polybutylene Information - AMA Repiping LLC
Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Atlanta
You have found the right place for resolving issues with polybutylene pipe replacement in Atlanta:
We at AMA Repiping do one thing: repipe. We can give you free estimate for polybutylene pipe replacement and we can do the job quickly and without disturbing your lifestyle.
Pipes constitute a major part of plumbing systems in homes across the US. These pipes are made from a wide range of materials, including PVC, plastic, copper, and polybutylene. Also known as ‘Poly’, polybutylene is considered perhaps the worst of all piping materials. The risk of failure in Poly pipes is unusually high compared to the other materials. Generally, homes which were built between 1975 and 1995 have polybutylene piping, as the material was developed and gained immense popularity during that period.
Hence, if your home was built before 1975 or after 1995, you probably don’t have polybutylene pipes in your home. Once the issues with the material were discovered, they were taken off the market and are no longer used in homes. In fact, most homeowners who discovered that their homes had Poly pipes had them replaced with copper or some other type of piping. So, the big question is why is polybutylene so bad? Here is a look at the risks it poses:
Wear Down Quickly
Polybutylene has low tolerance to oxidants. Oxidants are heavily present in public water supply and therefore, it is possible that oxidant-rich water runs through your pipes. Because of these oxidants, the pipes wear out quickly and this can lead to flooding, among other issues. The bigger risk is that the wear and tear starts from within, which makes it virtually impossible to notice any defects in the structure of the pipes from the surface.
Even if you get a professional plumber or inspector to check the pipes, they might be unable to report problems if there are no obvious signs of damage. This means that the problem continues to gestate and exacerbate and by the time it is discovered, the problem is beyond repair and you need to have the pipes replaced.
Excessive Leakage
Leakages are a risk in pipes made from any material. However, if there is a leakage, it can be much worse if the pipes are made from polybutylene. This is due to the way the pipes start wearing down, as mentioned above. Because the deterioration occurs from within, detecting a leak can be difficult. By the time you see water seeping from the pipes, you could be at risk of major leakage. This not only leads to flooding, but water damage to the foundation of your home. Not to mention, the water leaking from the pipes can leave spots and stains on your walls, requiring a paint job.
Cost of Repairs
Typically, the damage caused by polybutylene pipes can cost a lot of money to repair. Even insurance companies don’t offer coverage for homes which have Poly pipes installed. Not only this, you will have a hard time should you wish to sell your home in the near future. Therefore, it is better to be proactive and have the pipes replaced.
It takes just over a decade for Poly pipes to show signs of deterioration, by which time they are beyond repair. The best approach towards mitigating these risks is having the pipes in your home checked. If they are made from polybutylene, you should have them replaced the first chance you get.
Polybutylene Piping Issues
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.
Polybutylene Piping Problems
Homeowners across the country are becoming more and more aware of the risks associated with owning a house with polybutylene piping.
If they plan to live in the house for a long time and they want their house well maintained and with minimal risks of plumbing disasters like leaks and floods, they want to know if their house is built with polybutylene plumbing and want to eliminate that problem as early as possible.
If they plan to sell their house soon they do not want to be in a rush when the real estate agent or the home inspector identifies that there is polybutylene piping in the house.
In all cases homeowners want, first, a free and convenient way to identify if they have polybutylene plumbing and to get a free estimate on the work to replace the polybutylene.
Second, they want the service, if eventually ordered, to be done by one company in the shortest time. They do not want to deal with a list of companies to do: planning, pipe replacement, re-finishing of walls, painting etc.
They also want for the service to be done quickly and without the family having to vacate the house.
All of these qualities can be found in one company:
AMA Repiping
AMA specializes in repipe. We do not do other plumbing services and we do not compete with the may reputable service plumbers.
We specialize in repipe and we have done it for many, many years.
We do a free estimate.
We plan a quick project with no need for you to vacate the house.
Most projects last 3 – 5 days, but it will depend on the type of property you have.
If you have polybutylene, do not call a plumber. Call a company specialized in repipe.
Repipe is the only thing we do.
Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Cost Estimate
Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Cost Estimate
If you are looking for a company that specializes in Repipe and can do Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Cost Estimate you came to the right place.
At AMA Repiping we do one thing – repipe.
We are not service plumbers and we do not compete with local plumbers for the valuable business in which they are experts – fixing faucets, installing appliances, fixing minor issues in plumbing.
We specialize in polybutylene repipe and you can trust us for free estimates, and efficient and quality polybutylene replacement.