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.Polyburylene Plastic Pipe
 
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).   
 
Copyright 2006 by Timon, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

 

4 Comments on Waiting to Burst: Polybutylene Plumbing

OCT
08
2006
227,473 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Lawrence, thank you for bringing this up.  I don't think too many people are aware of the issue.  I also think that most who have polybutylene plumbing don't even know they do.  Thanks for the links to additional resources.
5:19pm • #1
421,777 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog
My friend (a plummer) was just telling me about that stuff. He is replacing some piping (pvc) that someone else (who said they knew what there were doing) installed.  I bet there were some lawsuits over that! -Charles
7:59pm • #2
MAY
19
2008
132,065 Points 24 Featured Posts

Just curious, where do you get your information on this statement: "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."
12:33pm • #3
MAY
20
2008
235,254 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Check out the additional links above and below for information re: 10 -15 year failure rates.  It's documented in lawsuits and based on experience of plumbers and inspectors.

Note: Click on full article link for for more details about polybutylene and author information.  

Additional information:

How to Spot Defective Polybutylene Pipes

What Property Managers Need to Know About Polybutylene Pipe

http://www.boiseinspector.com/resources-polybutylene.php

http://www.polybutylenelawsuit.com/

RV Plumbing - includes section on Polybutylene piping

Major manufacturers: Qest and Vanguard.

Two major lawsuits (Spencer and Cox vs. Shell) provided some financial relief for owners of homes, with varying qualifying terms and amounts of coverage.  (See links in article). See also:
http://www.polybutylenelawsuit.com/
http://www.hobb.org/content/view/189/253/
10:11am • #4

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