What is Polybutylene Pipe?

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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Polybutylene Pipe Failure and Weather Changes

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
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