Polybutylene Plumbing
Polybutylene Plumbing
This is a type of supply plumbing pipe that was used from about 1978 to about 1996 across North America. It is a flexible pipe that requires no soldering. It is usually grey.
The issue with polybutylene was that customers started complaining about polybutylene piping leaks in their homes. The fittings used to join pieces of polybutylene together began to fail in some circumstances, leading to piping leaks.
The Home Inspection
A home inspection, or any plumbing inspection for that matter, cannot determine if polybutylene piping is about to leak simply by looking at the outside of it. Pipes deteriorate from the inside and can split under pressure. They can leak anytime without warning destroying furniture, family heirlooms, and even causing structural damage. Leaks can go unnoticed and lead to mold.
The condition of the polybutylene pipes and fittings cannot be determined by any inspection method since there are no visible signs of deterioration until failure occurs. There is no single course of action that is recommended for consumers with polybutylene plumbing. Many recommend replacing the entire system even if there have not been any problems. This course of action should be considered taking into account your personal level of risk aversion, the types of materials used, the age of the system, as well as past performance.