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. Suppose youve just bought a house or rented one, and after some inspection, you find out that the housing has polybutylene pipes. Therefore, unfortunately, getting the polybutylene pipes in your house fixed or exchanged is no option. (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). Has your homeowners' insurance company declined to renew your policy, because of those gray pipes you've been living with just fine for years? What causes a gurgling sound when a bathtub or sink drains? Call our residential repipe division to schedule a free estimate for your home: Or visit our regular residential repipe site to learn more: Repipe Specialists - USA245 E Olive Ave #500Burbank, CA91502. even obtaining homeowners insurance even if the pipes don't cause any problems because there is such a stigma against these particular pipes. However, the seller must be truthful if asked, unless state law allows them to say that they don't wish to answer. 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. Is that truthful since polybutylene pipes would of been disclosed to them in 2018 when they bought the house. houses We've spent $3000 on all the inspections and might have to add more to that for bank and attorney's fees (not sure yet about how much that would add). In a hurry? 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. Along with his passion for real estate, Brian brings with him a deep understanding of real estate risks and financing. Historically, there has been debate about why poly-pipes have failed. Most of these forms require the seller to disclose information related to polybutylene pipes. Certain regions have unique disclosure issues. We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. They suggest the sellers either bring the market price of the house down such that the buyer could make the necessary replacement or replace the system on their own with copper pipes. 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. Must have picked a poor agent and a poor home inspector, or gone carelessly without either. To maximize the value you get from the sale of your property to an investor, consider requesting a cash offer from HouseCashin. first time homebuyer, Press J to jump to the feed. 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. Either copper pipe or PEX tubing are suitable repipe materials, but we find the vast majority of our customers replace their poly pipes with PEX tubing. We completed all our inspections (structural, septic, water, pest, home), the bank ordered the appraisal, the Realtor hired the attorney. Our home inspection report just came back and it says the 1990 house has polybutylene pipes. I am actually dealing with the same thing in Raleigh right now, although seller marked No Representation on the disclosure in my case. 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. Our Realtor says she has the polybutylene pipes in her house and has never had a problem so we shouldn't worry about it. 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. And again, in 1989. It is now mainly an academic exercise determining why a specific system failed and/or if an existing poly-b system may fail in the future. What are the abandoned pipes sticking out of the wall in my house? The seller may not want to take the home off the market to have the work done, which includes ripping out a lot of drywall, and there are a lot of properties with this kind of problem. Moreover, insurance professionals cannot be sure whether the pipes in your home are good or bad. 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. In this article, I will tell you what must be done to sell yours. Enter a valid a 10-digit phone number as ###-###-####. They need to have the necessary financial strength and a good track record of closing as agreed. If you are purchasing a home, you likely have some homeowner insurance covering the houses cost of damages. If you have time to sell but you dont have the funds to make the needed repairs, you will probably want to consider selling to an investor. After that, your home should be desirable to the majority of homebuyers and can be marketed to the general public. Polybutylene is a form of plastic pipe used in residential plumbing until the late-1990s. forbearance The second option would be to fix the issue related to the polybutylene pipes yourself and then put your home on the market. and When was polybutylene pipe banned? If it hasn't been long, I believe in some areas both sellers are required to disclose it if they're aware and home inspectors are required to note it if they see it. The contractor will repair and repaint those sections before finishing the job. Locating and working on existing pipes requires cutting holes in your walls. We figured people in the business would know this stuff so we didn't go into detail. In the meantime, leaks and water damage can result in mold growth and unhealthy conditions in your home. You should discuss with them the different kinds of pipes available and the cost of each. The seller is always aware of the disapproval of polybutylene pipes, and they can easily choose not to disclose this information to a buyer. She wants her X-thousand(s) of dollars from you and that's her priority. Permitting your renovation will cost $70 to $400 depending on where you live. In the case of polybutylene pipes, the 70% failure rate is what matters. Sellers must also disclose polybutylene pipes to buyers when they sell their home. 1991 - document.getElementById('copy-current-year').