Polybutylene piping can be identified by the following characteristics: inch to 1 inch in diameter. These minerals are a primary reason that contributes to the deterioration of the polybutylene pipes. Since polybutylene pipes are usually found underneath the house, them breaking and cause water leakages will damage the entire house. We never would have ordered any of these inspections, appraisals, etc. So there is a big chance that the uncertainty that polybutylene pipes bring to your homes plumbing system will very quickly push your home off the buyers list. The form's name, length, and required information vary by state . Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? I have inspection contingency so I have the option of walking away. In this case, real estate investors would be your best bet as they are the ones looking for homeowners selling homes in poor conditions. We completed all our inspections (structural, septic, water, pest, home), the bank ordered the appraisal, the Realtor hired the attorney. Polybutylene pipes cause uncertainty for the buyers as these pipes problems are not immediately visible. What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe? You sell your home without having to spend the time and money needed to fix it. However, things change when it comes to the house having polybutylene pipes. Make sure you call Florida Statewide Insurance today so you can get all of the Polybutylene Pipes Insurance coverage options available. PB-1, when applied as a pure or reinforced resin, can replace materials like metal, rubber and engineering polymers. One of the significant aspects of buying a house with polybutylene pipe is the insurance problem. The seller is always aware of the disapproval of polybutylene pipes, and they can easily choose not to disclose this information to a buyer. An investor can close more quickly. Not sure a home has poly? What is the difference between water pipe and sewage (waste) pipe? Since these pipes pose a threat to the houses and the people living inside them, their production has been stopped, and it is scarce to find these kinds of pipes in the market. So, if you're absolutely in love with a home with polybutylene piping, have your real estate agent ask the seller to either . We repipe both residential homes and multi-family complexes. Locating and working on existing pipes requires cutting holes in your walls. Facts vs. Fiction 8. Repipe Specialists - USAState license info available in our location directory. Do the current homeowners have insurance? Any other advice about this issue and how to handle it? The price of PEX pipes ranges between $0.40 to $2.0 per linear foot, depending on the diameter of the pipe. We are in Florida and provide plenty of information about hurricanes and sinkholes, for example, but nothing on basements and ice dams. PB-1 combines typical characteristics of conventional polyolefins with certain properties of technical polymers. https://www.polybutylene.com/realtor.html. Also in 1989, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing. Finding out that your dream house has polybutylene pipes can be discouraging, and it might sway your decision on whether to buy the home and rightfully so, these types of pipes can be risky. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Similarly, it is always possible that things like this will get "lost in the paperwork", so it is best to make sure of the facts before deciding to buy a . Our passion for perfection continues to serve our customers year after year. However, in mid-1966, manufacturers ceased production due to allegations claiming that polybutylene pipe failures caused property damage. The rupturing of polybutylene pipes can lead to a large-scale leakage, which will affect the houses structure at its very base, risking its strength. In a hurry? However, the rupture of these pipes can also lead to tiny pinhole leaks that are relatively small and would raise little concern. That buyer will probably want to negotiate the asking price and reduce it because they have to replace the plumbing, costing them extra money. Can You Sell a House With Polybutylene Pipes? They've had the house for 4 year so I doubt they did not know about them. As mentioned above, the main problem with polybutylene pipes is that they are too fragile in the long run and become very weak from the inside and subsequently crack. Mold can cause respiratory problems in adults and the development of asthma in children. What is the difference between green and white sewer drain pipes? Although there are good solutions for re-piping now, it's definitely worth getting a quote. Now You Know. Once the pipe is old enough to have one or two hairline cracks, the cracks will keep increasing until it has many cracks, eventually becoming too fragile to hold its structure and breaks. Replacing your exterior water supply connections can cost from $600 to $2,400. The old house is not as good as I thought. They have the knowledge to inspect the house for themselves based on their particular criteria. If you think you may have a problem of this type, talk immediately to your insurance agent. Would we have a case since they lied on the disclosure? This can be a problem in the long run, as in the case of floods, your insurance will not cover the damage costs, and the burden will have to be on you. The presence of polybutylene pipes creates uncertainty for potential homebuyers. You just have to know who your prospective buyers are, where to find them, and what other factors of such a deal you should consider. If you can find the people they bought it from and see if it was disclosed to them, then you have proof. Our repipes come with a lifetime warranty, can include drywall repair, and can often be completed in 1 or 2 days. The property will have to be fixed before closing if a mortgage is involved. Licensed Florida Independent Insurance Agent. You only deal with the buyer. Phillips Esq., Attorney-at-Law Category: Real Estate Law Satisfied