Polybutylene Pipe

What is Polybutylene Pipe?

2007-02-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

Polybutylene Pipe was manufactured for installation in the US from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s. Polybutylene piping was installed in residential, commericial, industrial and municipal piping systems. Polybutylene pipe was mainly used for the piping of potable water. In the US, the piping was pulled from the market after a series of lawsuits resulting from catastrophic pipe failures occuring nationwide. However, in Europe, polybutylene resins were modified and polybutylene remains a popular product today.

Polybutylene pipe failures can be related to chlorine content in the water, oxidants in the water, improper installation, too much water pressure and many other factors. Failures begin with micro cracking of the pipe and eventually to a leak. Failure normal occurs from the inside out, however, can be accelerated by factors such as ground settlment and poor bedding material.

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My Realtor Says I Have New and Improved Polybutylene Pipe?

2007-09-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

Everyday I get many emails regarding polybutylene pipe questions. A customer called today and told me that a house she had under contract was built in 1993 and had grey polybutylene pipe. She stated that her realtor told her that it had the "new and improved polybutylene" and not to worry about this version of the pipe. I am not aware of any polybutylene without any problems within the United States, though I have read articles about polybutylene pipe in the European market which has not had any problems. Perhaps water additives or installation methods vary in Europe. I know for a fact that there were some variations in polybutylene pipe manufactured in the U.S., there is thick wall and thin wall blue polybutylene, but I have seen failures in both pipes. Interior polybutylene has always mainted the same wall thickness. However, some grey polybutylene almost appears to dry out. The pipe goes from it original flexible roll to almost stiff like PVC pipe. On several occasions I have cracked a piece of scrap grey polybutylene by folding it, when it is originally properties would have allowed it to fold. I have not tracked the manufacturers, manufacture dates, location of the bad pipe , humidity conditions or other factors which I have seen the polybutylene pipe in its worst conditions. Without a doubt copper fitting are superior to the garbage plastic acetal fittings. The plastic acetal fitting cannot take any stress after about ten years of use. They can snap like a twig if put under pressure. In summary, I would not be convinced by a realtor, seller or home inspector who tells you : "We have never had a leak","The pipe looks in good condition", "The house has the good polybutylene or fittings". Polybutylene pipe and fittings have an abnormally high failure rate compared to any other pipe on the market.

Fighting a High Water Bill with Your Plumbing Invoice

2007-09-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Everyday I hear stories about water bills ranging from "I have a high water bill of $80 ", to "I have a high water bill of $25,000"(the latter of which was caused by 6 toilets constantly running for several months). Most high bill situations are caused by a polybutylene pipe rupture deep in the ground or a toilet running. However, I do see the occasional high water and fuel (gas or electric) bill caused by a running hot water heater overflow. The local water departments vary on their response to high bills. If you are a first time offender, a copy of a plumbing repair invoice will normally get you a great discount on your water bill. Proof the the water did not go into the sewer system (such as a water line breakage outside or relief line dumping to the outside of the house) can normally get the excess sewer charges knocked off. Grievances such, elderly, fixed income, medical problems, jobless, you didn't read my meter in 6 months will normally get you mercy. Chronic offenders who have been given discounts in the past for water leaks, may not get any help. Many counties such as Cobb and Fulton county will normally leave you a little note on the door to inform you of a leak. Analyzing your water bill bar chart can show the progression of a small leak turning into a big leak.

Frozen Pipes

2008-01-03T17:17:00.000-08:00

What a nightmare today! Over 200 calls, nearly 150 frozen pipe calls, thats what you get with 10 degree weather. Hopefully, not the same thing tomorrow. The two most common calls today were frozen hose bibbs and no water to the house. To prevent your main line from freezing let a faucet drip steadily when the weather dips to the low temperatures. To prevent your hose bibbs from freezing, turn off the valve indoor, pull the vacuum breaker to drain the water (if you have one, some older houses don't), alternatively and or additionally put a Styrofoam cover hose bibb cover over the pipe. Some pipes systems are just improperly installed exterior cold wall, no insulation, no cutoffs,....all I can say is let the faucet drip. Today most of the calls came in after 11AM as the pipes started to defrost. One ladies, shower did not work this morning, when we arrived the shower was running in the bathroom, in this case the only recommendation would to be let the hot and cold drip in that shower, (exterior wall mounted valves). A few of the other popular freezes were outside standpipes, obviously need to be insulated or covered, or buried in meter boxes. Pipes near crawl space breather vents,.....put baffled vents or stuff insulation in the windows....not to mention massive heat losses for the house. Two repair stations pipes froze in the bays, perhaps drip faucets or close doors. So in summary, know where your shutoff valves are located in the case of emergency. Top materials for the day for leaks were CPVC, PVC and Copper. Only 2-freeze related polybutylene leaks. Three of the most catastrophic failures (flood wise) were CPVC, because when it freezes it explodes........Once again, excuse any grammar errors.......I did not proof read.

