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What are polybutylene pipes? Colorado Springs homeowners beware!
Colorado Springs Homeowners beware
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I’ve attended many inspections this year, and several times I’ve ran into homes with Polybutylene piping. Let’s start with some of the basic facts:
What is Polybutylene pipeing?
It’s a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. It’s estimated that 
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. It was called the pipe of the future” and was used as a substitute for traditional copper piping.
What does it look like?
On the Exterior, Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue, but may be gray or black (do not confuse black poly with polyethelene pipe). It is usually 1/2″ or 1″ in diameter, and it may be found in homes through the basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up through a crawlspace; frequently it enters the home near the water heater.
What’s the big deal?
Poly systems may fail without warning, damaging homes and personal belongings, and disrupting lives. Factors that may contribute to poly’s failure include: chemicals in our water supply, such as chlorine, that slowly destroy the structural integrity of poly pipes and fittings; the age of the pipe — the older the pipe, the more likely a problem will occur; and faulty installation.
Will Home Inspectors Find Polybutylene piping?
A normal home inspection may not detect the presence of Polybutylene pipes. In some cases, plumbers installed copper stubs protruding through the walls connected to polybutylene hidden in the walls. P olybutylene used as a main water line can be disguised by ending at either street or house in copper. Most inspectors do not have the tool required for opening water mains to check for polybutylene. It is not a normal part of a home inspection.
What do I do if I have Polybutylene piping?
The only way to prevent damage that will come from this plumbing is to replace it. Some companies claim that they can replace a polybutylene system, in an average house, with copper for about the price of a re-carpet. They have developed methods to cause minimal damage during the remediation cutting costs and time requirements. Average remediation time is claimed to be one week.
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Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
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.