Polybutylene was an immensely popular, cost-effective piping material for years between 1975 and 1996. It's estimated that around 10 million homes in the United States were outfitted with polybutylene pipes during their heyday.
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.
After fifty years, steel pipes will begin to corrode and rust, making them prime candidates for repiping. Polybutylene: In the 1970s, copper and plastic pipes became the main piping materials.
If you own a home built between 1975 and 1996, it may contain polybutylene piping. These plastic pipes are often gray, but they can also be white, black, or blue. Even if your poly piping appears to be solid and crack-free from the outside, this is, unfortunately, no indication of the piping's interior condition.
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.
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.
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.
Work stopped in the late '80s when California authorities decided an EIR was not necessary, but resumed again nearly 10 years later as a result of litigation. Opponents of CPVC use now have 30 days to challenge the state's findings.
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.
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.
PVC is most commonly used for drain, waste, and vent lines. It is not recommended for use in potable water lines because it can leach chemicals into the water.
Galvanized plumbing was still in use as late as 1990, but its use has since declined due to the corrosion it can cause in the water supply.
Early 1900 – 1970's: Galvanized pipe. 1970's – 2000: mostly copper, some polybutylene and PEX. 2000 – current: PEX or CPVC, with a small amount of polybutylene.
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.
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.
If you live in a home built before 1975, your pipes are probably made of cast iron, and you should check them for damage.
Cast Iron: Cast iron pipes last between 80-100 years, and are built to withstand a high amount of water pressure. However, like galvanized steel, cast iron piping has been found to be susceptible to rust over time. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Traditionally, PVC piping only lasts between 25-40 years.
PVC pipes are white or dark gray in color. CPVC is off-white, light gray, or yellow in color. Both pipe types have technical specifications printed on the side for easy verification. Both pipe types are available in plain end and bell end.
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipes are often preferred over CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) for several reasons: Flexibility: PEX tubing is flexible and can be bent and curved without the need for fittings, making it easier and faster to install in tight spaces.
Polybutylene (PB) was a plastic manufactured between 1978 and mid-1995 for use as piping in home plumbing systems. It was inexpensive and offered plenty of advantages over other materials, such as flexibility, ease of installation, resistance to freezing.
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Orangeburg piping was no longer installed after PVC plastic replaced paper as the preferred material in 1972. By now, paper pipes are well past their prime. Once known as the “no-corrode” pipe, Orangeburg piping was appealing and affordable compared to other common materials like iron and steel at this time.