WHAT IS POLYBUTYLENE PIPE?
Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as "the pipe of the future" and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. It is most commonly found in the "Sun Belt" where residential construction was heavy through the 1980's and early-to-mid 90's, but it is also very common in the Mid Atlantic and Northwest Pacific states.

These are typically gray or white in color with a dull finish. Most are shown with pipe attached. The piping systems were used for underground water mains and as interior water distribution piping. Industry experts believe it was installed in at least 6 million homes, and some experts indicate it may have been used in as many as 10 million homes. Most probably, the piping was installed in about one in every four or five homes built during the years in which the pipe was manufactured

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE POLYBUTYLENE?
Polybutylene plumbing consists of flexible plastic pipe, gray when used inside and black or blue outside, with plastic-and-metal fittings. The surest way to check to see if you have it is to examine the pipes that run through your attic or into your house from the main city water feed for the telltale plastic gray pipe.

Exterior - Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue, but may be gray or black (do not confuse black poly with polyethelene pipe). It is usually 1/2" or 1" in diameter, and it may be found entering your home through the basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up through your crawlspace; frequently it enters the home near the water heater. Your main shutoff valve is attached to the end of the water main. Also, you should check at the water meter that is located at the street, near the city water main. It is wise to check at both ends of the pipe because we have found cases where copper pipe enters the home, and poly pipe is at the water meter. Obviously, both pipes were used and connected somewhere underground.
Interior - Polybutylene used inside your home can be found near the water heater, running across the ceiling in unfinished basements, and coming out of the walls to feed sinks and toilets. Warning: In some regions of the country plumbers used copper "stub outs" where the pipe exits a wall to feed a fixture, so seeing copper here does not mean that you do not have poly.

POLYBUTYLENE DANGER
Polybutylene has, as it turns out, a relatively short life span, since chemicals in normal city-provided water cause it to harden and become brittle. The fittings usually go first, springing leaks, followed by the pipe itself. The pipe's tendency to burst has earned polybutylene a common nickname of "ticking time bomb" from plumbers. If someone is home when a burst occurs and can immediately shut off the water, it may only result in a few thousand dollars in damage. Unfortunately, many are not at home when this occurs, and the damage is much more extensive.

What are the problems with polybutylene pipe? Reports indicate that the chlorine in treated water will cause the polybutylene to become brittle; under pressure it will split apart. Polybutylene pipes can leak at anytime, destroying you home and its contents. The problem is there is no warning or a way to tell or predict that the pipe is nearing the time it will fail. It is not possible for a home inspector or a plumber to determine if the polybutylene is about to fail by looking at the outside of the pipe. The deterioration starts from the inside of the pipe, so no evidence is visible from the outside. Failure can happen suddenly without warning. To date, lawsuits are still outstanding, and class action settlement dollars are pending. To find out more, go to www.pbpipe.com. The bottom line is that this pipe is known to be a problem. If you have it in your house, you need to know about it. To have this pipe replaced with copper costs about the same as recarpeting, or a re-roofing. If you are buying a house that has polybutylene, don't let the fact stop you from buying the house; these things can usually be negotiated to both parties' advantage. If you are still not sure if you have polybutylene, call a home inspector. Remember, for your protection, get a home inspection.

WHAT IS REPIPE?
A replumb is a complete replacement of the water distribution system in a home. All pipe fittings, stop valves and supply lines are replaced. Most replumb jobs take around 4 days, and water is restored daily at the completion of the day's work, ensuring the livability of the home.

Our complete turnkey process ensures that your home is restored to original condition, and no other contractors are needed. You are secure in knowing that our technicians are licensed, bonded, insured and have undergone background investigations.

All work is guaranteed by the most comprehensive warranties available in today's market. Some exterior yard service mains can even be installed with a trench-less installation.

Delta Mechanical, Inc., the nation's largest non-franchised company, has completed over 28,000 interior pipe replacements and 16,000 yard service replacements. In business since 1980, you can count on a company who has gained the trust of corporate clients such as The Home Depot, Lowe's and Pepsi-Cola.

Recognized as the expert in re-piping homes with defective Polybutylene pipe, problematic Copper pipe and corroded Galvanized pipe, we use state-of-the-art techniques and detailed quality control. We pioneered the way repipes should be done and have set the standard for others to follow.