have increased the amount of water pressure that is required to continuously run through the underground pipe systems. As our underground pipes age and come closer to the end of their life span, this water pressure can put a major strain on them. Water service pipes are under a constant state of pressure, so they are being “tested” all of the time. If there is a weak point within the pipe, that pressure will overtake it eventually.
There are many ways and reasons that a pipe can fail. Everything from the properties of the material used, soil type, environmental conditions, attention to detail when initially buried, even stray electric current underground, can all be factors in how long your pipes last. It’s fairly important to know which material was used for your underground pipe systems, especially in older homes. The older your home is, the more likely it is that your pipes are closer to the end of their lifespan, unless they have already failed and have been replaced with a newer material. So how do you know if your underground pipes are failing? Some signs are a lot more noticeable than others.
Signs and Symptoms That Your Underground Pipes May Be Failing:
- Low water pressure/ flow
- Frequent clogging or slow draining
- Higher water bills
- Odors
- Soggy spots or greener spots in your yard
- Water pooling around the foundation of your home
- Foundation cracks
- Discolored water coming from your faucets
- Gurgling sounds from your toilet
- Insect/ Rodent problems
- Mold
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, there is a likely chance that there is damage to your underground pipes. Hiring a professional to come out and assess the situation will be a pretty important next step. Most likely, whoever you call will come out and utilize a sewer inspection camera to get a closer look at the inside of your piping system, which will lead to the answers that you need. Leaving damaged pipes underground, unrepaired, can lead to some major (and costly) issues for you and your home. If you feel that skiwi can be of some assistance to you, please feel free to reach out to us, we’re here to help!
