Plastic sewer lines are made of PVC and these types of pipes generally last for about 75 years (maybe more). If your home has PVC pipes and you know they were installed when the home was built, then you can make a good “guesstimate” on how much longer those pipes will last.

If you are considering changing your sewere pipe line from a different type of material to a PVC product – we can tell you that you will have a long lifetime of use with those types of pipes.

Here is a list of the normal lifespan of other types of pipes for comparison.

Polybutylene – 10 to 15 years
Galvanized Steel – 20 to 50 years
Pex – 40 years
Brass – 40 to 70 years
Clay – 50 to 60 years
Copper – 50 to 70 years
PVC – 75 years
Cast Iron – 75 to 100 years
Lead – 100 years

If you do end up deciding to re-pipe your home, your plumber can discuss with you the pros and cons of each of these different types of materials and of course, the cost difference.

How Long Do Main Sewer Lines Last?

Sewer lines only last as long as the material they are made out of. From the list above, you can get the general range of the number of years

Can You Use PVC For Sewer Line?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, PVC pipes are the most common type of sewer line pipes used today. Drive by any new construction site and you will most likely see white, pvc pipes being used for a great majority of the plumbing, including the sewer lines.

PVC pipes have a long lifespan and it’s fairly inexpensive compared to other types of pipes. In addition, PVC is more resistant to the invasion of tree roots than any other pipe material.


If you have any questions about sewer pipes or are having some problems with one, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.