Polybutylene: In the 1970s, copper and plastic pipes became the main piping materials. Copper is still used, but not all types of plastic ended up enduring. A common type of plastic pipe used through the 1980s was polybutylene, which was an inexpensive pipe material useful for freshwater lines.
It was not until 1950 that the systematic development of extrusion technology began. Prior to this, the manufacture of PVC pipe remained makeshift and the use of PVC pipes did not become widespread. The 1950's and 1960's were decades of dramatic advances for PVC pipe and fittings technology.
Polybutylene, also known as Quest tubing, is a gray plastic pipe used from the 1970's – 1990's and is extremely prone to failure.
Water lines were copper and galvanized steel pretty much universally until the early 1970's. Starting in the mid 1970's, They put in a lot of PolyB which we all know the history of. Most of the underground pipe outside of the house was PVC.
Orangeburg or Bermico piping was a fiber style pipe made from layer of wood fiber and pitch pressed together and was used up until the 1970's when PVC (poly vinyl chloride) piping came on the scene. Here in sunny South Florida cast iron pipe was the norm again until PVC became the new king in 1972.
In 1980, cast iron pipes were no longer the pipe of choice. Builders and plumbers replaced cast iron with rigid PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride plastic), which is easier to make, can be made quickly, is harder than other options, and has greater tensile strength. It is essentially a cheaper, faster alternative to cast iron.
Polybutylene Pipes
Builders installed polybutylene (or poly) piping in an estimated 10 million U.S. structures between 1975 to 1996. Unfortunately, this piping material had a significant flaw that ultimately resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in water damage.
In the United States, they came to be used very early on and were still very popular until relatively recently. Clay pipes started being phased out in the 1960s and 1970s when plastic sewer pipe options such as ABS and PVC were developed.
It all depends on the geographic location of the home and the pipes. While homes with cast iron pipes laid in clay soil tend to be more likely to have corrosion, homes built in sandy soil often have pipes that last longer. Cast iron is durable and strong.
We have been studying the causes of failure of CPVC piping systems for over a decade and have found that CPVC piping is NOT chemically resistant. CPVC is resistant to most water soluble chemicals but is not resistant to most water insoluble hydrocarbon based chemicals.
Cast iron fell out of favor in the 1960s and 1970s, as teflon-coated aluminum non-stick cookware was introduced and quickly became the item of choice in many kitchens. The decline in daily use of cast-iron cookware contributed to the closure of nearly all the iron cookware manufacturers in the United States.
These materials are very durable and can last for many years. However, there are a few things that can shorten their lifespan, including damage from tree roots and damage from adverse weather conditions. The average lifespans of the commonest drain lines are: Plastic PVC Pipes: 25-40 years.
Back in the 1970's, polybutylene (or PB) pipes were considered the “pipe of the future”.
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.
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.
Orangeburg pipes, also known as bituminous fiber pipes, were widely used as sewer pipes in the United States during and after World War II, especially from the 1940s to the early 1970s. These pipes were made from layers of wood pulp impregnated with coal tar pitch.
Clay sewer pipes remain functional for 50 to 60 years on average, but the quality and efficiency of your home plumbing may deteriorate as time goes on. Most clay pipes were installed decades ago and are likely nearing the end of their lifespan.
Plastic (ABS and PVC) became the top choice for new sewer lines in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to its affordability, ease of installation, and resistance to root intrusion.
What kind of plumbing pipes were used in the 70s? Plastic. Plastic plumbing pipes in the form of ABS and PVC became widely used in residential construction in the 1970s.
It has become expensive, can still corrode based on pH levels of water, and in cold climates, frozen water can cause copper pipes to burst. PEX installs quickly, which significantly reduces labor costs.
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.
Lets talk a little about average or possible cost of replacing your cast iron sewer pipes. The overwhelming majority of our estimates range from 15,000 to 25,000. Sometimes but not often we see estimates ranging from 25,000 to 35,000 and although it happens it is extremely rare to see an estimate over 35,000.
Generally speaking, you're going to find that most main sewer lines will only last somewhere between 50 and 100 years before you need to do a main sewer line replacement. You could very well have a broken sewer line on your hands right now and not even realize it.
Orangeburg sewer pipes were intended to last for 50 years but many homeowners started having problems after just 30 years. Orangeburg piping was no longer installed after PVC plastic replaced paper as the preferred material in 1972.