Polybutylene (PB) piping was standard in homes built between 1978 and 1996. Learn about them in the next section of this article. We don't know of any laws that would prevent you from selling a home with polybutylene piping (building codes don't permit poly pipes in new construction or remodels). In that case, you might start freaking out about what to do next because, as we have already discussed above, there are some significant downsides to polybutylene pipes. Look for online reviews and go to BBB.com to see if there are unresolved complaints lodged against them with the Better Business Bureau. Heres links to a collection of our other blog posts about PLUMBING PIPES: How can I protect my pipes to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Florida? Mandatory disclosure (M) of pipe material (lead not specifically addressed) or lead pipes if seller determines conditions unsafe (Example: State-required form asks, "Type of plumbing system: Copper/Galvanized/Plastic/ Polybutylene./Unknown/ Other") Wisconsin Voluntary disclosure (V) of lead pipes houses Also, if your home is listed in MLS, the local Multiple Listing Service may require square footage disclosure and . When it comes to removing polybutylene and installing a new plumbing system, our team of professionals exceeds all customer expectations. Buyers, when faced with a home with polybutylene piping have the choice of the following: Asking if the seller plans to replace the current piping with copper or; If However, Re-piping is a long process that can go on for a few weeks and will also cause a lot of mess around the house, and no one wants to deal with the mess after just having moved into their new home. Some residential insurance policies won't cover damage from poly-pipe failures. 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. Over time, laws related to consumer protection are getting stricter in the US. Which Way to Go when Selling a Home with Polybutylene Pipes? Evidence of that can prove that your seller is liable includes: Timeline testimony from your contractor Lately, we've seen a spike of homeowners contacting us - when their insurance company imposed rate increases and/or applied exclusions of leak coverage, even when there had been no claims or poly pipe leaks. Check our price for ateam inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. For more information, please see our 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. You may have seen examples of this on television. Asking if the seller plans to replace the current piping with copper or; Asking for a reduction in price that will cover a copper piping replacement once the home is purchased or: Looking at a home copper or up to code piping already in place. How can I tell what type of plumbing pipe I have? With new flex line water-supply tubes and push-on valves, you can change the water-supply lines to a toilet or faucet in minutes. Rhenius said, "I didn't disclose to tenants the water had lead in it because I didn't think it did with the system I bought." The house was sold in August for $477,500, according to . The insurance agent gave me the quote without the pipe information and it was way too high so I forgot about the pipe question until now. Any other advice about this issue and how to handle it? I don't know how anyone can buy a house unaware of PB piping. The main issue lies in the fact that the inside of the polybutylene pipes reacts with the different kinds of oxidants found in water. Buy a new build with 10 year warranty. However, in some states, residential property disclosure forms have to be utilized when selling their home. Not sure a home has poly? 16822 SE 92nd Danna Avenue, The Villages, FL 32162, www.thevillagesbestinspector.com Comments or questions [email protected], While we hope you find this series of articles about home inspection helpful, they should not be considered an alternative to an actual home inspection by a local inspector. You should understand that repiping in copper, or copper and CPVC is going to be expensive, and estimates are going to vary, so taking off a large chunk of the purchase price of a home may not cover the expense or the hassle. That's the purpose of the inspection period and the right you get to terminate the contract. The Solution: A. These pipes were last used in new construction in the mid 90s and are now around 20 years old. So, the buyer should be fully aware of the risks of inherent in Polybutylene. to learn more. PB-1, when applied as a pure or reinforced resin, can replace materials like metal, rubber and engineering polymers. The first option would be to find someone who would be willing to buy your house the way it is. What you are complaining about is the process working. (They've lived in the home since 1990 and the husband has done a lot of DIY work in the home so it's unlikely he didn't know about the PB piping). The polybutylene pipes should have come to light during the home inspection or as part of seller . Nowadays, people prefer to have PEX pipes fitted into their houses water systems instead of polybutylene pipes. The form's name, length, and required information vary by state . Here at Repipe Specialists, ourrepiping services utilize only made-in-the-USA high quality copper (Grade L) or Uponor PEX tubing. Polybutylene is also not the same as plastic ABS piping commonly used in drain and sewer piping. Well, you can. Can I Sell My House with a Property, State or IRS Tax Lien? Additionally, it has become very common for sellers to either make concessions for a buyer to re-pipe after closing or to re-pipe the home themselves before the sale. Note: If a home is listed on the MLS (the local Multiple. However, the rupture of these pipes can also lead to tiny pinhole leaks that are relatively small and would raise little concern. Simply use the form on HouseCashin.com to request a no-obligation cash offer on your property. Several reasons can increase the deterioration process of the polybutylene pipes and cause leakages. Almost all states make you disclose whether or not you are aware