Top 3 Things Homeowners Must Know to Prevent Polybutylene Piping Issues
If your home was built between 1978 and 1995, there is a good chance it has polybutylene pipes. This type of pipe was popular both inside the home and outside it, connecting the main line of the house to the water meter. Unfortunately, most homeowners have no idea about this until it is too late.
What is so problematic about polybutylene pipes? The main problem is that they deteriorate from the inside out, giving no warning leaks. By the time there are external signs like a cracked pipe, the problem is very advanced and additional damages are likely to have already occurred. Basically, you find out there is a problem with your pipes because your house or yard is suddenly flooded. Although the majority of damages tend to be outside the home due to flooding, structural damage is very common. And since the damage is due to oxidant degradation from common chemical additives in water, such as chlorine, odds are they will need replacement at some point.
The most important thing for every owner of an older home is to know what you’re dealing with in your home’s plumbing system. Below are the 3 most crucial things every homeowner needs to know.
How to Identify – Polybutylene pipes are made from a plastic resin and are sky blue. The easiest way to identify this type of pipe is to look for the PB in the label.
When to Replace – When faced with the thought of replacing a home’s pipes, the instinctive reaction of many homeowners is to wait until the problem escalates in order to put off the expense and inconvenience. Polybutylene pipes are different and the first sign of an issue is usually flooding.
Polybutylene pipes should be replaced immediately upon discovering they are in your home or yard. It is an investment in the integrity of your home and will most likely be required eventually anyway. As far as worries about the inconvenience to your daily routine, it really is very minimal. Professionals can typically get the entire waterline in a day and leave your home as if they were never there.
Options – Cost will likely influence your choice for replacement. A Sprinkalawn specialist will offer you the highest quality work for the greatest value. This is very minor compared to the thousands that fixing water damage in the event of cracked pipes could cost.
Plastic pipes, like PVC, will be the lowest cost and tends to be the most popular choice. Replacing with copper costs nearly twice as much and is therefore less popular.
Let’s face it – replacing all the pipes is the last thing any home owner wants to do. But replacing polybutylene pipes before there is a problem is less costly than waiting for them to rupture. Even if they are in working condition, their very presence can make it harder to sell your home in the future because many buyers simply will not take the risk of buying a home with this type of piping.
Are you ready to have your waterline replaced? Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We can provide you with an accurate estimate of costs and time required to change your waterline.