If you have polybutylene pipes in your home, it is critical that you have them replaced.
If you have polybutylene pipes in your home, it is critical that you have them replaced. Replacing them with a different kind of pipe, such as PEX-A, is so important because the old ones will eventually burst. When this happens, it could cause tremendous damage to your home. Here are some things you should know about what could be hiding in the walls of your home!
What Is It?
Polybutylene pipes were first manufactured in the late 1970s and were continually used and installed in homes until the 1990s. It is a type of plastic pipe used for plumbing purposes. At first, the reason why they caught on so quickly was that they were a low-cost option that was versatile and incredibly easy to install. They also resisted freezing, which was a blessing during the long cold winters. A class-action lawsuit stopped the production of all these pipes in 1995.
How Can I Spot It?
You may find polybutylene pipes all over your home, particularly if it was built during these years and hasn’t been updated since then. Look at the walls where the sink and the toilet are, your home’s water heater, the walls of your basement, and check the shutoff valve for your home’s water supply. It is usually gray in color.
What Do I Do Next?
Once you’ve determined you have the polybutylene pipes, you need to have them replaced as soon as possible. They might not break down for thirty years, but they have probably been in your home for many decades already.
How Does Replacement Work?
New pipes made of PEX-A will be installed instead. All of the water supply will be shut off for the time being while this happens. Your plumber will then start cutting into the wall to find the unsafe pipes. They might also cut into the ceiling, but don’t worry, they’ll choose the easiest places to fix to do the cutting. Next, they will remove the polybutylene pipes that they find and put in replacements. Finally, you will need to repair the drywall and repaint the affected areas to make it look good as new.
A RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PLUMBING COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST
Alpha Plumbing is a full-service plumbing and contracting company serving the Baltimore and Annapolis metro area with expertise in all aspects of plumbing. We’re family-owned and operated since 1991 from our office in Pasadena. We offer quality plumbing services at reasonable rates in a timely fashion. Our trucks are equipped with GPS systems to ensure we’re prompt and on time. No job is too large or too small! We maintain a fleet of well-stocked trucks and also own and operate our own backhoes for jobs requiring excavation.
For more information and to get a free no-obligation estimate, you can contact us on our website, send us an e-mail, or give us a call at (410) 255-5998.
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