Poly-b piping is generally a light grey plastic pipe with copper fittings and elbows. You can easily identify if your home's plumbing has poly-b fittings by removing a few ceiling tiles in your basement, such as in your utility room, and viewing the grey pipes in the ceiling of your basement.
Polybutylene pipe, or Poly-b as it's often called, is a grey plastic pipe that was manufactured from the late '70s until the late '90s and used heavily in residential plumbing systems during that time.
Polybutylene pipes are liable to fail at any moment without prior signs. Although Polybutylene pipes can last between 10 and 15 years, its corrosion and degradation can be accelerated by water chlorination.
Polybutylene pipe was commonly used from 1978 – 1995 and is a gray flexible pipe. PEX is a plastic flexible pipe that comes in white, blue, orange, red and a translucent milky white clear. This piping came about to replace polybutylene plumbing.
Fittings with a gray collar work with polybutylene pipe. If it has a white collar, the fitting works with PVC pipe and is compatible with schedule 40, 80 and 120 PVC. SharkBite couplings with a tan collar are designed to work with CTS pipes like PEX, copper, CPVC, PE-RT or (CTS SDR-9) SDR-9 HDPE tubing.
Is Poly-B the same as PEX? No, they are actually very different types of piping. To discuss, poly-b is a type of plastic piping made from polybutylene, while PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a newer and more durable option that has been gaining in popularity over the past few years.
Overall, polybutylene pipes should not completely deter you from purchasing a home you love. You should, however, take some additional steps if you do decide to make a deal on a house with these types of pipes. Hiring a professional plumber is key to ensuring the pipes are still in good shape.
In terms of appearance, PVC pipes are white or dark gray in color, and CPVC pipes are usually off-white, light gray, or yellow.
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 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.
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.
PEX Pipe. PEX, a cross-linked polyethylene pipe, is considered by some to be the greatest innovation for DIY plumbers. PEX pipes often replace copper for hot and cold water in residential retrofits. They are easy to cut, install and connect and less costly than copper.
The culprit is polybutylene (PB) pipes, which were used for plumbing purposes between the years of 1975 and 1978 until it was discovered that they become brittle and cracked over time, so they were subsequently outlawed.
What are the differences in the red, white, blue, gray and orange PEX pipe? There are no performance differences between red, white, blue and white PEX and all are intended for use in potable water systems. The colors can be used to easily distinguish between hot and cold distribution lines.
Poly B™ (polybutylene) was a common type of plumbing material used to supply hot and cold water in residential and commercial buildings built between 1978-1995. It was a reliable and lightweight option for many plumbing projects.
Fragility and Brittleness. ASTM F441 CPVC pipes can become brittle over time, particularly under stress or extreme temperatures. This brittleness makes them more prone to cracking and failure. In colder climates, this issue is exacerbated as pipes can freeze and break easily.
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 pipes are liable to fail at any moment without prior signs. Although Polybutylene pipes can last between 10 and 15 years, its corrosion and degradation can be accelerated by water chlorination.
In addition, the risk of damage coupled with insurance difficulties can sometimes make it more difficult to obtain a mortgage loan on houses with polybutylene piping. That often means that investors –– specifically those with cash or alternative financing –– are the primary buyers of these homes.
Also known as PB pipe, Poly B pipe, poly pipe, gray poly pipe, and QUEST, it was incredibly low cost and easy to install, leading it to be the most popular substitute for traditional copper piping.
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.
If you have polybutylene pipes, it's best to replace them with PEX pipe, but if a repipe is not an option, use SharkBite Max polybutylene adapters to repair your pipes.
Interior polybutylene pipes are most often gray, but they can be black. If they are outside the home, they may even be blue. The pipes are usually a half-inch to 1 inch in diameter. Polybutylene pipes are flexible and will bend easily with just a little pressure.