It is not good if polybutylene piping is used in your home’s water supply. Quite a few homes built in past decades could have easily been constructed with polybutylene piping though most modern homes are not equipped with this inferior piping material. The problem with polybutylene piping in your in Lebanon, MO home is what we at Randall’s Plumbing would like to discuss today.
Do All Polybutylene Pipes Fail?
Polybutylene piping, often known as PB, is not unheard of in older homes since it is a commonly utilized option in homes built from late-70s to the mid-90s for the residential water supply. At the time, the PB was also easily installed and was a more cost-effective option and was believed by many to be a higher quality product. By the 1980s, lawsuit claims were filed since it cost hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs as it was labeled defective from manufacturers, or it being poorly installed, thousands as the ruptured pipes resulting in water damage. Although they would never acknowledge the defectiveness of the PB piping, eventually, to settle homeowner claims manufacturers agreed to fund a class action settlement was just under a billion dollars. In 2007, the filing claim came to a close. IT should be noted that while it may leak within a few years of installation, the majority of polybutylene leaks start to occur in the 10-15 year time frame. Most experts think that the flaking, which resulted on the brittleness and the eventual compromised integrity was due to the chlorine or other oxidants in public water systems negatively reacting with the plastic, though the exact cause remains elusive. When the compromised pipe suddenly failed, causing the severe water damage from a tiny fractured developed and over time with the constant expanding.
How Do I Know if My House has Polybutylene Pipes?
We encourage homeowners to have their piping inspected by a professional because of this issue. There are a few ways you can see for yourself though we strongly recommend you hire a professional. Check for flexible gray pipes though we strongly recommend you hire a professional. Especially in an easy to spot in a mobile home, the piping often extends into the cabinetry. The marking “PB2110” will be stamped on it and the pipe itself is ½” to 1” in diameter as well. In a site-built home, first look where the pipe feeds coming out of the wall to the water heater. An indicator includes the copper rings around the connections and marking. You may have to wipe away the dust to see which color the pipes are, so keep in mind these pipes easily collect dust. Drain piping is rarely ever used with PB, the PB piping can also be discovered showing behind the shut-off valve, around sinks and toilets, as well as covered up by a chrome escutcheon ring.
Does Polybutylene Pipe Need to Be Replaced?
The only course of action is replacing the water supply’s piping if you have a professional confirm the finding of polybutylene piping. Higher denial of homeowners insurance coverage or extremely high deductible in some worse case scenarios can result if you don’t.
Plumbing Inspection, Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Marshfield, Conway & Greater Lebanon, Missouri
Other common brands of PEX style pipes are being found to have similar issue in addition to PB piping. Your Randall’s Plumbing professional can inspect for PB piping and determine the best resolve in order to spare yourself from problems. To avoid plumbing issues, call us today to inspect your Lebanon, MO home.