Mike Whitman,
Atlantis Plumbing

Water Heater Thermal Expansion Tanks

2008-04-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

The federal government issued a notice to all water departments that the water supply needed to be protected against backflow. Therefore, slowly all the old water meters are being updated with dual check valves and some also with electronic read meters. The county typically gives two notices to protect your house from thermal expansion. One notice before they do the work and normally one after. Backflow devices prevent water from your property being pushed back into the county supply. Therefore, everytime your water heater kicks on, the water expands as it is heated and no longer has a place to go. So, the pressure in the house increases. A thermal expansion tank is normally the easy remedy for thermal expansion, but a governor 80 ballcock or a additional pressure only relief valve are also sufficient. What prompted this article was a customer that I spoke with in November called today to tell me that he had numerous leaks and was now ready to install his thermal expansion tank that we had talked about last year. He wanted to know if his leaky toilet, dripping faucets and dripping pipe would stop leaking if he installed the expansion device that he needed. I told him probably not, the damage was done and the seals were more than likely permanently damaged and would also need repair. Heeding the warning letters by the water department to install an expansion device is the best bet and can save your plumbing and your money.

Mike Whitman

Leak Detection Polybutylene & Other Pipes

2008-04-16T14:49:00.001-07:00

Today I read an interesting article from Clayton County Water (Supposedly one of the leading water conserving water departments in the country, also saw an article how 25% of they drinking water is recycled sewer water, ...yuk) in the Georgia Sewer and Water Magazine. The article described underground water leaks and the time it takes for a leaking service or main line leak to show on the surface. The average time for an underground leak to surface is approximately 2 years, and they said that was a conservative estimate. Of course, soil types, water table levels, depths, etc.. will change the times. Residential water services on new installs can run anywhere from 12" to 10 feet deep. Replacement water services typically run 12-18". The county has taken steps to replace defective polybutylene, galvanized and failing copper services before they leak. I thought I would post this because I get so many questions about underground water leaks not showing up in the front yard.

Mike Whitman
Atlantis Plumbing
770-505-8570

Water supply is leaking.

2007-10-21T21:09:00.001-07:00

Over the last few months the lack of rain has caused a major depletion of the Atlanta areas water supply sources such as lake allatoona and lake lanier. Outdoor water restrictions have show a decrease by some estimates of up to 25% less water consumption per day. As the water levels decrease and rainfall stays away, water violation notices are increasing and outdoor water line breaks are increasing with the dry ground, mainly due to the inability of the piping to expand and contract with varying temperature changes. The past 2 months we have had record amounts of water line replacements and repairs. Homeowners are not the only ones suffering from these breaks, the counties have backlogs of repairs on the main lines. Estimates by the city of Atlanta suggest that possibly over 30% of the water supply is being lost on the distribution system before evening getting to the water meters. Some measures can be easily taken by homeowners to conserve water, such as installing low consumption toilets, installing water saving shower heads and replacing polybutylene water lines which may be leaking in the yard. I personnally feel like more conversation efforts should be taken to allow the proper amount of water to be realeasd to supply water to fish in the river, agriculture downstream and oyster beds in Florida. Give us a call if you have any questions regarding outdoor water leaks.

Mike Whitman,
Atlantis Plumbing
770-505-8570

www.atlantisplumbing.com

Polybutylene Pipe Leaks and General Summary of March 2008

2008-04-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

Emergency service calls on polybutylene plumbing leaks dropped significantly in March and now in the beginning of April. I cannot explain this phenomenon, however I suspect, the poor economy is fueling the ambition of more DIY repairs. I have seen a large increase in floods caused by DIY repairs, mainly due to improper installation of couplings and my favorite, Home Depot selling repair coupling for polybutylene and PVC that are not rated for the proper pressure application, and simply pop off hours later. Water heater replacements jumped up in March and then a rash of 20 sewage ejector pump failures came in over a 2 week period. Polybutylene failures typically start to accelerate around the end of April and normally slow down toward the end of the year as temperatures start to drop. We our currently running our crews at 90% capacity, which is great considering 3 local plumbing contractors just shut there doors due to lack of work (they did mostly new construction work)

