What is Polybutylene?

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as "the pipe of the future" and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. It is most commonly found in the "Sun Belt" where residential construction was heavy through the 1980's and early-to-mid 90's, but it is also very common in the Mid Atlantic and Northwest Pacific states. These are typically gray or white in color with a dull finish. Most are shown with pipe attached. Figure (4) is a new fitting. The piping systems were used for underground water mains and as interior water distribution piping. Industry experts believe it was installed in at least 6 million homes, and some experts indicate it may have been used in as many as 10 million homes. Most probably, the piping was installed in about one in every four or five homes built during ...

Polybutylene is a plastic resin used to make water pipes. Developed in the 1970s, these pipes were thought of as the pipes of the future. They were cheaper and easier to install than copper pipes. In the 1980s, however, polybutylene pipes started to fail, and many experts now recommend that these pipes be replaced in homes. Polybutylene pipes were developed at the time of a building boom in the Sun Belt — the Southern portion of the United States. It's estimated that the pipes were installed in 6 million to 10 million homes in the 1980s and 1990s in the Southwestern US, as well as in the mid-Atlantic and Pacific Northwest. That's about 20 percent to 25 percent of new homes built during that time. The pipes were used both in homes and under yards to the water main. In addition to new homes, they were used in mobile homes, apartment buildings and commercial structures. About 10 to 15 years after installation, leaks were reported in the pipes. Chlorine and other common oxidants in the ...  more

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 to 1995. They are typically gray or white in color with a dull finish. Polybutylene was used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. How do I get rid of Polybutylene? There are two types of Polybutylene: Interior and exterior. Interior: There are two options in replacing your underground water main. The choice is based on the depth underground. Exterior 1) A trench is used for excavation. 2) A device is pulled through the old line, splitting it while simultaneously pulling new copper piping through the old expanded line. Interior 1) The process is performed by selectively cutting a limited number of holes in your walls. Buying a home with polybutylene: • Homes with polybutylene • Sell for less • Take longer to sell • Decrease in value over time as opposed to copper pipes • Can leak without warning • Insurance cost and coverage can be affected by poly leak ...  more

Polybutylene was next big wonder product; cheap to produce, easy to install and no maintenance. Unfortunately years after much of it was install, plumber began noticing a trend of leaking pipes. The piping systems were used for underground water mains and as interior water distribution piping. Industry experts believe it was installed in at least 6 million homes, and some experts indicate it may have been used in as many as 10 million homes. Most probably, the piping was installed in about one in every four or five homes built during the years in which the pipe was manufactured starting in the 1970's. Most builders stopped using polybutylene in the mid-90's. How to Tell If You Have Poly....... Exterior Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue(13), but may be gray(14) or black(15) (do not confuse black poly with polyethelene pipe). It is usually 1/2" or 1" in diameter, and it may be found entering your home through the basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up ...  more

Polybutylene found in Florida homes is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as "the pipe of the future" and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. It is most commonly found in the "Sun Belt" where residential construction was heavy through the 1980's and early-to-mid 90's, but it is also very common in the Mid Atlantic and Northwest Pacific states. The piping systems were used for underground water mains and as interior water distribution piping. Industry experts believe it was installed in at least 6 million homes, and some experts indicate it may have been used in as many as 10 million homes. Most probably, the piping was installed in about one in every four or five homes built during the years in which the pipe was manufactured.  more

Polybutylene is a form of plastic which, twenty to thirty years ago, was thought to be the next great advance for plumbing pipes and fixtures. Polybutylene plumbing systems were installed in millions of homes before polybutylene was discovered to be highly defective. It is rarely if ever used today, but remains in many homes built during this period.  more