Polybutylene Pipe Replacement

Alpha Plumbing has been providing polybutylene pipe replacement services in our area for over 25 years. We’re here to make the transition from polybutylene piping as painless as possible. Thanks to our extensive experience, we have the skills and know-how needed to ensure that your project is completed efficiently and affordably.

Since we started in 1991, we’ve been a family-owned company that’s committed to providing the best service in the business. With our stellar reviews, A+ rating from the BBB, and Angie’s List Super Service Award 11 years running, you can trust that we’re the best and only choice when you need polybutylene pipe replacement services.

What is Polybutylene?

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was mainly used for the piping of potable water. It’s also known as poly, poly blue and PB. It was manufactured from the late 1970’s until the mid 1990’s and is mostly found in residential homes.

How Do You Tell You Have Polybutylene?

Interior: Polybutylene used inside your home can be found near the water heater, running across the ceiling in unfinished basements, and coming out of the walls to feed sinks and toilets. In some homes plumbers used copper “stub outs” where the pipe exits a wall to feed a fixture, so seeing copper here does not mean that you do not have poly.

Exterior: Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue, but may be gray or black (don’t confuse black poly with polyethylene pipe). It’s usually 1/2″ to 1″ in diameter, and it may be found entering your home through your basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up through your crawlspace; usually it enters the home near the water heater.

Examples of Polybutylene Pipe

What makes it fail?

What causes polybutylene pipes to deteriorate can be attributed to the oxidants in the water. With the increased usage of chemicals like chlorine and other bacteria fighting ingredients, significantly more failures occurred. These oxidants react with the polybutylene making it brittle and help in the development of micro cracks in the pipe that cause pipe bursting and severe floods.

How long does it take to re-pipe a home?

An average 2 1/2 bath home will take roughly 1-2 days.

Will we have to move out during the work?

No. We respect your privacy and do our best to work around your needs.

Will my water be turned off?

Yes. For most cases, it will be turned off if it’s a one day project. If it goes into the second day or more, we could restore the water service each evening for your convenience.

Do I have to move anything out of the way?

Yes, we ask that you move any fragile pieces and personal property. We respect our customers’ home and personal property.

Some people have told me that you need to take out the walls. Is that true?

We will need to cut your drywall where the water lines are hidden. To some the cuts may seem to be substantial, but we will minimize the damage the best we can. Unless, for example, you have an unfinished basement or the pipe is already exposed, then there’s less debris involved. We don’t repair drywall.

Do you offer financing?

Yes, we do. Click Here

To take advantage of Alpha Plumbing’s polybutylene pipe replacement services, call 410-255-5998.