The exact name of a sewage pipe depends on its location in the plumbing system:
The main sewer pipe that carries wastewater from a home to the city’s municipal system (or a septic tank) is typically called the main sewer line or sewer lateral.
The main sewage line for an individual property is called the main sewer line or sewer lateral. It collects all wastewater from your home's sinks, toilets, and showers and carries it out to the city's municipal sewer system or a private septic tank.
In residential and commercial plumbing, there are four primary types of pipes used: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene), Copper, and Galvanized Steel. Each material is uniquely suited for specific applications, ranging from water supply to drainage and waste.
Old sewer pipes in older homes are typically called Orangeburg, cast iron, or vitrified clay.
The Pipes to the Sewer Are Called the Main Sewer Line. Plain and simple. You might also hear it called a sewer lateral — that's just a fancy way to say “the pipe that carries all the wastewater from your house to the city's system or your septic tank.”
Plumbing pipes are broadly divided into five main materials, categorized by whether they are used for fresh water delivery or wastewater drainage. Each type serves a specific function based on its durability, temperature resistance, and cost.
The most common sewer pipe types include clay, cast iron, Orangeburg, PVC, and ABS. Each material has different strengths, different weaknesses, and different long-term repair considerations.
The primary types of pipe no longer used in modern residential plumbing are polybutylene (PB), lead, galvanized steel, and bituminous fiber (Orangeburg). These materials were phased out due to severe failures, health hazards, or poor durability, often causing leaks, low water pressure, or toxic contamination.
PMRs for malignancies of the stomach, kidney, brain, and lymphopoietic system were also elevated, especially among plumbers. Chronic rheumatic heart disease, emphysema, liver cirrhosis, and all external causes of death were the major non-cancer causes with significantly elevated PMRs.
A sanitary sewer is an underground pipe or tunnel system for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings (but not stormwater) to a sewage treatment plant or disposal. Sanitary sewer installation with PVC pipe. Sanitary sewers are sized to carry the amount of sewage generated by the collection area.
A common sewer line is a lateral house drain connection that is shared by more than one house. Unless very large buildings, or a great many houses, are connected the size of the shared sewer line is still 6″ in diameter.
Slang for a "pipe" depends entirely on context—whether you are talking about smoking, plumbing, or everyday objects.
The main pipe that collects all the wastewater and sewage from your home and carries it to the city sewer system or a septic tank is called the main sewer line or building sewer.
In the 1960s, sewer pipes were primarily made of cast iron, bituminous fiber (Orangeburg), and vitrified clay. Because of the materials' aging lifespans, many homes from this era require sewer line evaluations or replacements.
The white sewer pipe is most commonly called PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) pipe. Within the plumbing system, these are specifically categorized as DWV (Drain, Waste, and Vent) pipes.
In the 1950s, sewer pipes were primarily made of cast iron and clay (vitrified clay). For a low-cost, lightweight alternative that conserved steel after World War II, builders also used Orangeburg pipe (bituminous fiber or tar paper) and sometimes Transite (an asbestos-cement mixture).
The two most commonly used types of pipes are Copper and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). They are the industry standards for household and commercial water supply lines due to their reliability and specific benefits:
The "135-degree rule" in plumbing states that the total (aggregate) horizontal change in direction for a drainage pipe—specifically trap arms—cannot exceed 135 degrees between the P-trap and the vent. Exceeding 135 degrees (such as using three 45-degree bends or a 90 and two 45s) requires a cleanout because sharp turns hinder flow and cause clogs.
Sewage is broadly classified into three main types based on its origin and composition: domestic, industrial, and storm sewage.
The five most common types of plumbing pipes are PEX, PVC, Copper, ABS, and Cast Iron. Each material has specific strengths that make it ideal for different parts of a plumbing system.
PVC is the most used material in modern times to build sewer systems because of its strength and durability. Moreover, PVC pipes are corrosion resistant making them last longer and work better than any other pipe material. – Sanitary sewers convey wastewater from homes and offices to wastewater treatment plants.
Copper pipes remain popular among plumbers and homeowners alike because they are corrosion-resistant and best suited to protect the quality of the water. Copper pipes are able to handle high water pressure and are tolerant of both hot and cold water temperatures.
The most common pipe used for a toilet drain is Schedule 40 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic. These materials are preferred because they are durable, resist rust and corrosion, and have smooth interiors that prevent clogs.
PVC pipes are generally categorized into four main types based on their chemical composition and structural design: PVC-U (Unplasticized), C-PVC (Chlorinated), PVC-O (Molecularly Oriented), and PVC-Hi/M (High-Impact/Modified). Each is designed for specific pressure, temperature, and structural requirements.