Do You Have Old Polybutylene Piping in Your Home?

May 29th, 2015 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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If you home was built in the 1970s, 80s or 90s, there is a good possibility that the pipes in your home for plumbing were made from polybutylene. This piping was an economical option that was used for decades for interior and exterior plumbing. The pipe is known for its blue or gray color, and also for its unreliable nature. Unfortunately, after this piping was used in the building of thousands of homes, it was pulled from the market. If you have this piping still in your home, you could be facing possible plumbing problems. 

Polybutylene Piping Problems

The issue with polybutylene is the material reacts with chlorine that is in many city water supplies. This reaction causes the pipes to corrode and weaken. Over time, the pipes can begin to leak, or worse, rupture and cause substantial water damage to homes. Due to this major issue, the manufacturers of the piping were forced to stop making the product and were required to pay billions of dollars in damages to homeowners. 

So what should you do if you still have this piping in your home? The best solution is to have the piping replaced before it begins to leak or bursts. Water damage is an expensive home repair. It can ruin walls, flooring, ceilings and cause mold issues throughout the home. It is a wise investment to replace this piping before it becomes a much larger and more expensive problem.

If you are concerned that there may be polybutylene piping in your home, call your local plumber for an inspection of your pipes. Your plumber can offer solutions for replacing any old polybutylene piping with new safer piping options.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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What is Polybutylene Pipe?

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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Polybutylene pipe was a type of water pipe that was extensively used in residential construction for approximately 20 years.  Blue or gray in color, the pipe was used on hot and cold water lines within the homes, as well as water service lines running into the home from the water main.  The pipe was highly regarded as viable and cost effective alternative to traditional copper piping.  

Due to substantial problems with the product the pipe is no longer used, but still may remain in homes.  The problem with polybutylene pipe is how the pipe reacts with chlorine, which is found in virtually all-domestic water supplies.  As a result of a chemical reaction with the pipe and chlorine, the polybutylene deteriorates from the inside out until the pipe ruptures.  Once the problem became widespread, a large class action lawsuit was filed.  As a part of the settlement, the manufacturers were required to replace the pipe and remove it from the market.  The resulting repairs cost the manufacturers billions of dollars due to the widespread use of polybutylene, which was used in home construction from 1970 until approximately 1995. 

Polybutylene pipe continues to be found in homes built during this time frame, due to the inability to identify everywhere it was used.  Although there are no longer any remedies available to homeowners impacted by the product, the only repair possible is the replacement of all polybutylene pipe inside and outside of the home.  One thing is for certain a home with polybutylene pipe will experience a catastrophic rupture at some point.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

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Polybuylene Pipe Replacement Options

June 21st, 2012 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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If you own a home plumbed with polybutylene pipe, you should consider your options before contacting an experienced plumber for a residential repiping.  Polybutylene pipe was installed in millions of homes built after 1970.  By the early 1990’s it became clear that polybutylene pipe that was exposed to chlorine found in the drinking water of many homes would fail and begin to leak and it was taken off the market.

Class action lawsuits were filed against the manufacturers of polybutylene pipe and homeowners who joined these suits received settlements to pay for the replacement of their plumbing.  Unfortunately, it is probably too late to file a claim if you haven’t already done so.

Homeowners have essentially three options for dealing with polybutylene pipe.  The first option is to do nothing and wait to see if the pipes begin to fail.  For some homeowners, this option may be the best route.  Polybutylene fails due to exposure to chlorine and if your drinking water has a very low level of chlorine, your pipes may provide good service for years.  Homes that use well water or that are connected to a municipal water supply that uses a low level of chlorine may not have the plumbing problems typically associated with polybutylene pipes.

If your pipes have begun to leak, then your choice is whether to replace all of the pipes now or to fix the leaking pipes and replace them later.  In most cases it does not make good economic sense to fix a leaking polybutylene pipe.  Your plumber may be able to repair a leaking section of pipe, but a leaky polybutylene pipe is a sign that the rest of the plumbing will fail soon.  Your plumber can help you make the decision, but generally the best course of action is to have all of the plumbing replaced.

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Use a Specialist For Whole House Repiping

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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If you need to replace the water pipes in your home, you have a choice between using a general plumbing contractor or a repiping specialist for your plumbing replacement.  Some homes have serious plumbing issues that require all of the water distribution plumbing to be replaced.  The most common reason for a whole house repiping is because the home was plumbed with polybutylene pipes.

After polybutylene pipes were installed in millions of American homes built from the mid 1970’s to the mid1990’s, it was discovered chlorine in municipal water supplies reacted with the pipe led to pipe failures.  Polybutylene pipe was taken off the market, but many homeowners are still dealing with the after effects.

