Polybutylene pipe was in use until about 1996. An estimated 6-10 million homes were plumbed with polybutylene pipe, with the majority installed primarily in the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. While the pipe was installed in all types of structures, it was heavily used in the manufactured mobile home industry from 1976 through 1996. Polybutylene is a defective material, and if installed in your home, should be replaced as soon as possible. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumbers in Arlington, Texas to schedule the replacement of polybutylene piping.
The pipe has caused serious water leaks, and extensive damage to homes. In some cases, the amount of damage was so extensive that insurance companies wrote the homes off as a complete loss. For this reason, if polybutylene pipe is potentially in your home, the following will assist you to identify the pipe:
- Polybutylene is a type of plastic pipe. In the exterior environment, it may serve as your water’s main incoming supply from the water meter. Furthermore, it’s typically blue, gray, or black.
- The pipe typically bears a stamp with “PB” and a series of numbers. The most common stamping was “PB2110”.
- In addition, polybutylene may be installed in out of sight locations, with copper pipe visible in exposed areas. Benjamin Franklin plumbers in Arlington, Texas can determine if your home contains the defective pipe, and provide the reliable, professional repiping that you need.
If you are planning to sell your home, you should know most buyers want a home in move in condition without waiting for a repipe, or the repair of water damage and mold remediation. In general, homes with polybutylene piping sell for less, and are harder to sell without repiping. Furthermore, insurance companies are likely to cancel a homeowner’s insurance policy, or refuse to grant one with homes containing the defective pipe.
Contact our plumbers in Arlington, Texas for repiping as soon as possible, whether you plan to sell your home or not. There are a number of reliable pipe materials available for replacement. Copper, PVC/CPVC and PEX are the most common. Contact Benjamin Franklin plumbers in Arlington, Texas for additional information about modern pipe materials. Our plumbers will provide the assistance you need to make an informed decision selecting the best option for your home, and budget.
In addition, the condition of polybutylene can’t be determined with a visible inspection as deterioration occurs from the inside out. Leaks may occur without any warning. Replacement is the only option for the pipe.
If you suspect the presence of polybutylene pipe in your home, give us a call. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumbers in Arlington, Texas have the expertise to identify the pipe, and provide an estimate for its removal, and repiping your home, including manufactured homes. We guarantee your 100% satisfaction with our plumbing services. We serve Arlington, Fort Worth and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.