If you own a home built between 1940 and 1970, you likely know to check for lead paint and asbestos insulation. But there is a third hidden hazard that general home inspectors often miss: Transite Pipe.

Transite is the trade name for Asbestos-Cement (AC) pipe. For decades, it was the "miracle material" for sewer mains, water lines, and HVAC venting because it was corrosion-resistant and cheaper than metal.

Today, those pipes are deteriorating. If you try to cut, sand, or remove them like regular PVC, you risk releasing millions of microscopic asbestos fibers into your home’s air.

What is Transite Pipe?

Transite is made of portland cement mixed with up to 50% asbestos fibers (usually chrysotile or crocidolite asbestos). The fibers acted like rebar, giving the cement incredible strength without the weight of iron.

Common Uses in Residential Homes:

Sewer Laterals: The main line connecting your house to the street.
Furnace Flues/Vents: White, cement-looking pipes sticking out of chimneys or roofs.
Water Mains: Often used by city utilities, but sometimes found on private property in rural areas.

How to Identify Transite Pipe

You cannot confirm asbestos just by looking (only a lab test can do that), but Transite has a very distinct look.

Color: Light grey to chalky white.
Texture: Looks like concrete but smoother. If it is degrading, it may look "fuzzy" or fibrous where the cement has worn away.
Sound: If tapped (gently!) with a coin, it creates a dull "thud" rather than the "ring" of metal or the "clack" of plastic.
The "Couplings": Transite pipes were often connected with distinct, thick collars of the same material.

CRITICAL WARNING: If you see a pipe that fits this description, DO NOT sand it, cut it, or break it. Intact Transite is "non-friable" (safe). Broken Transite is "friable" (deadly).

The "Trenchless" Trap: Why You Can't Just "Pipe Burst" It

If you read our Sewer Replacement Guide, you know we love Pipe Bursting (breaking the old pipe while pulling in a new one).

You typically CANNOT pipe burst Transite. Standard pipe bursting grinds the old pipe into fragments. This turns a "non-friable" cement pipe into friable asbestos dust underground.

The Risk: This converts your backyard into a regulated hazardous waste site.
The Regulation: The EPA (NESHAP) and OSHA have strict rules. Many municipalities ban bursting AC pipe unless you use expensive "wet slurry" containment methods.

The Safe Solutions (2026 Protocol)

Option 1: Abandonment in Place (The Preferred Method)

If the pipe is underground and not in the way of new construction, the safest option is often to leave it alone.

Fill it: A contractor pumps "flowable fill" (a liquid concrete slurry) into the old pipe.
Seal it: The ends are capped with concrete.
Bypass it: A new trench is dug nearby for the new PVC line.

Cost: Moderate (Excavation cost for new line + cost of concrete fill).

Option 2: Professional Hazmat Removal

If the pipe must come out (e.g., during a renovation), it requires an abatement team.

Wet Methods: The pipe must be kept wet constantly to prevent dust.
Hand Tools: No power saws. Snap-cutters or manual removal only.
Wrapping: The pipe is wrapped in 6-mil plastic and labeled as biohazard waste.

Cost: Expensive. Expect to pay $50 - $150 per linear foot for removal, plus disposal fees.

What About Vent Pipes?

If you have a Transite vent pipe (flue) for your water heater or furnace:

Do not reuse it for high-efficiency appliances (the condensation will eat the cement).
Do not cut it out yourself. If you are replacing a roof or furnace, hire a pro who knows how to remove the flue without crumbling it into your attic.

Conclusion

Transite pipe was a product of its time—a solution to a metal shortage that became a long-term liability. If you suspect you have it:

Don't panic. It is generally safe if undisturbed.
Don't DIY. Never take a Sawzall to a white cement pipe.
Call a Pro. Get a licensed plumber who partners with an abatement team.

Suspect Asbestos in your plumbing? Connect with a Safety-Certified Plumber Today