of any material defects in the property. Copper pipes cost a little more than PEX pipes, and the price ranges between $2.50 and $3.50 per linear foot. Your second choice would be to replace any polybutylene pipes in your property and sell it the traditional way. Manufacturers stopped producing PB-pipe . It is estimated that a lot of homes built during that time still have the original plumbing in place. Within 10 years or less, homeowners started witnessing leaking or burst pipes and sometimes catastrophic damage from them. Your agent is not liable at this point since home inspection did what it was supposed to do: discover defects and needed repairs. Many homeowners prefer this method because it can save them money. The plumber will also help you identify any potential threats and risks the polybutylene pipes pose to the house. Suppose youve just bought a house or rented one, and after some inspection, you find out that the housing has polybutylene pipes. Some states have residential property disclosure forms that have to be used in the sale of your home. Since our founding in 1991, we've been completing residential and multi-family building repipes to the highest standard. Does a repipe include drain pipes? Here's what the law requires on a seller's disclosure in Wyoming. Remember, you cant tell what the inside of the pipe looks like. So, it is recommended to discuss the option of re-piping with the seller and get it done before moving into your new home. investing << Does a home inspector look for code violations? Polybutylene pipes were manufactured from 1978 - 1995. In the case of polybutylene pipes, the 70% failure rate is what matters. Most of our repipes fall somewhere between $4,500 and $15,000. However, many insurance companies do not cover the damages caused to homes due to natural disasters or fires with 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. 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. Why can't a sanitary tee be used for a horizontal-to-horizontal drain pipe connection? B. May be used as supply lines to plumbing fixtures or . Does polybutylene need to be replaced . We've even seen sales fall through, when homeowners didn't know they had poly plumbing, but it was found during inspection. Polybutylene pipes are difficult to identify. Polybutylene pipe is a gray plastic tubing that was commonly used as a water-supply plumbing pipe between 1978 and 1995, at which time it was discontinued due to reports of pipes rupturing. You can sell your house fast and for cash to an investor. Almost all real estate listing agents require the seller to disclose the use of polybutylene pipes in the property. The most common questions are about disclosure requirements and your responsibilities to your client regarding Kitec and polybutylene. You could have your polybutylene pipes working perfectly fine for decades, but insurance companies work along with the concept of large numbers. This can be a good idea if you have made up your mind about purchasing the house because it is better to get the re-piping done before moving into the home. Has your homeowners' insurance company declined to renew your policy, because of those gray pipes you've been living with just fine for years? Contact us to have one of our local estimators provide a free consultation and quote, delivered in-home or remotely. Or you could wait longer and say goodbye to your earnest money too. Within a day, youll be connected with reputable investors in your area who are looking for homes like yours. What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe? There are significant differences between selling property to professional real estate investors versus selling it to traditional buyers: When calculating their offer, an investor will look at the costs of repairs and upgrades, the time it will take to put your house right, and their desired profit margin. Facts vs. Fiction 6. In this article, we will be explaining what exactly is wrong with the old-fashioned polybutylene pipes in your home, as well as helpful information on how to replace them. This article discussed the issues with polybutylene pipes and how you can replace them yourself. What are the abandoned pipes sticking out of the wall in my house? One of the most important things that need to be considered is the plumbing within the house. Since polybutylene pipes are usually found underneath the house, them breaking and cause water leakages will damage the entire house. Seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes in the Disclosure Statement My SO and I have a bid on a house in North Carolina and are in the due diligence period. However, you cant repair polybutylene pipes because these pipes production ceased quite a long time ago. This means that a buyer would need to have the financial ability to buy the home and then make repairs. Definitely negotiate to get them replaced if it's city water. Although, today, one of the most popular water pipes is PEX pipes. It would be best to select the right contractor for the job. What causes a gurgling sound when a bathtub or sink drains? Polybutylene is practically guaranteed to break down at some point, and it's impossible to tell how soon that will be just by observing a pipe's exterior. Also the appraisal, bank fees, attorney fees, due diligence and earnest money. Owners of these homes are playing musical chairs, waiting for their turn to have to deal with problems caused by polybutylene plumbing. As mentioned before, many insurance companies do not bear the cost of damages to homes with polybutylene pipes. With over 20+ years of experience in real estate investment and renovation, Brian Robbins brings extensive knowledge and innovative solutions to the HouseCashin team. You will need to excavate them for examination. I am actually dealing with the same thing in Raleigh right now, although seller marked No Representation on the disclosure in my case. Along with durability, these pipes are also heat resistant which makes PEX pipes a great choice. 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