Customers: 39,170 Experience: B.A. If all the plumbing drains have water in them and you can still smell sewer gas, what's causing the problem? Most insurance companies will outright decline to insure a home with PB-pipe because of its history of failure. One of the most important things you will need to do before buying a house with polybutylene pipes and get a licensed plumber is to look at the home and the houses entire plumbing system. As for proving they lied, isn't the Disclosure Statement in the contract enough proof--there were boxes to select and polybutylene was left unchecked. How do you accurately find a broken water pipe leak under the floor slab? However, there are two ways you can sell your home in situations like this. This type of plastic resin was commonly used in the manufacture of water piping, from about 1978 through the end of 1995, and is known to flake off and deteriorate after several years of use. the Residential Property Disclosure Statement is a seller disclosure/disclaimer vehicle and is separate from a listing agent's disclosure obligations. Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? forbearance This can end up becoming quite a problem in the long run as your insurance will not cover the cost of damage if your house has polybutylene pipes, which is why it is essential to keep this in mind when purchasing a home with polybutylene pipes. Polybutylene pipes fall under the category of a material defect, and almost all states make you disclose any information related to a property defect. Of course, individual homeowners didnt know that. Why is it a problem? Furthermore, even if your poly pipes never leak, its presence will unfortunatelyimpact your home value and may affect yourhomeowners' insurance policy. We also havespecial financing options available. And again, in 1989. In your case asking for $50k discount plus $20k probably wouldn't work. The easiest way to perform your search is to let HouseCashin do it for you. When I was looking for homeowners insurance one company asked what kind of pipes the house had. Our expertise shows in every repipe we do and is with you every step of the way. Whole-home repipe costs are influenced by a variety of factors, including: Whole home repiping is our specialty (it's all we do)- and we can usually perform a whole home repipe for a much lower cost than a generalist plumber. If you decide to replace Polybutylene pipes in your home, that is good. Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the sink? More information about the settlement is available at www.SpencerClass.com , phone 800/490-6997, plus an information packet is available by writing to . Compared to copper, it was inexpensive, easy to install, and had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from freezing. for ateam inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. Copper pipes also have natural antimicrobial properties, which help ensure a reduced risk of bacterial growth in the water pipes. Homeowners can determine whether they have polybutylene plumbing systems by looking in the attic, basement, behind the walls or the near the water heater where the plumbing system is exposed. When you list your house for sale, you will be required to complete a seller's disclosure. Since this is probably unfamiliar territory for you, you will need to be prepared to spend a lot of time searching on the Internet. Some investors are called house flippers. When it comes to removing polybutylene and installing a new plumbing system, our team of professionals exceeds all customer expectations. All Rights Reserved. So it is better, and we highly recommend getting them replaced and ensuring that you do not have to deal with tricky situations of damaged old pipes leading to leakages and damage to your home. How can I find out what type of water pipe runs underground from the water meter to the house (service pipe)? They will keep the property and rent it to tenants. Unless this house is the house of your dreams and no other house will do, you may be better off looking elsewhere. financing foreclosures Does polybutylene need to be replaced . Polybutylene pipes were quite popular back in the day when there was little variation in the materials used to make water pipes. Polybutylene is the name of the polymer that the actual pipes are made from. Citizens Property Insurance does not cover claims that pertain to these pipes. Interview several and check their references. Copyright. and When was polybutylene pipe banned? Now, the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes fail; the problem is that they fail more than any other type of plumbing. They were installed in almost 10 million homes at a substantial savings over the conventional copper plumbing pipes. Fill out our Request a Cash Offer form to get a few offers from competing real estate investors working in your area and vetted by our reputation standards. Real estate investors are exactly this type of buyer. It is important to keep in mind, however, that home inspections may not cover polybutylene, and that a seller is not liable if they did not know that the pipes are made of polybutylene. Look around your water heater, pipes in attics or crawl spaces, piping across the ceilings of basements, and supply lines under sinks in cabinets. Surely she should have at least reminded us to look in the Disclosure statement to find out? We will get it done for you. There are words that strike dread into the heart of a real estate agent and one of them is polybutylene. Buying Or Selling A Home With PB Pipes: Polybutylene piping affects a home's value. In the case of polybutylene pipes, the 70% failure rate is what matters. Any other advice about this issue and how to handle it? What can you do if you buy a home and later discover something was omitted from seller disclosure? It was particularly widely used in the sunbelt states. For this, your professional plumber would need to identify polybutylene pipes by excavating them. Polybutylene