Mike Whitman
Atlantis Plumbing
770-505-8570

Polybutylene pipe water line failures staying strong despite cooling weather and softer ground

2007-12-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

Water line replacement are continuing strong numbers as we enter December. During the month of November, we replaced 76 outdoor water service lines. The break down was 58 polybutylene pipes, 6 galvanized steel lines, 8 copper lines, 3 PVC lines and 1-polyethylene thin wall well pipe lines. The record breaking week of the year was the week before Thanksgiving with 24 water service line replacements. Approximately 75% of the lines were replaced with HDPE (black poly), the other 25% were with copper pipe. Yearly totals we have not had any failure in black poly we installed in the past 10 years. (Partially due to hand picking rolls of poly from the distributor and avoiding damaged rolls of pipe, Also, focusing on clean bedding and backfill) We have not had a coupling leak in 3 years since we made the transition from imported Flo-Control coupling to all brass coupling. Service call repair and drain cleaning numbers are also remaining high with completed numbers from 40-60 per week.

Mike Whitman
Atlantis Plumbing

Polybutylene Pipe Class Action Plumbing Claims for Underground Slab Water Leaks on Service Lines

2007-06-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

Many of our customers have questioned why they still have polybutylene main lines under there homes when they had there outside line replaced under the polybutylene class action settlement. First some basic info. The shutoff valve for a house can be located in a box before it enters the slab or can be located at the water heater, under a sink, behind the clothes washer, under a stairway or any location typically within 5 feet of entering the house. The location of a service line is typically near other pipes because plumbers like to cut the least amount of trenches and mark off the least amount of wall when roughing a slab house. The pipe coming out of a slab house can be blue polybutylene, grey polybutylene, copper pipe, pex, cpvc or just about any type of pipe. However, general rule of thumb is there should be a shutoff valve on service line within 5 feet of entering the house. During the beginning of the polybutylene claims, the transition point for many contractors was simply at the end of the blue polybutylene pipe, which for many house was just at the edge of the slab of the house. The Consumer Protection Recovery Center stated that "The transition point is where the yard service line enters the building through an exterior basement floor, first floor, or slab and connects with the inside plumbing at the water heater, a fitting, a cutoff valve, a pressure reducing valve, a manifold or a water meter or where the yard service line connects to the inside plumbing system at a valve, manifold or near the outside perimeter of the foundation". Given the fact that bidding on service lines replacement contracts under the lawsuit was based almost solely on lowest price (the contractor had to meet license requirements, insurance and possibly some referral or connection). Contractors wanted to do the least amount of work, since each job paid X dollars whether it took 1 hour or 8 hours. Transition points on polbutylene service lines were taken to be at the fitting normally located just at the edge of the house. Even though arguably, the polybutylene pipe should have been replaced to the shutoff valve which is typically within the home. Legally, nothing was done wrong but now many people are wondering that if they had told the contractor to replace up to the main valve (which was provided for in the class action lawsuit reimburstment), they would not be dealing with a slab leak on a high pressure service line.

Polybutylene Plumbing Class Action Time Limit Approaching

2007-05-01T16:52:00.001-07:00

The end of the polybutylene class action settlement period is approaching quickly. Today, I talked with an adjuster from CPRC regarding a replumb we just completed, he reminded me that there was only two years from todays date (deadline for claims submittal is May 9, 2009) till all claims could be submitted. After that date, the consumer protection recovery center will be dissolved and there will be no more funds available to assist with polybutylene replacement.

Michael Whitman, Atlantis Plumbing

Polybutylene Pipe Replacement

Polybutylene Plumbing Class Action Time Limit Approaching

2007-05-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

Should I buy a home with polybutylene pipe

2007-04-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

Should I buy a home with polybutylene pipe? Selling a home with Polybutylene?

Decreased Value- Polybuylene pipes are not desirable for home buyers. The pipes have a track record of failure and a well deserved bad reputation. Most home inspectors now red flag polybutylene during walk through inspections. Not to many people want there home to have a ticking time bomb in the wall. Polybutylene pipes in a home can decrease the value of a home by up to 10%. Example: if you had a $300,000 home and spent $7,000 to replacing the piping , you would have a net gain of $23,000, an improvement worth doing. A typical 2.5 bath house ranges from $3500-$7000 to do a complete turn key pipe replacement.

Increased Time on the Market- An interested buyer will normally have there home inspector check for polybutylene pipes before closing. Polybutylene pipes can be a reason to cancel a contract if not disclosed. The site of polybutylene pipes cause many buyers to lose interest immediately, most homeowners in the Atlanta area have had there polybutylene pipes replaced or know someone who has had polybutylene replaced. A local realtor estimated that over 50% of contracts fall through if an agreement is not reached over the polybutylene pipes, whether it be decreased selling price or a repipe completed before moving into the home.

