When it comes to buying or maintaining a home, one of the most overlooked issues lies underground—literally. While roofs and foundations get attention, sewer lines are often forgotten until there’s a costly problem. And in Simi Valley, there’s one specific threat we’ve seen more than anywhere else: Orangeburg pipes.
What Are Orangeburg Pipes?
Orangeburg is a type of sewer pipe made from wood pulp and tar. It was commonly used from the 1940s through the 1970s, especially in fast-growing suburban areas.
The problem? It doesn’t last.
Orangeburg deteriorates over time, softens when wet, and can easily collapse under pressure. If your current or future home was built before 1980 and hasn’t had a sewer upgrade, there’s a good chance this outdated material is still buried under your yard.
Why Simi Valley Homes Are at Higher Risk
At Sewer Scope Pros of SFV, we inspect residential sewer lines throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. And Simi Valley stands out.
It’s the city where we’ve found the highest number of Orangeburg pipes. Many homes in Simi were built during the post-war housing boom, exactly when Orangeburg was the material of choice.
Over the last year, we’ve scoped dozens of sewer lines in Simi Valley, and time and again, we run into the same issue: fragile, deformed Orangeburg pipes that are well past their expected lifespan.
Common Orangeburg Pipe Problems
Orangeburg pipes aren’t just outdated—they’re dangerous to your plumbing system.
Here’s what we often find during inspections:
- Pipes collapsing or sagging
- Tree roots growing right through the pipe walls
- Blisters and bubbles that restrict flow
- Complete blockages causing backups into the home
Because Orangeburg absorbs moisture and flattens over time, the pipe walls lose shape. This makes it harder for waste to travel to the city sewer line, leading to slow drains and sudden emergencies.
Sewer Line Problems in Simi Valley
Sewer lines in Simi Valley homes frequently show:
- Root intrusion
- Cracked clay or concrete pipe segments
- Offsets, where pipe joints no longer align
- Low spots (also called “bellies”) that trap water and debris
But when Orangeburg is involved, the risk of a complete failure goes way up. These pipes often look like wet cardboard after years underground—and they fail suddenly.
How to Know If You Have Orangeburg
The only reliable way to find out is through a sewer camera inspection. A standard home inspection won’t catch this.
A sewer inspector inserts a high-resolution camera into your home’s main sewer line to check for damage, deformations, and material type.
Signs of Orangeburg usually include:
- Oval or flattened pipes
- Interior blistering or bubbling
- Dark, wavy, inconsistent pipe texture
- Partial or total collapse
If we find it, we’ll document the condition and explain your options clearly.
Protecting Your Home (and Wallet)
If you’re buying a home in Simi Valley—or already own one built before 1980—don’t wait for a backup to inspect your sewer line.
Sewer repairs or replacements can cost thousands, and damage from backups can be even worse. Knowing the condition of your system in advance helps you budget for repairs or negotiate during escrow.
It’s a small investment that protects you from big problems.
Final Thoughts
Simi Valley has more than its fair share of homes with aging, high-risk Orangeburg sewer lines. These pipes fail silently—until they don’t.
If your home was built during the post-war boom, or if you’re buying in one of Simi Valley’s older neighborhoods, schedule a sewer inspection before problems surface.
At Sewer Scope Pros of SFV, we specialize in non-invasive, professional sewer inspections. Our reports are detailed, honest, and delivered fast—usually the same day. We help you understand what’s under your home so you can protect what’s inside it.
Don’t guess. Let’s scope it. Book your Simi Valley sewer inspection today.