When Polybutylene was first introduced in the late 1970s, it was supposed to revolutionize plumbing. It did change the industry for a while, until the troubles began.
It turned out that the “crimp” type fittings would corrode, and start to leak, then they would corrode faster, and eventually the pipe would blow off the fitting and flood the house.
Damage caused by polybutylene pipe failure (source: www.polybutylene.com)
There was a well-advertised class action lawsuit and subsequent recall where the manufacturer would pay to have polybutylene replaced, but that ended a few years ago.
Obviously when there is a recall and the manufacturer is forced to pay for the replacement, there is a latent defect and there should not be an argument about replacing it. Yet, I still get push back from sellers saying “It hasn’t leaked yet!”
There are cases where homeowners insurance companies have denied claims resulting from water damage due to polybutylene pipes bursting. Some insurance companies will not issue coverage at all to houses with polybutylene.
Typical polybutylene pipes at a recent inspection
After all these years, Home Inspectors have learned a lot about polybutylene piping, the different types, and the different connectors. There are some connections which were NOT recalled and have never, and may never, leak. The problem is MOST houses have a combination of connection types with at least ONE of the worrisome copper crimp type connectors somewhere just waiting to fail when you are away on a long weekend.
If you have the crimp type Polybutylene you should probably have it inspected, and if you are planning to sell, have it REPLACED as that will be the opinion of most Home Inspectors. It is not a matter of if it will fail, but when.
Crimp-type fittings are the ones most prone to failure.
Make absolutely sure there are none of the recalled connections under a toilet, connection to a shower control, or to a hose faucet. There are places I have found them on houses that were SUPPOSED to be crimp free.
For more information on polybutylene pipes, as well as pictures of the various connection types, visit http://www.polybutylene.com.
Excellent article. I will bookmark your site. I found a house with these too – it was a nightmare.
Bob, is there a law and ordinance code requiring buildings or building code to be up to code concerning polybutylene piping?
No, there is no “code” but to most they are a well defined latent defect that must be addressed. Some Realtors don’t see it that way though. I always flag them, and if a Realtor won’t put them in the inspection section I always suggest that they put them in the property condition section… In any case they are a time bomb waiting to leak…
Interesting article/comments. Like many building material issues, there appear to be regional factors (different manufactures and different water chemistry). In SW British Columbia, Canada where I am a home inspector, there has not been major issues with the copper crimp-on fittings (as shown in article picture), only with the acetyl plastic crimp-on fittngs (grey plastic in appearance). Plumbers have told me that the plastic fittings can either break or appear to be prone to separating (apparently due to different expansion/contraction rates of the two different plastics (pipe/fitting).
As with many home components, local knowledge and making an informed choice are key.