What should you do if you are about to move into a home with polybutylene pipes?
Since the 1970s, millions of homes across the country were made with polybutylene piping, which was one of the many new building materials that were cheaper, lighter, and easier to produce than traditional metals. However, as these pipe systems started to age, their reliability became quite questionable. Despite these pipes’ manufacturers arguing that their pipes are still safe, their elevated failure rate is a cause for concern. What if you are about to move into a home with polybutylene pipes? There is a lot to consider if this is the case for both you and your family’s safety. Read on to learn more!
Will My Pipes All Fail?
First things first, it is important to know that it is no guarantee that your polybutylene pipes will fail. While it has been proven that these pipes can be risky, the truth is that any material can fail too. Even modern plastics, galvanized steel, or other materials used for a long time for durability will wear out eventually with exposure to water. A few studies have shown that polybutylene pipe failure is quite similar to why your copper galvanized steel pipes will fail eventually – substances commonly found in public water supplies like chlorine will react with the materials in polybutylene pipes causing them to scale and flake. This causes the pipes to become brittle, resulting in fractures that could create anything from pin-hole leaks to total pipe failures without proper warning. The main issue with polybutylene pipes is that they are old now, which means the likelihood of them being damaged or worn down is quite high.
Should I Still Move into a Home with Polybutylene Piping?
If you’re considering moving into a home with this piping, hire a licensed plumber to inspect your home and determine the health of your plumbing system. This is a good idea but crucial if you’ve got polybutylene plumbing since you want to make sure there are no possible issues. Review your homeowner’s insurance to ensure that you’re protected too. This is important since some insurance companies might not insure homes with polybutylene piping against flood damage from plumbing failures. Also, try to see if you could repipe your home if the damage is too severe and you still wish to live in the house.
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.