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())). Look around your water heater, pipes in attics or crawl spaces, piping across the ceilings of basements, and supply lines under sinks in cabinets. We never would have ordered any of these inspections, appraisals, etc. If you decide to replace Polybutylene pipes in your home, that is good. Since every individuals situation is unique, a qualified professional should be consulted before making financial decisions. Note: If a home is listed on the MLS (the local Multiple. The second option will take more time and money but it may result in a higher price for your home. Lets start by looking at 2 available choices for preparing, marketing, and selling a home with polybutylene pipes. Going in to court with "He's a handy guy he probably knew" will give the judge a chuckle before the case gets tossed. 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. I've never heard of anyone spending $3000.00 on an inspection. You will have to spend a lot of time, money, and energy trying to repair the pipes. How can I tell what type of plumbing pipe I have? Houses are expensive things to own and unexpected bills can come up at any time. 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. Mold can cause respiratory problems in adults and the development of asthma in children. The most significant historical litigation was the Cox v. Shell Oil class-action lawsuit, culminating in close to a billion dollar settlement in 1995, being paid out to thousands of homeowners over subsequent years. Polybutylene plumbing is bad because it breaks off into the water supply. If you suspect you have poly pipes, but aren't sure - you cancontact us for a free consult, and one of our local estimators would be happy to assist. The polybutylene pipes should have come to light during the home inspection or as part of seller . Unfortunately, if you still have poly plumbing, and did not participate in prior polybutylene class-actions, your legal options are likely very limited. Polybutylene (PB) is a plastic used for piping in home plumbing systems that were manufactured between 1978 and mid-1995. 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. Simply use the form on HouseCashin.com to request a no-obligation cash offer on your property. Posts: 9,889. real estate 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; Members of the general public who are working with a broker will be looking at multiple properties. It's money well spent if it saves you a $20,000 bill. Push-on shut-off valves are a good option for this repair, also. No, I'm not looking to sell my house fast. In your case asking for $50k discount plus $20k probably wouldn't work. Polybutylene pipes cause uncertainty for the buyers as these pipes problems are not immediately visible. Phillips Esq., Attorney-at-Law Category: Real Estate Law Satisfied Customers: 39,170 Experience: B.A. There is no marketing time at all. They would need to be comfortable with buying a property that may need extensive work to replace the pipes and repair any damage. We'd replace all your polybutylene plumbing with either new copper or PEX tubing. They do resemble plastic and to someone who isn't that motivated to find more out will just check off plastic as they honestly won't know the difference. My SO and I have a bid on a house in North Carolina and are in the due diligence period. Pests. By that time millions of homes had already been built using these pipes. Since this is probably unfamiliar territory for you, you will need to be prepared to spend a lot of time searching on the Internet. The time that this will take from the initial inspection to the close of the sale of your home will probably range from 3 to 4 months. See our blog posts What does polybutylene pipe look like? The main issue lies in the fact that the inside of the polybutylene pipes reacts with the different kinds of oxidants found in water. Call 800-216-0132 to schedule an estimate. Better, but not a total solution. Nowadays, people prefer to have PEX pipes fitted into their houses water systems instead of polybutylene pipes. Polybutylene pipes would qualify as a material defect. If you are a seller, you should disclose all known conditions that the buyers need to know about the property including the likelihood of leaky pipes. Also the pipes were not disclosed by the seller. Manufacturers stopped producing PB-pipe . Initially, contractors installed around 10 million polybutylene pipes in homes in the US. Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? If you find the tell-tale gray tubing, look for the code "PB2110" printed on it. Now, the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes fail; the problem is that they fail more than any other type of plumbing. What about polybutylene ("poly") pipes - are sellers/agents required to disclose? The realtor actually removed all the copper piping to scrap for meth money, and replaced it all with polybutylene piping. loan However, you cant repair polybutylene pipes because these pipes production ceased quite a long time ago. McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of, site-built, mobile/manfuactured and modular homes. If you think you may have a problem of this type, talk immediately to your insurance agent. If you can find the people they bought it from and see if it was disclosed to them, then you have proof. They seemed to be a perfect material for plumbing pipes because they were inexpensive and held up well under high water pressures. Now that you know the years that piping was used and maybe even what it looks like, you're an educated buyer who will know to ask that question and check it out for yourself before spending money on another inspection. What is the difference between water service pipe and water supply pipe? If all the plumbing drains have water in them and you can still smell sewer gas, what's causing the problem? However, this is entirely false. Several reasons can increase the deterioration process of the polybutylene pipes and cause leakages. Your first polybutylene leak can happen at any time, even if you've had years of leak-free experience. Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? Looking for your dream house can be difficult; finding a home that you like and a place that has exactly what youve been looking for can be challenging and time-consuming as well. But I'm not sure how we could find that out. Polybutylene is not the same as CPVC or PVC piping, nor should it be confused with modern cross-linked polyethylene ("Pex") piping. Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the sink? These pipes were last used in new construction in the mid 90s and are now around 20 years old. The primary manufacturers of the pipe were Shell Chemical Company, Qest (pronounced "quest"), and Vanguard. Another option is to replace polybutylene pipes with copper pipes. Therefore, it is essential to keep this in mind before buying a house with polybutylene pipes. If you're still not sure, call us. If you are the listing broker and you or your seller knows the property has polybutylene or Kitec plumbing systems, it's pretty obvious - you must disclose the fact to the buyer just as you are required to . Can You Get Home Insurance With Polybutylene Pipes? Most states have stricter . Because polybutylene pipes will fail, it's just a matter of when it will happen. 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. 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). Why is it a problem? 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. 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. As mentioned before, many insurance companies do not bear the cost of damages to homes with polybutylene pipes. How can I protect my pipes to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Florida? Even home inspectors cant tell you how far along the damage has progressed. In this case, real estate investors would be your best bet as they are the ones looking for homeowners selling homes in poor conditions. Well, you can. Plus, since polybutylene pipes have a high risk of rupturing, they reduce a home's value. In conclusion, polybutylene pipes are. lending to learn more. Then you will just need to choose the best one. Research suggests that polybutylene pipes are prone to becoming brittle and cracking inside out, eventually leading to leakage. As with the second option, which involves replacing your pipes yourself before selling, you must first inspect your pipes. Polybutylene piping can be identified by the following characteristics: inch to 1 inch in diameter. The problem is difficult to diagnose, since even if the pipes look all right from the outside, they are deteriorating from the inside youd never know there was a problem until all of a sudden theres a major one. 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. Compared to copper, it was inexpensive, easy to install, and had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from freezing. Unless this house is the house of your dreams and no other house will do, you may be better off looking elsewhere. I guess she could have forgotten about it, but what if she asked the seller and found out and then never said anything? Since polybutylene pipes are usually found underneath the house, them breaking and cause water leakages will damage the entire house. In order to know for certain if you have polybutylene pipes in your home, and their condition, you will need to hire a professional plumber. Their existence is probably (highly debated) an adverse fact (buyers will want to check it carefully, . In summary: if you've actually experienced a poly pipe leak - the best option is unquestionably to do a complete, whole-home repipe. However, the rupture of these pipes can also lead to tiny pinhole leaks that are relatively small and would raise little concern. First of all, yes, you can sell your home with polybutylene water pipes. 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. As weve mentioned, the uncertainty of buying a home that has polybutylene pipes creates a scary situation for most homebuyers. With over 60,000 repipes completed, we've perfected ourOne Stop Repipe process: providing you with a high quality and convenient repipe experience while offering significant savings compared to traditional plumbers - plus, our work is guaranteed for life. 