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Underneath the sink are two isolation valves. One is for your main water supply and the other is for your external tap. We suggest you turn off the external tap isolation valve off before the cold winter weather starts, and then drain all of the water by turning on the garden tap until the water runs dry.
If your plumbing system utilizes copper or brass pipes, you may notice bluish-green stains in your sink or bathtub. Blue-green staining is a result of corroding copper pipes or fixtures. When copper tainted water evaporates, it leaves behind copper oxide – the green/blue stain you see.
Polybutylene pipes can be the trademark blue color, but they can also be black or gray. If your water main pipe is blue, black, or gray plastic, you may have polybutylene. These pipes were often paired with copper connectors. Look for the letters “PB” or “QEST” printed on the pipes.
Shutoff valves under the sink, also called fixture shutoffs or stop valves, allow you to turn off the water to your sink (or other fixtures) without using your home's main shutoff.
Some homes are fitted with isolation valves for each tap. These will be marked red for hot and blue for cold. By simply turning these valves clockwise, you can turn off the water supply to the kitchen sink. This will allow you to replace the kitchen tap or carry out repair work.
The cold water valve is typically blue, and the hot water valve is typically red. You might need to shut off the cold water if you're working on the water heater, have a leak or are replacing it. The hot water valve can be shut off if you have a leak in a hot water pipe.
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.
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.
Blue MDPE: Specifically designed for below-ground cold water distribution systems. It's ideal for transporting potable water from the mains supply to homes and businesses.
The blue colour indicates that there are quite high levels of copper in the water. The problem normally only occurs where there is relatively new copper plumbing. The blue colour will disappear when the tap is run. If the colour persists then you should contact your water supplier, who can investigate.
The “least noble” metal (the one that is more reactive) will start corroding. For example, if a stainless steel pipe touches a copper pipe, the copper pipe will start corroding because copper is less noble than stainless steel. And corroding piping leads to bluish, greenish stains in your bathroom appliances.
Well, water that has a blue/green tint usually means your home's water has excessive levels of copper. And if humans absorb too much copper (either via skin, inhalation, or ingestion), it can cause: Vomiting. Diarrhea.
The curved pieces of drain pipe underneath your sink, commonly referred to as P-traps, do a lot of dirty work. Over time they leak, become corroded or get plugged with years of accumulated soap and grease. Replacing sink traps is usually a quick job.
n North America, the terms "tap" and "faucet" are often used interchangeably to describe the device used to control the flow of water in a sink or bathtub.
The water main shut-off valve will look like a slightly large pipe with some sort of handle stuck in the middle of it. It's not a massive pipe or valve, so it can easily blend in with the rest of your fixtures.
Contrary to their popularity, the damages caused due to their failure have been unprecedented in history. Due to the high possibility of failure of these pipes, homeowners who have yet to replace them are advised to do so as a matter of urgency. Polybutylene pipes are liable to fail at any moment without prior signs.
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.
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.
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.
Polybutylene pipes were banned from new construction projects after 1995, but if they're already in your home, there is no requirement to remove them. This is important to know if you decide to purchase a home that was built between 1978 and 1995.
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).
To do this you should see isolation valves for each tap that will be marked red for the hot tap and blue for the cold tap. Turning the valves clockwise will shut off the water supply to the taps so you can carry out the necessary work you need to.
The primary source of blue or green staining in plumbing fixtures is the corrosion or dissolving of copper pipes and fittings.
P-traps, named after their shape, contain a u-shaped bend that filters wastewater as it enters a plumbing system. The trap is connected to a sink, bathtub, and shower with a J-bend on one end and exits into your drainage system. The J-bend is the section of the p-trap that resembles the letter J.