If your home in Downtown Rialto or Flores Park was constructed between 1950 and 1985, your underground sewer lateral was almost certainly built from Vitrified Clay Pipe (VCP).
The Fatal Flaw of Vitrified Clay Tile
Clay pipes were installed in short 3-foot or 5-foot interlocking sections sealed with mortar or tar collars. Over 40+ years, soil movement dislodges these joints, creating gaps where moisture escapes and hungry tree roots enter. Furthermore, shifting soil causes shear breaks in brittle clay.
Modern ABS and PVC Sewer Pipes
Modern building codes specify smooth-walled Schedule 40 ABS or SDR-35 PVC pipe. These pipes are chemically solvent-welded into continuous, seamless runs that are completely impervious to tree roots and ground shifts. An HD sewer camera inspection reveals whether your clay lateral requires trenchless replacement.