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

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

Water supply is leaking.

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

Fighting a High Water Bill with Your Plumbing Invoice

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.

My Realtor Says I Have New and Improved Polybutylene Pipe?

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.

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

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

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

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