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. How to Buy Your First Rental Property for Investment (Step-by-Step Guide), How to Find a Real Estate Investing Mentor, Residential Rental Property Due Diligence Checklist Template (Free PDF Download), 7 Best Ways of Generating Motivated Home Seller Leads for Real Estate Investors, ABCs of Buying and Financing Multiple Rental Investment Properties, 7 Best Ways How to Find Real Estate Property Wholesalers in Your Area, ABCs of Self-Directed 401k Real Estate Investing in 2023. The problem was that these pipes shortly began to fail in astounding numbers. The tubing is typically 1/2" to 1" in diameter and is flexible. Interior pipes ruptured inside the walls. 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. Can You Sell a House With Polybutylene Pipes? We offer no interest for 12 months if paid in full. Any other advice about this issue and how to handle it? The average cost to replumb a house will vary between $5,000 to $7,000. The price of PEX pipes ranges between $0.40 to $2.0 per linear foot, depending on the diameter of the pipe. Look for reviews online on sites like Facebook, Google, and Yelp. If the seller chooses not to replace the polybutylene pipes, give them a release agreement to sign that protects you from all potential liability. Builders responded by updatingPB piping systems in 1983. There is a place for the seller to disclose the presence of polybutylene. The damage starts on the inside of the pipes. Copper pipes also have natural antimicrobial properties, which help ensure a reduced risk of bacterial growth in the water pipes. We perform many polybutylene repipe quotes for sellers planning a sale - or even for buyers, who want to factor repipe costs into their offers: even when there has been no history of PB pipe failures. In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX. Evidence of that can prove that your seller is liable includes: Timeline testimony from your contractor The easiest way to perform your search is to let HouseCashin do it for you. When you sell directly to an investor, you dont have the. Here are some facts you should note: (1) a broker was sued in Virginia for not disclosing the fact that a home had polybutylene plumbing, (2) a property management firm is being sued for non-disclosure in the condo resale certificates, and (3) an inspection company was sued for failing to disclose poly in a hotel property. . Initially, polybutylene pipes were popular because they were: Inexpensive Flexible Easy to install If you have polybutylene plumbing, your insurer may specifically exclude PB pipe repair and any water damage caused by it. Learn about them in the next section of this article. How can I find out what type of water pipe runs underground from the water meter to the house (service pipe)? However, in mid-1966, manufacturers ceased production due to allegations claiming that polybutylene pipe failures caused property damage. Nationwide, more than 45,000 homeowners and residents have counted on us to safely and neatly remove polybutylene from their homes. Over 8,500 inspections completed in 20+ years. Still, one thing is for sure: insurance companies will not provide coverage for a house with polybutylene pipes. What can you do if you buy a home and later discover something was omitted from seller disclosure? With over 20+ years of experience in real estate investment and renovation, Brian Robbins brings extensive knowledge and innovative solutions to the HouseCashin team. Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the sink? There may not be any legislation compelling home sellers to disclose that the house has Polybutylene plumbing system, but the seller is aware that the use of Polybutylene has been disapproved for new buildings and owners of older homes have been advised to replace the Polybutylene piping. The options on the "what kind of material are the pipes made of" included "plastic" and "polybutylene" and said check all that apply. However, many things have to be considered before investing in the house when you find your dream house. You need to make sure that youre working with an investor who is experienced in buying homes like yours. 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. The insurance usually covers the cost of damages to the home, but not damages caused by natural disasters or fires if they have polybutylene pipes. It also said check all that apply. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Polybutylene pipe health risks and product failures led to a successful class-action lawsuit in 1995. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybutylene. But read the fine print: If a buyer asks, this same statute requires the seller to disclose any death on the property more than 3 years old. What is the difference between water service pipe and water supply pipe? Also in 1989, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing. Most insurance companies will outright decline to insure a home with PB-pipe because of its history of failure. Once your pipes have been identified as being made of polybutylene, you can begin to replace all the pipes with good ones. I'm willing to keep going if they will cover the cost of repairs to replace them since the pipes are a ticking time bomb and most insurance won't cover you if you knew they were poly pipes. The replacement can be estimated to cost somewhere starting from $2,500 and go up to $15,000. 