Poly B plumbing..what has been your experience with it?

[2porscheguy]

My 3500 sq ft 2 story home was built in 1997 and so with it came Poly B (Polybutylene) plumbing which was the standard in plumbing materials when we had it built. My home insurance just skyrocketed up by 40% after a mandatory 25 year inspection. Luckily I never completed my basement so the plumbing is very accessible at least in the lower level.

What has your experience been with it? Did you bite the bullet and have it replaced? Poly B was used in Canada from 1978 to 1998.

[Sawyer911]

I just finished a reno and swapped out all of the PB. I saw no issues but everything was getting moved around so I just swapped it out. My FIL put the fear in me when I originally moved in and let me to believe the PB was a time bomb. But every length and points of attachment were all fine after almost 40 years in service.. After some research the issue was when PB is used in a chlorinated system as it can degrade it.

Sawyer

[GothingNC]

I had it all replaced in my old house back in 2004.

Started off with one fitting that let go in the crawl space

A week later, no hot water-pipe burst going to the water heater and damaged the ceiling and put a hole in the wall

Month later another pipe burst in the ceiling, flooded most of the first floor overnight

After that I had it all ripped out and replaced with Pex.

The water system was connected to a community well.

[A930Rocket]

What does it entail to swap out polybutylene to something else? Lots of drywall damage?

I take it the old pipe is abandoned and new pipes run? What does the old pipe get pulled out?

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

What does it entail to swap out polybutylene to something else? Lots of drywall damage?

I take it the old pipe is abandoned and new pipes run? What does the old pipe get pulled out?

I've done this with a real plumber - not a make pretend one like me.

We attached the new pipes to the old polybutylene pipes. He was on one end upstairs and I was one the other end. Lots of pushing and pulling, but we got it through the walls without cutting holes in the drywall. We did three houses like this.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

I had it all replaced in my old house back in 2004.

Started off with one fitting that let go in the crawl space

A week later, no hot water-pipe burst going to the water heater and damaged the ceiling and put a hole in the wall

Month later another pipe burst in the ceiling, flooded most of the first floor overnight

After that I had it all ripped out and replaced with Pex.

The water system was connected to a community well.

Did an actual Poly B pipe section burst or did a joint give way?

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

Did an actual Poly B pipe section burst or did a joint give way?

Two had joints that failed and one the pipe actually split.

[GothingNC]

The Chemical Breakdown of Poly B Pipes
One of the most significant problems with Poly B pipes is their susceptibility to chemical degradation. Exposure to certain chemicals, particularly chlorine, can weaken the pipe walls over time, leading to leaks, bursts, and even complete pipe failure. This degradation process is accelerated by factors such as high water temperatures, UV exposure, and the presence of certain minerals in the water.

Chlorine’s Devastating Effect
Chlorine is a common disinfectant used in municipal water systems to kill bacteria and viruses. While essential for public health, chlorine can have a detrimental effect on Poly B pipes. Even at low concentrations, chlorine can gradually break down the chemical bonds in the pipe material, making it brittle and prone to cracking. Over time, this can lead to pinhole leaks, which can be difficult to detect and often result in significant water damage.

Other Chemical Culprits
Besides chlorine, other chemicals found in water, such as sulfides and chloramines, can also contribute to Poly B pipe degradation. These chemicals can react with the pipe material, causing it to become brittle and susceptible to failure. The presence of certain minerals, like iron and manganese, can also accelerate the degradation process by forming deposits that restrict water flow and increase stress on the pipe walls.

Physical Degradation and Stress Cracks
Poly B pipes are also susceptible to physical degradation and stress cracks. Their flexible nature, while initially advantageous, can become a liability over time. Repeated bending, flexing, and expansion and contraction due to temperature changes can weaken the pipe walls and lead to cracks. These cracks can start small and may not be immediately noticeable, but they can gradually enlarge, eventually leading to leaks and pipe failure.