What is polybutylene pipe?
A flexible plastic water pipe, usually gray, sometimes blue or black, that was a low-cost alternative to copper. It was used for the pipes inside homes and for the water service line from the meter. It was withdrawn from the market in the mid 1990s after widespread failures.
How do I know if my house has it?
- The home, or an addition or remodel, dates from about 1978 to 1995.
- Flexible gray pipe at the water heater, under sinks, behind the toilet or in the crawl space.
- The marking PB2110 printed on the pipe.
- Plastic or metal crimp fittings at the joints.
It is not the same as PEX, which is the modern flexible pipe, or as white CPVC. If you are not sure what you have, we can tell you on a visit.
Why is polybutylene a problem?
The pipe and its fittings can break down from the inside over time. It may look fine on the outside until it splits or a fitting lets go. There is no test that proves a polybutylene system is sound, and that is why it also comes up in home sales and insurance.
Can polybutylene be repaired?
A leak can be patched with a transition fitting, but that does not change the condition of the rest. Replacement is the lasting answer.
How is it replaced?
It is a repipe. We map the system, run new copper or PEX to every fixture, connect it, test it under pressure, and take the old pipe out of service. PEX is often chosen because it follows similar routes with few wall openings; see copper or PEX. When the job needs a permit, we pull it.
What about the line from the meter?
If the service line in the yard is polybutylene too, it can be replaced at the same time. See water line repair.
I am buying or selling a house with polybutylene. What should I do?
Get a written estimate for replacement so the cost is known before you negotiate. Estimates are free.
Who is Friendly Services?
A family-owned plumbing company with over 20 years in Hayward. License CSLB #1156315 (C-36 plumbing), $1M general liability cover and workers' comp. Our own work has a five-year workmanship warranty, and we have 100+ five-star reviews online.