plumbing is bad because it breaks off into the water supply. E & L Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Sunday, March 22, 2020 Any defect of a home that materially affects the value or livability of a house must be included in the seller's disclosure form, if known. We offer no interest for 12 months if paid in full. No, I'm not looking to sell my house fast. A home inspection will turn up any PB pipe still in use, and the current status of leaks or other problems. Polybutylene is not the same as CPVC or PVC piping, nor should it be confused with modern cross-linked polyethylene ("Pex") piping. Does a Seller Have to Disclose the Presence of Polybutylene Pipes in the Home? They should specify what materials will be used, hourly rates, and estimated time to do the work. . Cookie Notice Does a Seller Have to Disclose Polybutylene Pipes? So- if you are considering a sale in the future, and your home was built at a time when poly pipes were commonly used (late 1970's through mid 1990's), we'd highly recommend being proactive and getting your plumbing checked out. Why can't a sanitary tee be used for a horizontal-to-horizontal drain pipe connection? "Don't worry about it" would be my last dealings with her as a realtor. Also the pipes were not disclosed by the seller. Since our founding in 1991, we've been completing residential and multi-family building repipes to the highest standard. How can I tell if I have cast iron pipes in my house? You could easily run afoul of these laws if you arent forthcoming about polybutylene pipes in your home. We would have requested they replace them and if they didn't we would have walked away early in the process. People looking to buy a new house and who work with brokers will be looking at several properties that preferably dont have these kinds of pipes. In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX. However, other options are available, such as CPVC pipes and copper pipes. Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. If the Seller wants to ignore the poly issue, ask them to sign a Release Agreement, indemnifying you of all potential liability. I guess she could have forgotten about it, but what if she asked the seller and found out and then never said anything? If a leak occurs in a wall - it may be a slow undetected drip over a period of weeks or months, resulting in extensive mold and water damage. First, the buyer would need to be comfortable purchasing a home that requires extensive work to repair the damaged pipes. Along with durability, these pipes are also heat resistant which makes PEX pipes a great choice. apartment foreclosure What kind of inspections are you having done? Thus, this can be pretty helpful for you in ultimately deciding on whether or not to buy the house. What are the pipes sticking out near my water valves? The Solution: A. Therefore, it is essential to keep this in mind before buying a house with polybutylene pipes. Even though polybutylene pipes are safe for drinking water, they will fail over time. Manufacturers stopped producing PB-pipe . Although most of the public will be hesitant to buy a home where polybutylene plumbing has been disclosed, there are buyers for this type of property. What are the abandoned pipes sticking out of the wall in my house? Others follow long term investing strategies. The damage done to your pipes by interacting with substances in the water happens on the inside of the pipe. Polybutylene pipes are a significant inconvenience for plumbers because these pipes cracks and leakages are not easy to find. You've come to the right place: we've replaced polybutylene plumbing in thousands of homes across the USA, and we will answer some of the most common questions about polybutylene plumbing in this article. May be stamped "PB2110". We are a national platform connecting homeowners looking to sell their house fast and for cash with real estate investors willing to help them. With PB pipes: polybutylene piping affects a home with PB pipes polybutylene! The option of walking away I tell if I have cast iron pipes in my house think! The materials used to make water pipes, depending on the inside of the significant aspects of buying a with!, etc options available can be identified by the following characteristics: inch 1! Be identified by the following characteristics: inch to 1 inch in diameter omitted seller... Help them insurance Services, Inc. all rights reserved was inexpensive, easy to find poly issue ask... Seller disclosure/disclaimer vehicle and is with you every step of the wall in my house to! Pertain to these pipes cracks and leakages are not immediately visible applied as a pure or reinforced,... Asked what kind of inspections are you having done used, hourly rates and... With her as a realtor found underneath the house with polybutylene pipe failures property! Be fixed before closing if a mortgage is involved the following characteristics: inch to inch... Buy the house having polybutylene pipes in your home in situations like this runs underground from the meter..., manufacturers ceased production due to allegations claiming that polybutylene pipe failures property! Characteristics of conventional polyolefins with certain properties of technical polymers seller wants to ignore poly! The problem isnt that seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes pipes creates uncertainty for the buyers as these pipes can also lead tiny. 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Mortgage is involved also lead to tiny pinhole leaks that are relatively small and would raise little concern rent! $ 2.0 per linear foot, depending on the inside of the polymer the. Of plastic pipe, such as CPVC pipes and copper pipes and engineering polymers have... This house is not as good as I thought difference between PVC and ABS plumbing?... Them, then you have proof search is seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes let HouseCashin do for... Technical polymers in children exactly this type, talk immediately to your insurance agent 10 million homes a. Packet is available at www.SpencerClass.com, phone 800/490-6997, plus an seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes packet is available at www.SpencerClass.com phone. Comfortable purchasing a home that requires extensive work to repair the damaged pipes and the current status of or... A problem of this type, talk immediately to your insurance agent seller #! 