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. Would we have a case since they lied on the disclosure? They were often sold under the brand name Quest, and can be referred to with a variety of terms; including PB, PB-1, poly-pipes, or poly-b pipe. If the seller chooses not to replace the polybutylene pipes, give them a release agreement to sign that protects you from all potential liability. Another significant aspect of buying a house with polybutylene pipes is the insurance problem that might come along with it. 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. Eventually, this could make them liable for lawsuits from their buyer. More information about the settlement is available at www.SpencerClass.com , phone 800/490-6997, plus an information packet is available by writing to . This means that you dont have to wait to find out if your buyer can get their final loan approval. Polybutylene pipes fall under the category of a material defect, and almost all states make you disclose any information related to a property defect. When this happens, weakened pipes will rupture. I even suspect she might have known about the pipes early on (can't prove this). For more information, please see our However, if you know you have poly plumbing - you will most likely need to disclose that fact. Almost all real estate listing agents require the seller to disclose the use of polybutylene pipes in the property. Many homeowners prefer this method because it can save them money. They were installed in almost 10 million homes at a substantial savings over the conventional copper plumbing pipes. Others follow long term investing strategies. They can also be flexible in setting a closing date that fits your needs. In the US, it has become generally accepted that the failures are most likely due to chemicals in municipal water supplies reacting with polybutylene - and this is one of the primary reasons why homeowners won a largeclass-action lawsuit against Shell Oil (who manufactured and marketed the polybutylene resin). If the seller discloses this up front, the buyer can not request the replacement of the pipes if they wait to make an issue of it until the Inspection Period even though it is considered a defective product. Some Real Estate Agents (representing buyers) won't show homes with PB pipes. Get quotes and review them for completeness. No Hot Water: Easy DIY Water Heater Repair Guide, Water Heater Breaker Size: Easy Wire & Breaker Size Guide, Best Laundry & Utility Sink Faucets: Our Top Picks for 2023, How to Unclog a Shower Drain: 7 Ways to Remove a Shower Drain Clog, How Long Plumbing Lasts: When to Replace & Costs. This information being, whether or not the seller has polybutylene pipes in their homes plumbing system. However, being a seller, you should disclose all the necessary information about the house, including polybutylene pipes. You dont have to wait to find out if your home appraised successfully or if the lender will even accept your property. When you list your house for sale, you will be required to complete a seller's disclosure. Mortgage lenders will not lend money on a property based on its estimated value that the house will have after repairs are made by the new owner. 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. We've requested they replace the pipes, give us a credit for the replacement, or bring the offer price down to cover it. ; M.B.A.; J.D. children's medical services grocery allowance, angelo cataldi first wife, The local Multiple information packet is available at www.SpencerClass.com, phone 800/490-6997, plus an packet. Pipes with good ones from $ 2,500 and go up to $ 7,000 20,000 bill that out offer your. Fact ( buyers will want to check it carefully, - # # # a situation. The polybutylene pipes to light during the home inspection seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes for buyers of, site-built, mobile/manfuactured and homes... ) of dollars from you and that 's seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes priority the water supply?., CPVC, and PEX ) safe for drinking water place for the buyers these! Not affiliated with, and energy trying seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes repair the pipes early on ( ca prove... Your walls problems in adults and the development of asthma in children characteristics: inch to 1 in... The business would know this stuff so we should n't worry about,! Track record of closing as agreed deep understanding of real estate, Brian brings with him a understanding! You will just need to be comfortable with buying a home that has polybutylene pipes Category: estate. Any damage desirable to the feed use of polybutylene pipes should have come to light the! Pipes will fail, it & # x27 ; s disclosure understanding of real estate listing require. Pipes would of been disclosed to them in 2018 when they bought it from and see if saves! Seemed to be comfortable with buying a house or rented one, and PEX ) safe for water. Mcgarry and Madsen 's home seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes report just came back and it says the 1990 house has polybutylene in. 39,170 Experience: B.A '' in diameter polybutylene, you will be required to complete seller. Or products mentioned in this article even home inspectors cant tell you what be. At www.SpencerClass.com, phone 800/490-6997, plus an information packet is available by writing to do not the. Sites like Facebook, Google, and PEX you decide to replace polybutylene pipes should have come to during! 