Most general plumbing contractors can handle a repiping, but you are probably better off hiring a plumber who specializes in commercial and residential repiping.  Replacing all of the pipes in your home involves locating and removing the original plumbing and installing new PVC, CPVC, PEX or copper pipes.

The original pipes can run through the basement, crawlspace, or attic and are often hidden in walls, ceilings and floors.  If the home was built on a concrete slab, the plumbing may run under the slab or be embedded in the concrete.

A residential repiping specialist who has handled hundreds or thousands of commercial and residential repipings will have developed techniques for replacing the piping with minimal damage to your home.  They will have a better feel for what type of replacement pipe works best and how to run the new piping if access to the old piping is limited.

In addition, in most cases holes have to be cut in walls, floors or ceilings and a repiping specialist may have contractors who can quickly and professionally make the necessary repairs.

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When to Replace a Leaking Water Service Line

November 3rd, 2011 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Most homeowners first recognize that they have a problem with their water service line when one of two things happens:  Either they get an unusually large water bill or they find a mushy spot in the yard.  Both of these are signs that your water line is leaking and calls for immediate help from an experienced plumbing contractor.

With a leaking water line you will have the option of replacing the entire line or just repairing the leaky section.  The answer depends on your unique situation and your plumber will be able to help you make the decision, but in general if you have a polybutylene or galvanized steel line you should replace it.  If you have copper or PVC, then answer depends on the condition of the pipe and the cause of the leak.

Older galvanized steel or polybutylene water lines tend to deteriorate over time.  When a leak develops, it usually signals that the entire line is on the verge of failure and the pipe should be replaced rather than repaired.  Sometimes these lines can be repaired, but they will usually start leaking again in a new location.  Spending money on repairs is a waste of time for galvanized steel or polybutylene.  It’s best to bite the bullet and have the line replaced.

Copper and PVC water lines are another matter.  These can often be repaired, depending on the reason for the leak.  If the leak is at a fitting or caused by shifting of the ground and the pipe otherwise appears to be in good condition, it is usually possible to repair PVC and especially copper water supply lines with good results.  Your plumber can help you decide if water line replacement or water line repair is the best option for these types of pipes.

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Leaking Water Service Line

November 25th, 2010 Posted in Water Line Repair
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A leaking water service line is a serious problem that should be taken care of as soon as possible.  Your water service line is the pipe that supplies water to your home from the main line at the street.  This line is buried in your yard and runs from the water meter near the street to your home.  If the line breaks between the meter and your home, it is your responsibility.  If the line breaks on the other side of the meter, call your local water company and have it repaired.

A broken water service line is not always easy to identify.  Sometimes, the first warning sign is an abnormally high water bill.  If your water usage for a month is much higher than normal, look around your yard in the area between your water meter and your house for signs of water leakage.  This usually appears as a soft, mushy spot in your yard that never seems to dry up.  Try turning off the water supply where it enters your home.  If your water meter continues to run, then you have a leak in your water supply line.

If you think you need a water line repair, call a local reputable plumber right away.  Once they start leaking, a broken water line will quickly get worse.  In addition to high water bills, the leaking water can cause underground erosion, or leak into your basement or crawlspace.

If your water supply line is galvanized or polybutylene pipe, you are probably better off replacing the entire line rather than fixing the leak.  For copper or PVC supply lines, you may have the option of just repairing the leaking section of pipe.  Your plumber can help you make this decision.

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Polybutylene Pipe

November 17th, 2010 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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Many homes built in the 1980’s and early 1990’s have polybutylene plumbing and/or polybutylene water service lines that run from the street to the home.  Polybutylene pipe was used because it was less expensive than copper tubing and easier to install.  Builders saved thousands of dollars for materials and labor on each house constructed by using polybutylene plumbing instead of copper.

Unfortunately, it turned out that polybutylene pipes and fittings suffered from manufacturing defects that caused them to fail after only a few years of service.  They were also affected by the chlorine present in most municipal water systems which cause the pipes and fittings to break down.

In addition, polybutylene pipes can become fragile from excessive heat or cold or if they were overly stressed during installation.  In short, polybutylene plumbing systems usually have serious problems with leaks repeatedly developing either due to cracked pipes or from failed fittings.

If you have polybutylene plumbing in your home that is developing leaks, it is often possible in the short term to repair the leak by replacing the failed section of pipe or fittings using modern PEX pipe and fittings with adapters to connect the PEX pipe to the polybutylene pipe.

However, repairing leaky polybutylene pipe is rarely cost effective.  Your polybutylene pipes will continue to develop leaks and the best solution is usually to completely replace all of the polybutylene plumbing.

A complete polybutylene pipe replacement is a big job that is best left to an experienced plumber.  Be sure to get bids from several reputable plumbers and choose a plumber with experience in replacing polybutylene plumbing.

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