Q: My home inspector identified polybutylene plumbing in the home I am buying, and although she could not find any defects, recommended that it be further evaluated by a plumber and recommended that I inform myself about some lawsuits. Why did she do that?
A: Your home inspector made a recommendation this is becoming increasingly common in the home inspection industry. It is important to remember that the inspector could only view visible plumbing, not plumbing hidden in walls, ceilings and floors. PB (polybutylene) supply plumbing is the subject of several ongoing and active lawsuits alleging pipe and pipe fitting deficiencies.
Between six and ten million homes in the United States are thought to have been completely plumbed with PB plumbing, mostly during the 1970’s and 1980’s though some homes continue to be plumbed using PB. Progressively larger numbers of insurance carriers are beginning to require higher insurance premiums for homes containing PB plumbing. Other carriers will not insure homes with PB plumbing at all. Homes with PB plumbing may sell for less, reflecting the cost of replumbing them.
Before we become alarmed lets clarify what PB plumbing isn’t. It is supply plumbing, not waste plumbing. It is not PEX (cross linked polyethylene) plumbing which is usually bright red or bright blue. It is not PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) plumbing which is usually white, off white or pale yellow color. PB plumbing can be white, silver or black, but is usually a gray color local homes. Many area mobile homes are plumbed with PB as are some houses locally.
Home inspectors are generalists, not specialists. They can identify the apparent presence of PB plumbing and inform their clients of its existence in their prospective home. Therefore, most of them recommend a specialist, a qualified, licensed plumber to confirm that it is PB plumbing and whether or not it is the particular brand that is subject of ongoing lawsuits. Many local plumbing firms are familiar with the removal and rebate process and can be very helpful. Some plumbing contractors specialize in PB removal and replumbing of existing homes which can be challenging due to the fact that these homes are finished and occupied.
In the early years of polybutylene, it was common for code inspectors to give the okay to cover work following a visual inspection under normal city water pressure. But when quality-looking crimps occasionally leaked and popped joints flooded new homes, code inspectors began insisting on an elevated pressure test before the piping could be wrapped up.
Posted by: plumbing supplies | January 09, 2011 at 01:08 AM