Why would I need Polybutylene pipe replacement?
Polybutylene is a plastic pipe that was widely used as a water supply piping from 1975 to 1995. Polybutylene was being advertised as the product for the future, because it was cheap and easy to install. Some homes built during that period of time still need polybutylene pipe replacement to fix faulty plumbing problems. There has been a class action lawsuit and settlement, but the deadline has passed. Fortunately, repiping costs much less that you would expect.
Why is there a problem with Polybutylene Piping?
Today Polybutylene Piping is no longer used in new construction due to the fact that over time the piping breaks down and becomes extremely brittle. When your main water line fails you may wake up to a flooded yard or you may not even notice at first – maybe your water bill just went up a little – but as those cracks get bigger, the problem gets bigger.
How can I tell if I have Polybutylene Piping?
In North Georgia most of the Poly Pipe is gray or black, but it can also be blue. You may be able to check where your water supply enters the house, but in some cases you will see copper lines in the house and once outside the copper connects to the Polybutylene. We can help you determine what kind of pipe you have and offer polybutylene pipe replacement if you need it.
What does re-piping Polybutylene involve?
Most water service lines start at the street, run through your front yard and into your house. In the past we would locate the pipe, dig up your yard, pull out the polybutylene, lay new pipe and cover the excavated area back up. We are happy to announce that we can now replace the polybutylene in your yard without needing to excavate a portion of your property.
What is Pipe Slitting*?
When we perform a Pipe Slitting service call, we are simply using the polybutylene pipe as a guide for the new piping that we will be installing. As we pull the new pipe through, the old pipe breaks away – you receive a new, reliable water service line without the need to excavate a large portion of your yard. Less labor and less mess = less yard maintenance and less cost to you.
*Not all main water services lines can be slitted