How can I tell what type of plumbing pipe I have? Minerals in the water, particularly chlorine that was used for purification reacted poorly with the pipes. 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. No, I'm not looking to sell my house fast. In conclusion, polybutylene pipes are. I think you are correct to worry about it, and if she has those pipes in her house she's in denial that it won't impact her ability to sell at some point or cause her expensive repairs. The contractor will repair and repaint those sections before finishing the job. landlord You could have your polybutylene pipes working perfectly fine for decades, but insurance companies work along with the concept of large numbers. Buy a new build with 10 year warranty. We would have requested they replace them and if they didn't we would have walked away early in the process. Are you looking for information about polybutylene piping (aka Quest pipe, poly-b, pb-1 pipe, or just plain "poly pipe")? I've never heard of anyone spending $3000.00 on an inspection. Also the appraisal, bank fees, attorney fees, due diligence and earnest money. It's money well spent if it saves you a $20,000 bill. Polybutylene pipes fall under the category of a material defect, and almost all states make you disclose any information related to a property defect. Within 10 years or less, homeowners started witnessing leaking or burst pipes and sometimes catastrophic damage from them. These minerals are a primary reason that contributes to the deterioration of the polybutylene pipes. home buying In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX. Of course, individual homeowners didnt know that. Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? Polybutylene pipes are a significant inconvenience for plumbers because these pipes cracks and leakages are not easy to find. They buy houses for cash so that they dont depend on a lenders approval of their loan, unlike most buyers. Then you will just need to choose the best one. "Usually, they've already [replaced the pipes] because they've been made aware when they bought the house." https://www.polybutylene.com/realtor.html. Some residential insurance policies won't cover damage from poly-pipe failures. Which Way to Go when Selling a Home with Polybutylene Pipes? What they do is they buy the property, which they can upgrade, make the required repairs, and then sell the homes making good profits on their investments. Why is it a problem? The average cost to replumb a house will vary between $5,000 to $7,000. Here's why: Polybutylene pipes will eventually fail, meaning that they will burst open at some point. Polybutylene plumbing is bad because it breaks off into the water supply. 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. Regarding the first option, the question arises: who would be interested in buying a house with polybutylene pipes? Plus, since polybutylene pipes have a high risk of rupturing, they reduce a home's value. . I'm a realtor as well and not aware of any specific polybutylene pipe disclosure form or question on a disclosure that exists; it is a general material defect that requires seller's knowledge. Another option is to replace polybutylene pipes with copper pipes. Since every individuals situation is unique, a qualified professional should be consulted before making financial decisions. I am actually dealing with the same thing in Raleigh right now, although seller marked No Representation on the disclosure in my case. Interior pipes are white and can be confused for other types of piping. They work with property values in your area every day. Do you have to disclose polybutylene pipes to a homebuyer? real estate Honestly, I don't think that the sellers were being dishonest or intentionally with holding the fact that the pipes are polybutylene. However, polybutylene pipes have since proven too fragile to withstand chemicals found in the public water supply. Our expertise shows in every repipe we do and is with you every step of the way. The pipes would have to be removed and examined. 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 Polybutylene pipes are difficult to identify. (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). Over 8,500 inspections completed in 20+ years. To keep going forward I'd thought about negotiating back down to there list and put 20k in escrow to cover the replacement. When it comes to selling a house with polybutylene pipes, it can be quite a challenge. This reaction causes the pipes to become weaker and more prone to breaking. What does polybutylene pipe look like? There are many different water pipes available on the market that you can purchase to replace polybutylene pipes. A little about the house its a 3200 Sq ft house with 3 bathrooms which I offered 600k for and they listed for 550k. How can I tell if I have cast iron pipes in my house? Is a washing machine drain hose required to be secured at the standpipe? If the seller chooses not to replace the polybutylene pipes, give them a release agreement to sign that protects you from all potential liability. 0 found this answer helpful | 0 lawyers agree Helpful Unhelpful Therefore, having knowledge about polybutylene pipes and ensuring that you appropriately deal with them is very important. Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) is basically a plastic material used to make pipes for water systems in our houses. and When was polybutylene pipe banned? 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. Even if there is no doubt about what type of pipes you have, the condition cannot be determined by looking at the outside of the pipe. The seller's disclosure statement matters to potential buyers, so you should be honest about lead, pests, repairs, and more. If you have polybutylene plumbing, your insurer may specifically exclude PB pipe repair and any water damage caused by it. Why can't a sanitary tee be used for a horizontal-to-horizontal drain pipe connection? It is estimated that a lot of homes built during that time still have the original plumbing in place. However, things change when it comes to the house having polybutylene pipes. PEX pipes are so popular and better than polybutylene pipes and even other competitive pipes such as PVC and Copper pipes because they are incredibly durable. To find a minuscule crack in the polybutylene pipes, one would need a very efficient plumber, and even then, it would be not easy to identify. What is Polybutylene Pipe? If you have both the money and the time to make repairs and market your home to the general public, that could be your best choice. Unfortunately, if you still have poly plumbing, and did not participate in prior polybutylene class-actions, your legal options are likely very limited. 