Polybutylene pipe (a type of plastic formed into piping), was thought to be the "pipe of the future" in the late 1970s as substitutes for copper plumbing. It was cheap, flexible and easy to install. What was not anticipated was that chlorine in city water supplies attacks the pipe from the inside out. Bursting polybutylene pipe has caused extensive damage to homes across the country.
It is estimated that Polybutylene was used in one out of every four houses built between 1978 and 1995, as many as 10 million homes. It was also used in many commercial applications.
It had heavy usage in the Sun Belt states but it was also very common in the Mid-Atlantic and Northwest Pacific states.
Polybutylene pipe generally fails after 10-15 years of use. It is unpredictable when it will fail, but it is certain that it will fail. Piping that shows no outward signs of distress may burst at any moment. The oxidizing agents in municipal water supplies cause the inside of the pipe to become brittle and flake. Small fractures result that eventually burst.
Click here for more information about Polybutylene Plumbing and how to remediate.
Here are some additional online resources:
http://www.repipenews.com/ - a public service message page giving overview about the material, problems and what can be done.
Polybutylene Plumbing - addresses issues effecting property owners, property managers, issues for real estate professionals and their clients.
Identifying Polybutylene Plumbing - lots of pictures.
CPRC - website for a class action lawsuite related to polybutylene; here's another lawsuite page (not sure of their status).
Visit my web site for additional services and support: http://www.lawrenceyerkes.com/
and visit Besthomes-NJ.com to shop for the latest New Jersey Real Estate property listings (Residential, Commercial, Multi-Family, Farm, Land).
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