Pipe materials
What Is My Sewer Pipe Made Of?
Short answer: older Los Angeles homes usually have clay, cast iron or fiber pipe, and newer ones have plastic. You often cannot tell from above ground, which is why a camera pass matters. The material decides whether hydro jetting is safe.
Common sewer pipe materials
- Vitrified clay (older homes)
- Cast iron
- Bituminized fiber, often called Orangeburg
- ABS or PVC plastic (newer)
A camera shows the real material and condition.
The materials you are likely to find
| Material | Where you see it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Clay | Many older homes | Strong in the pipe body, but joints can let roots in |
| Cast iron | Older homes and some building drains | Can rust and scale on the inside over time |
| Fiber (Orangeburg) | Mid-century homes | Soft pipe that can deform or collapse with age |
| ABS or PVC | Newer homes and repairs | Smooth wall, generally the easiest to clean |
| Concrete | Some older and larger lines | Can corrode and roughen |
Dates and materials vary. The age of the house is a clue, not proof.
Last updated October 2026.
How to find out what yours is
- Check the age of the house. Records from the city or your property file may list the work done.
- Look at your cleanout. The pipe you can see near the cap may be a different material from the rest of the line.
- Ask a plumber for a camera inspection. It shows the material, joints, cracks and low spots from the inside.
- Ask for the video. You can keep it for repairs and for resale.
Learn what a camera pass shows on the sewer camera inspection page.
Which materials can be hydro jetted
Hydro jetting is a good fit for most plastic, clay and cast iron lines in sound condition. It needs more care on pipe that is thin, cracked, offset or deformed.
- Plastic and sound clay: usually fine, with the nozzle matched to the line.
- Rusted cast iron: can be cleaned, but the plumber should check how thin the wall is.
- Fiber or collapsed pipe: a camera pass first, because high pressure can make a weak pipe worse.
More in can hydro jetting damage pipes.
Who can tell you
Hydro Jetting Los Angeles is a referral service operated by Hydro Jet Pros LA. We are not the plumbing contractor. We connect you with Mike Anderson, a local plumber with 12+ years of experience, whose team does the camera work and the cleaning.
What each material tends to do over time
- Clay: strong, but made in short sections. Joints can open and let roots in.
- Cast iron: can corrode and scale on the inside, which narrows the pipe.
- Fiber (Orangeburg): made of wood pulp and tar. A trade article says it tends to warp after roughly 30 years and can collapse (PHCP Pros).
- ABS and PVC: smooth and light, and the usual choice for newer lines. They can still sag or crack.
Where to look for clues
- The age of the house and any past sewer work.
- A seller’s disclosure or past inspection report.
- The pipe at the cleanout cap, if you can see it.
- Notes from the last plumber who worked on the line.
These give hints, not proof. Only a camera or an exposed section shows the real material.
If the camera shows old or fragile pipe
You are not stuck. Options include gentle cleaning, spot repair, lining or replacement, depending on what the footage shows. A repair decision should come after seeing the footage. See can hydro jetting damage pipes.
Common questions
Can I tell my pipe material from the outside?
Sometimes, from the cleanout fitting, but not reliably. A camera is the only way to see the line itself.
Is my pipe the city’s or mine?
The pipe from your house to the property line or the main is yours. The main under the street belongs to the city. See who is responsible.
Do I have to replace old clay or cast iron?
Not automatically. If the camera shows a sound line, cleaning is enough. Replacement is a repair decision after the inspection.
Not sure what is in your ground?
Call and tell us what you are seeing, and a local plumber will talk you through the next step.