Should i replace polybutylene

They provided easy to install home plumbing systems on millions of homes with the idea that they would last longer than most other piping materials. Unfortunately, polybutylene proved to be disastrous. It turns out that the plastic used reacts to oxidants and disinfectants in public water supplies, like chlorine. The result is scaling and flaking from within that creates microfractures in the pipes that will eventually burst. Do you have polybutylene pipes in your home? Three major companies developed and produced polybutylene pipes: Vanguard, Qest and Shell Oil.

Home builders found them to be a boon because they were less expensive than other materials like copper plumbing and required less time and expertise to install. Most of them were in the Southern United States, including Texas. In , two major lawsuits shut down the use of polybutylene and the material was no longer allowed by building codes. Depending on the scale of the project and how much of the Big Blue you would like to replace, polybutylene pipe replacement can cost anywhere from two thousand dollars to over fifteen thousand dollars.

However, this cost is often worth the peace of mind you will get from getting rid of Big Blue. When left unaddressed, faulty polybutylene pipes can cause catastrophic water damage. Take the first step towards getting your home polybutylene-free by calling Metcalf Plumbing today!

Metcalf Plumbing is a customer-focused plumbing contractor serving residential and commercial clients throughout the Catonsville, Ellicott City and surrounding areas.

From water heater installation, sump pump installation and repair to water and sewer line replacement, Metcalf Plumbing is a trusted resource to call on when you need help with your plumbing services. We are not commission-based and we provide honest, upfront costs with a thorough inspection of your system and suggested next steps. Our trained and courteous technicians are standing by to provide quality comfort at competitive prices. While studies have shown at least some small amount of a causal link to polybutylene plumbing being risky, the truth of the matter is that any material can fail.

Even modern plastics, copper, galvanized steel, and other materials that have long been utilized for their durability and longevity will eventually wear out with continual exposure to water. Quest piping has simply been shown to fail at a higher rate than many other materials. In fact, studies have even suggested that the reason for polybutylene pipe failure is similar to the reason why your copper galvanized steel pipes will eventually fail—substances commonly found in public water supplies like chlorine would react with the material in polybutylene pipes, causing them to flake and scale.

This caused the pipes to become brittle, resulting in microfractures that could create everything from pin-hole leaks to complete pipe failures without warning. However, you should absolutely take a few extra precautionary steps before making any deal.