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Sewer Pipe Types

Common types of sewer pipes

Whether your sewer and drain pipes are cast iron, clay, pvc, abs or made of some other material, we have the right tools and the experienced plumbers to clean, descale, relign, and renew them.

Plastic (PVC and ABS) Sewer Pipe

Plastic sewer pipes for underground installation are available in both ABS and PVC. Both types of pipe have smooth interiors for an excellent carrying capacity of solid waste matter.

The smooth exteriors also help resist (but not entirely prevent) roots. PVC has low pressure ratings: about 100 psi for 4-inch pipe.

Plastic sewer pipe in 4-inch diameter is usually the material of choice for DIY because it's lightweight, easy to cut, inexpensive, and available at all home centers. Also, plastic pipe can be tied into cast-iron and clay pipe. PVC sewer pipes last about 100 years.

Pros

  • Smooth interiors and exteriors

  • Root-resistant

  • Easy to cut and lightweight

  • Inexpensive​

Cons

  • Low-pressure rating

  • Easily degrades from chemical reactions

  • Contains chemicals

  • Can break when frozen or warp in excessive heat

Clay Sewer Pipe

Clay sewer pipe is still used today, though if you are a do-it-yourself homeowner, you probably won't want to choose this for your sewer line replacement. Clay pipe is heavy and can be tricky to cut. Usually, your choice of sewer pipe is driven by what your home improvement store has on hand. The major retail store no not carry clay pipe.

While clay pipe may seem outdated, it is a capable form of sewer pipe. One great benefit of clay pipe over plastic pipe is that it does not move and does not react with other elements, so it is highly resistant to chemical degradation. 

Clay sewer pipe has a porous surface, so it will attract tree roots. Roots that grow against clay pipe may eventually cause the pipe to crack. The leak then attracts more roots. 

Pros

  • Does not degrade from chemicals

  • Environment Friendly

  • Economical

  • Durable and strong​

Cons

  • Heavy

  • Difficult to cut and join

  • Porous material attracts roots

  • Can crack

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