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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

3 Reasons to Replace Polybutylene Pipes

7/19/2018 (Permalink)

Broken Pipe in the West Bank of New Orleans.

Polybutylene pipes were a popular plumbing solution from the 1970s through the 1990s. In fact, millions of buildings had them installed during this time. Unfortunately, they’ve since been shown to be unreliable and prone to leaks and failure. If your West Bank, LA, business is in a building with this type of plumbing, there are a few reasons you should consider replacing it.

1. It’s a Matter of Time

When this piping was first unveiled in the 1970s, it was seen as the future of plumbing. The plastic resin pipes are lower cost and easier to install compared to traditional copper pipes. Over time, however, the plastic degrades, which makes it prone to cracks. Leaks can be extremely costly to businesses, as water damage leads to lost work time and possible closures.

2. It Isn’t Up to Code

There are no regulations that mandate the replacement of polybutylene piping. Still, because there have been so many issues, it is no longer accepted by building codes in the United States and Canada. If it is not good enough for today’s building codes, it might be a good idea to replace the plastic pipes.

3. It Can Fail for Multiple Reasons

While there is not a confirmed scientific reason for the massive failure of these pipes, there are a couple of possibilities. The first is that the chemicals used to treat water in the United States, such as chlorine, degrade the plumbing over time. Some people also attribute the failure to faulty installation, but this cannot be accurately assessed without looking at the entire system.

If your business has polybutylene pipes, it may only be a matter of time before leaks start. A licensed plumbing expert can evaluate the age, material and quality of your building’s pipes. Replacing the pipes with a more reliable solution can save your business time and money in the long run.

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