Polybutylene Plumbing:
The word “polybutylene” is a word every realtor cringes at when we say it. The phrase is as well known as other problem causing words such as Federal Pacific, Zinsco or aluminum wiring. The reason why is because these items can sometimes cause the sale of a home to fall through. But what’s so bad about a plumbing pipe that was used throughout most of the 1980’s to mid 90’s? I’m here to tell you a little more about the infamous polybutylene.
Polybutylene History:
Polybutylene was first widely used in residential homes starting in 1978. It was a popular option due to its low cost and ease of installation compared to copper pipes. Installation time can be reduced to half the time compared to copper also. It is said that from 1978 to when it was banned in 1995 that 10 million homes built had polybutylene. It was deemed as the “pipe of the future” until the problems started to occur.
Polybutylene Lawsuit:
Over the years more and more complaints from homeowners started to happen with polybutylene. The chemicals in the water supply started to break down the pipe and its fittings. It is said the chlorine would cause the fittings to become brittle and fail. The result would be a massive water leak inside the home causing thousands of dollars worth of damage! Where as when a copper pipe will usually get pin hole leaks that are easy to catch before they cause major damage, polybutylene failures were different. Due to all of these complaints a class action lawsuit was opened against the manufacturer.
How do I know if I have polybutylene?:
If you are a homeowner or shopping for a home identifying polybutylene is easy. The pipes are usually grey in appearance and will usually have copper connection rings. On the pipe you should see the label “PB2110”. Sometimes the pipe will be black but those are very rare and typically only found in mobile homes. You can usually identify the type of plumbing in your house if you look under the sinks or at the water heater.
Insurance issues:
Due to polybutylene pipes being susceptible to failure compared to copper or cpvc you may run into issues getting insured. As of 2024 most insurance carriers will not insure a house with it. Even Citizens insurance will no longer write a policy(There are no properties that are newer than 20 years old with polybutylene). If you do find an insurance carrier who will, typically they will have higher rates. Insurance companies also may have a disclaimer stating they will not cover any damage in the case of a plumbing leak! When I find a home with this I always advise my clients to look into getting the home replumbed.
If you are interested in finding out if your home has this type of plumbing you can book us for a home inspection by clicking here.