Why Replace Your Polybutylene Pipes?

If you are reading this, then you have probably already heard something about how it is important to replace any polybutylene plumbing that may exist within your home. Of course doing so will undoubtedly cost you, so the first questions anyone should probably ask are “Why?” and “Do I have to?”

To which the answers would be, “Yes.” and “Because you will regret it if you don’t.”

Granted, those are not very helpful answers by themselves, so let’s break it down with some quick facts.

What is Polybutylene?

To understand the problem with polybutylene, it helps to understand the intention behind it. Back in 1978, the plumbing industry believed it had discovered their next best thing with the new application of a polymer, called polybutylene, in their piping due to its low material cost and easy installation. What nobody seemed to account for, however, was the discovery that polybutylene pipes do not last for a very long time.

The Problem with Polybutylene Pipes

It turns out that when polybutylene pipelines are exposed to the chemicals naturally found within the water that runs through our plumbing, such as chlorine, the pipes become brittle and unstable over the course of time. This eventually results in harmful water leaks and, soon after that, a broken system of pipes.

This serious design flaw was eventually realized, and in 1995 polybutylene plumbing was banned in both the United States and Canada. Unfortunately, as it was the primary piping material used across both nations, those 17 years were more than enough time for serious widespread property damages to arise. To make matters worse, many households still have polybutylene pipes inside them today, and due to the nature of the material, they will break before long. Guaranteed.

What Should I Do if I Have Polybutylene Pipes in My Home?

Replace them as soon as possible. In most cases involving broken polybutylene pipelines, significant infrastructural damage occurs as a result. These kinds of damages can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars to homeowners, so it is important to remove any outdated pipes immediately.

Due to the specific nature of this problem, contact a professional repiping specialist rather than a general plumber to get the job done reliably. There are many companies that solely specialize in repiping, with qualified experts who focus their experience in locating and replacing polybutylene plumbing systems.

If you have polybutylene in your home, contact AMA Repiping for a free estimate on replacing your polybutylene piping with brand new and guaranteed one.