Some experts believe as many as 10 million homes were built with these pipes. Many plumbing professionals at the time whole heartedly recommended these pipes, often proclaiming they were the pipes of the future.
Plus, any damage that is done by polybutylene piping is no longer covered by most insurance companies, so it's important to have it replaced before any problems occur.
Selling a house with polybutylene pipes can be challenging due to the known issues and potential risks associated with these outdated plumbing systems. Polybutylene pipes, used in residential construction from the 1970s to the mid-1990s, have a history of failure, causing leaks and significant water damage.
In general, insurance companies do not provide coverage within homeowners insurance policies for polybutylene pipes. They are simply too much of a liability as they are easily damaged and will break down, burst, and damage the home.
The lifespan of polybutylene piping is 15 years. It deteriorates/flakes from the inside so unless a section is cut and examined, the homeowner will not know the extent of the damage. Chemicals in the water are believed to contribute to the deterioration (including over-chlorination).
Polybutylene pipes are at the end of their useful life. According to studies by Fannie Mae and HUD, domestic water supply systems in multifamily buildings reach the end of their useful life after 30 – 50 years.
The cost to replace polybutylene pipes runs between $300 and $5,100, with the average homeowner spending $1,200 on polybutylene pipe replacement. Polybutylene pipes are no longer used in new construction because they are prone to defects, leaks, and pipe bursts.
If you are a seller, you should disclose all known conditions that the buyers need to know about the property including the likelihood of leaky pipes. If you decide to replace Polybutylene pipes in your home, that is good. But remember that many homebuyers are willing to take over risks that are fully disclosed.
It is recommended that if a home has polybutylene pipes, the entire plumbing system should be replaced immediately, as a costly leak can happen at any time, without warning, and cause large-scale damage.
Beware of gray pipes: Polybutylene is a gray tube that carries potable water through many homes. PB is pretty much the only gray water pipe ever installed in homes. PB tubing found in homes will have a dimeter of 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, or 1 inch.
Polybutylene (Poly B) pipes are considered problematic due to their susceptibility to deterioration and failure over time, especially when exposed to high temperatures, chlorine, and improper installation. These factors can lead to cracking, leaks, and potential water damage in homes.
Your responsibility to disclose lead pipes in your home will depend on where the property is located. The federal government requires you to disclose lead-based paint when selling the house, but not lead pipes.
Thanks to modern polymer technology, crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) piping systems perform in ways that provide superior reliability and safety when compared to polybutylene (PB) piping systems used in plumbing and heating applications in Canada and USA until the mid-1990s.
Securing financial assistance for Poly B replacement often involves meeting specific criteria, such as income caps or property assessments. Homeowners will need to gear up with the necessary paperwork, which could include proof of income, property details, and quotes for the plumbing work required.
SharkBite's push-to-connect transition fittings are more efficient and more reliable than traditional pipe transition methods, such as threaded adapters. They also come in a range of different end connections, including PVC and polybutylene.
Although Polybutylene piping may last up to 30 years, many polybutylene plumbing systems fail in as early as ten years. Due to the nature of water, we strongly urge homeowners with Polybutylene piping to replace their piping systems before they find out the hard way that their PB pipes are no longer suitable.
Normal wear and tear or gradual degradation are typically not covered. Policy Exclusions: Many standard policies explicitly exclude damage from polybutylene pipes due to their known issues. Homeowners may need to purchase a separate rider or endorsement, which will come at an additional cost.
Drano is Bad for Your Pipes
Drano is designed to continually react and generate heat within your drain until the clog dissolves. Over time, the continued use of Drano can cause your pipes to crack and fail. It's also been known to eat away at the adhesive that joins pipes together.
Although no regulations require the replacement of polybutylene piping with other material, many plumbers recommend doing this, at a cost several thousand dollars. Leaking can happen without warning and can result in flooding and serious damage to a home's interior if it is not immediately stopped.
Generally, our repipes range from $4,500 for a two-bedroom, one-bath house to up to $15,000 for a larger property with more bathrooms and longer pipe runs. We would replace all your polybutylene plumbing with either new copper or PEX tubing.
First of all, yes, you can sell your home with polybutylene water pipes. During my over 20-year real estate investing career, I've dealt many times with properties having this problem.
Pipes Made of Plastic or Polybutylene: A lot of mobile homes use these types of pipes. They can crack or leak more easily than other kinds of pipes. Water Pressure Ups and Downs: Sometimes, the water pressure in mobile homes can be low or change a lot.
Poly B can be replaced by a professional plumber or a do-it-yourselfer with the proper tools and knowledge. The first step is to shut off the main water supply to the home. Next, the old poly B pipes will need to be cut away and removed.
Installation Process
This usually involves cutting into your existing pipes, removing them, and installing the new ones, so it's important to leave this part of the project to a professional. You can expect the installation process to take 3-5 business days on average.
Does a Seller Have To Disclose Polybutylene Pipes? In some cases, a seller is not legally obligated to disclose the presence of polybutylene pipes. However, most reputable sellers will want to be upfront about any problems in the home. In many cases, sellers are unaware that their home has this type of piping.