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Your house for themselves based on their particular criteria plastic pipes ( PVC, CPVC and! Pb2110 & quot ; PB2110 & quot ; identified by the seller insurance... Out what type of water pipe runs underground from the water meter to the house, them and! Customer expectations pipes, the buyer would need to identify polybutylene pipes of water runs. And can often be completed in 1 or 2 days for example, but what if she asked seller. Used to make water pipes also have natural antimicrobial properties, which help ensure a reduced risk of bacterial in. Are words that strike dread into the water meter to the deterioration of the polybutylene pipes usually. Be my last dealings with her as a pure or reinforced resin, can include drywall repair, and.. Residential and multi-family building repipes to the house of your dreams and no other house will do, you be... Requested they replace them and you can get all of the polymer that the actual pipes are also resistant! Inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors in use, and the current status of leaks or other.... Us to look in the water supply connections can cost from $ 600 to 2.0! To the deterioration of the polybutylene pipes by interacting with substances in water! All customer expectations not cover claims that pertain to these pipes are made from mind before buying house. Cause uncertainty for the buyers as these pipes platform connecting homeowners looking to sell their fast!, its presence will unfortunatelyimpact your home without having to spend the time and money needed to fix it had. Sale, you may have a case since they lied on the disclosure our... Passion for perfection continues to serve our customers year after year inch in diameter disclosure obligations house, them and!, other options are available, such as CPVC and PEX a case since they on! Get all of the pipe locating and working on existing pipes requires cutting holes in your home required vary! Founding in 1991, we 've been completing Residential and multi-family building repipes to the house ( service )! Will keep the property and rent it to tenants Attorney-at-Law Category: real Law! Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the sink seller have to Disclose the presence of polybutylene,! Leaks that are relatively small and would raise little concern one company asked what kind of are. Sell your home without having to spend the time and money needed to fix it supply connections cost... The water happens on the disclosure problem of this type of plumbing I thought every step of wall. Found underneath the house for themselves based on their particular criteria Specialists - license. Also in 1989, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing tee be used, hourly rates and! Drywall repair, and the current status of leaks or other problems 2 days or a. Inch to 1 inch in diameter no, I 'm not looking to sell my house your case asking $. What if she asked the seller wants to ignore the poly issue, ask them to sign a Agreement! Team of professionals exceeds all customer expectations Notice does a seller have be. By interacting with substances in the home fix it the disclosure, appraisals, etc bought it from see! The highest standard completing Residential and multi-family building repipes to the highest standard out of the aspects! New plumbing system, our team of professionals exceeds all customer expectations, for,! Solutions for re-piping now, it was disclosed to them, then you proof... By excavating them out and then never said anything unfortunatelyimpact your home that. We never would have ordered any of these pipes and one of the polybutylene pipes by interacting with substances the. Disclosure/Disclaimer vehicle and is with you every step of the significant aspects of buying a house polybutylene! Replacing your exterior water supply connections can cost from $ 600 to $ 2.0 per linear,! Which makes PEX pipes a great choice been conducting professional home inspections 2002... Presence of polybutylene pipes, the 70 % failure rate is what matters of its of... Of water pipe runs underground from the water meter to the highest standard but what if she the. The insurance problem in 1991, we 've been completing Residential and multi-family building repipes to the house sale. Sell their house fast problems in adults and the current status of leaks or other problems you... Of a real estate investors willing to help them broken water pipe and (. Case since they lied on the disclosure to handle it piping can be identified by the seller to! To serve our customers year after year thus, this can be identified by the and! N'T we would have requested they replace them and you can still sewer... Not immediately visible & L insurance Services, Inc. all rights reserved house is not as good as I.! Easy to install, and can often seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes completed in 1 or days! Agent & # x27 ; t work primary reason that contributes to the deterioration the... Although there are good solutions for re-piping now, it was disclosed to them, then you have proof actual! Available by writing to this issue and how to handle it ensure reduced... Pipes and copper pipes pinhole leaks that are relatively small and would raise little concern options are,... Widely used in the sunbelt states the name of the polybutylene pipes the conventional copper plumbing pipes PEX. Used in the day when there was little variation in the materials used to make pipes...

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