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. Insurance companies dont look at these on a case-by-case basis. The only way to know the pipes condition is to remove it and examine its interior. First of all, yes, you can sell your home with polybutylene water pipes. Polybutylene pipe health risks and product failures led to a successful class-action lawsuit in 1995. This originally came from the court case of Johnson v. Davis, 480 So.2d 625 (Fla. 1985). 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). However, other options are available, such as CPVC pipes and copper pipes. Polybutylene pipes were manufactured from 1978 - 1995. Disclaimer: we aren't lawyers, and aren't providing any legal advice here. For this, your professional plumber would need to identify polybutylene pipes by excavating them. 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 . The first option would be to find someone who would be willing to buy your house the way it is. Real estate investors are exactly this type of buyer. Many of them specifically require you to disclose whether or not you are aware of polybutylene piping on your property. 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 . Which water pipes are an insurance problem and possibly uninsurable? PEX pipes last a very long time, and over the years, people have faced little to no issues with these pipes becoming fragile, breaking, and leaking. 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 damage caused by a polybutylene leak can easily exceed the costs of a whole-home repipe; without even counting the costs of successive plumbing repairs. if the sellers had disclosed the pipe material in the beginning. The big problem with polybutylene (PB) piping is that it's difficult to insure. Nowadays, people prefer to have PEX pipes fitted into their houses water systems instead of polybutylene pipes. How do you accurately find a broken water pipe leak under the floor slab? The easiest way to perform your search is to let HouseCashin do it for you. . 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. 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. Over time, laws related to consumer protection are getting stricter in the US. In the case of polybutylene pipes, the 70% failure rate is what matters. If they don't agree, though, we are going to have to walk away. They may pass on making the loan altogether. It also said check all that apply. Sec 5.008 of the Texas Property Code is below. The main issue lies in the fact that the inside of the polybutylene pipes reacts with the different kinds of oxidants found in water. Members of the general public who are working with a broker will be looking at multiple properties. Can galvanized steel pipe still be used for new water lines in a house? Can You Sell a House with Polybutylene Pipes? 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. Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the sink? The plumber will also help you identify any potential threats and risks the polybutylene pipes pose to the house. How can I tell what type of plumbing pipe I have? << Does a home inspector look for code violations? We have already researched and vetted the top real estate investors from across the industry. Seriously. If you are purchasing a home, you likely have some homeowner insurance covering the houses cost of damages. And again, in 1989. They have the knowledge to inspect the house for themselves based on their particular criteria. What kind of inspections are you having done? 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. Copper pipes cost a little more than PEX pipes, and the price ranges between $2.50 and $3.50 per linear foot. I have inspection contingency so I have the option of walking away. Only a licensed plumber can tell the polybutylene pipes health and estimate how long these will last without risking the house and its structural integrity. Polybutylene (PB) piping was standard in homes built between 1978 and 1996. But I'm not sure how we could find that out. Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? 3. If the seller or the home inspector fail to mention that your home has polybutylene plastic water supply lines and crimped fittings you may be able to collect money as part of a class action lawsuit. In reality, getting polybutylene pipes replaced does not cost more than, for example, recarpeting your home would cost you. Can I Sell My House with a Property, State or IRS Tax Lien? Contact us by phone or email with any questions, or to schedule a no-obligation in-home (or remote) consultation with one of our Estimators. 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. We offer no interest for 12 months if paid in full. Polybutylene pipes cause uncertainty for the buyers as these pipes problems are not immediately visible. This was dismissed in 2018 "with prejudice", meaning it can't be refiled. However, this is entirely false. In this case, some buyers might demand you to replace the existing polybutylene pipes, and some might ask for a reduction in price so they can re-pipe the home after theyve bought it. Polybutylene is a type of plastic potable water plumbing commonly found in many US homes built from the late 1970's through to the mid-1990's. Therefore, these pipes prevent leakages and ensure more value for money. Does a repipe include drain pipes? How would your realtor know that if it was mistakenly checked on the disclosure. 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. Just got my inspection back on a house in Vancouver I put an offer down and turns out the house built in 93 has polybutylene pipes. Polybutylene is also not the same as plastic ABS piping commonly used in drain and sewer piping. Polybutylene is a form of plastic pipe used in residential plumbing until the late-1990s. Pests. If you've had the misfortune of having your polybutylene plumbing fail, you have to choose whether to fix just the leaking section of piping, or repipe your entire home. The square footage of your home (but if you do disclose, you are liable for the accuracy of the square footage). Click here for more information. All I can really say is good luck! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Why is polybutylene piping bad? 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. Call today at 954-734-7429 or 1-888-8-Insurance. Also, construction methods and materials vary in different parts of the country and it is possible that important issues related to your area may not be covered here. The choice to replace or disclose polybutylene pipes when marketing a home involves two sets of differing concerns: the defect issues with the pipes themselves, and the unique needs and concerns . 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