The problem with polybutylene pipes

I was out showing property the other day and came across a home that was in the process of having it's polybutylene pipes removed. Luckily the listing information had mentioned these repairs were being made so I had the opportunity to tell my clients about polybutylene before we entered the house.


If you're not familiar with polybutylene pipes, you're probably haven't lived in any of the Southwestern states. Polybutylene was a very popular type of plastic resin piping that was used for home plumbing systems in the "Sun Belt" states between 1978 and 1995. It was the material of choice in those days because it was cheap and easy to install. Problem is that several different factors can cause the pipes and their fittings to burst, in turn flooding your home and potentially causing mold. Chlorine and other chemicals in the water supply are the biggest contributors because they're known to cause the pipes to deteriorate, eventually causing leaks. Bad installation is another contributing factor.

Unfortunately there's not quick fix for a home that has polybutylene; the only remedy is to replace the pipes. It's really not a matter of "if" these pipes will burst, it's more a matter of when. Besides being expensive it's just a big hassle because plumbing companies must cut holes in various walls of your home to get access to the bad pipes. Estimates say that polybutylene pipes exist in anywhere from 6 to 10 million homes. I guess it's not hard to figure out that there are a lot of homes in the Tucson area that have polybutylene pipes. These homes tend to sit on the market longer because most buyers don't want to deal with them. Having a home inspection prior to buying is no guarantee that you'll know if the home has polybutylene pipes; some home inspectors have difficulty identifying them. You're best bet is to contact a local plumbing company that specializes in polybutylene replacement.

There are several sites that provide great information about polybutylene pipes

Everything you want to know about polybutylene (I'm not promoting the plumbing company, just their informative site!)

What you should know about polybutylene