Insuring a Home with Polybutylene Plumbing- Many home warranty will deny your claims, cap your damage limits or deny coverage on polybutylene related damages. Some insurance companies will not insure your house for flood damage with polybutylene plumbing, others will cancel your policy after one major pipe failure.

What are the Chances of my Polybutylene Leaking?- The chances of a pipe leak increase with time. Most initial leaks that occur within the first 5 years, in my opinion are due to improper installation. The following chart is an approximate chance based solely on field experience.
Age of Polybutylene Pipes in Home Chance of a Leakage
5 years, Line: Meter to House 10%
10 years, Line: Meter to House 30%
20 years, Line: Meter to House 90%
5 years, Interior Distribution Piping 5%
10 years, Interior Distribution Piping 10%
20 years, Interior Distribution Piping 60%

The following table is for an average home with an approximate 100ft service line. Many factors including linear feet of piping, installation, ground conditions can affect the service life of the pipe.

How Long does it take to replace the polybutylene pipes in a home? The average interior replumbing with drywall and paint can take from 2 to 7 days. The average exterior service line can be replaced in less than one day. In most cases, during a repipe water service can be restored to at least one full bathroom at the end of each day.

Polybutylene Class Action Settlement

Pipe Materials: Polybutylene, Copper, CPVC, PVC, PEX, Cast Iron,

Pipe Material with most popular applications and probable life span in non corrosive water
Polybutylene (PB): Potable Water Distribution, Water Service Lines, 8-25 years
Chlorinated Polyvinylchloride (CPVC): Potable Water Distribution, Water Service Lines, Sewer Service Lines, Common Household Drains, Air Vents 15-25 years
Polyvinylchloride (PVC): Potable Water Distribution, Water Service Lines, Sewer Service Lines, Common Household Drains, Air Vents, 15-50 years, Drains lines
will last longer due to minimal pressure

Polyethylene (PE): Water Service Lines, Sewer Service Lines, Gas Service Lines 20-50 years

Cross Linked Polyethylene (PEX): Water Distribution Piping 20-25 years
Copper Tube: Water Distribution, Water Service Lines 20-60 years

Galvanized Steel: Water Distribution, Water Service Lines 15-80 years (rusty water may occur early on)

Contact us for polybutylene pipe information

Polybutylene Class Action Settlement for Polybutylene Water Service Lines

2007-04-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

The polybutylene class action settlement for water service lines was over as of last July. The settlement is still going on for interior claims. Regardless of whether the pipe was blue or grey polybutylene the homeowner now must pay out of pocket for the replacement. The standard time period for the replacement of yard service lines was 10 years with an additonal year to file a claim under the class action settlement. See our web site for more information on polybutylene plumbing pipe replacement.

Hot Water Pipe Leaks

2007-04-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

In the past year, we have encountered at least 15 house in the Marietta, GA area with leaks on the copper piping below the slab. (Houses were over 25 years old) 14 out of 15 houses the leak was on the hot water piping. We have done some research and there are many different theories on the issue. Some plumbers suggest that old water heaters anode rods dissolve and there is not protection for the water heater or piping. One for definite reason hot water pipe failure is thermal expansion and contraction. Temperature changes on hot water lines may range from 50 degrees after a day of no use up to 120 degrees after using the hot water. Therefore the pipe flexes and may rub on rough objects in the soil. We have seen slab leaks on CPVC, Polybutylene, Copper, and PEX even within just years of new installation. Copper pipe still remains to be the most reliable piping for under slab applications.

Polybutylene Pipe Failure and Weather Changes

2007-02-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

Polybutylene pipe failure occur year round. They are most related to chlorine breaking down the pipe and improper installation. Dry weather can increase the chance of a polybutylene pipe break. Dry weather causes soils to harden and there place more restraint on the pipe. Restraint of the pipe prevents the pipe from expanding and contracting with temperatures changes of the soil and water supply. Hotter temperatures also cause polybutylene pipe to decrease in bursting pressure. Plastics in general are stronger and more rigid when colder. Due to this fact, hot summer time temperatures cause and increase in polybutylene service line failures. The blue polybutylene appears to be more affected by temperature changes than the grey polybutylene. This can be accounted for by its chemical composition. Blue polybutylene is designed on for cold water applications while the grey polybutylene was designed for hot and cold. For more info visit us at
www.atlantisplumbing.com