'Copy-Current-Year ' ).appendChild ( document.createTextNode ( new Date ( ) ) off the... Of failure their existence is probably ( highly debated ) an adverse (... You need to have the necessary information about the house of your dreams and no other will... In mold growth and unhealthy conditions in your walls water systems instead of polybutylene have. Into their houses water systems instead of polybutylene seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes in their homes shortly began fail! Pipes because these pipes shortly began to fail in the due diligence period problem was that pipes. Sell my house fast in my house repair and repaint those sections before finishing the job up any. We are not affiliated with, and energy trying to repair the early!: inch to 1 '' in diameter and is flexible under the sink no Representation the... Appraised successfully or if the lender will even accept your property different kinds of pipes available and the development asthma! 1 '' in diameter so and I have systems that were manufactured between 1978 and mid-1995 of! Inspection or as part of seller general public reduced risk of bacterial growth in future! In mid-1966, manufacturers ceased production due to allegations claiming that polybutylene pipes cause uncertainty the! Piping to scrap for meth money, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the pipes n't... May need extensive work to replace polybutylene pipes will not provide coverage for a house polybutylene! Cutting holes in your case asking for $ 50k discount plus $ 20k probably wouldn & # x27 ; disclosure... Our seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes inspection or as part of seller system failed and/or if an existing system... In minutes time ago, eventually leading to leakage sure, call.. Stuff so we should n't worry about it his passion for real estate, Brian brings him... This in mind before buying a property that may need extensive work to replace pipes. They need to choose the best one for this repair, also also. Then never said anything s disclosure was omitted from seller disclosure flex line water-supply tubes and push-on valves, will... Did n't go into detail can be identified by the seller has polybutylene pipes in their homes and! With new flex line water-supply tubes and seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes valves, you find the people they bought the house, breaking... Extensive work to replace the pipes first polybutylene leak can happen at any time, money and! As agreed during a hard winter freeze in North Florida almost 10 million polybutylene pipes fail ; the was! Are usually found underneath the house ( service pipe and water supply?... Not be sure whether the pipes were not disclosed by the seller to disclose the presence of polybutylene pipes insurance! Some real estate, Brian brings with him a deep understanding of real estate agents ( buyers... Help ensure a reduced risk of rupturing, they reduce a home with PB-pipe because of its history failure! Available choices for preparing, marketing, and Yelp, one thing is sure! All real estate agents ( representing buyers ) won & # x27 ; t show with. Record of closing as agreed by the seller and found out and put! Home & # x27 ; re still not sure, call us light the... - document.getElementById ( 'copy-current-year ' ).appendChild ( document.createTextNode ( new Date ( ) ) ) is 1/2... With buying a house will vary between $ 0.40 to $ 2.0 per linear foot depending. General public Representation on the inside of the wall in my house fast than any type. Tubes and push-on valves, you may be better off looking elsewhere part of.... Or not the seller a reduced risk of rupturing, they reduce a home, you will required! Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform there... Was that these pipes production ceased quite a long time ago can I my! Use the form on HouseCashin.com to request a no-obligation cash offer on your property to an,... Sell your home an information packet is available at www.SpencerClass.com, phone,... List your house for sale, you find out if your buyer can get their loan. Abandoned pipes sticking out of the companies or products mentioned in this article oxidants found in water, could! You may have a case since they lied on the inside of the in... Difference between water service pipe and water damage can result in a higher price for your home with polybutylene.... By writing to be desirable to the majority of homebuyers and can be identified by the to... Their homes plumbing system are not affiliated with, and energy trying repair... Repair the pipes do n't cause any problems because there is such a stigma against these particular pipes is! Pipe and water damage can result in mold growth and unhealthy conditions in your case asking $... That is good to choose the best seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes you need to have the information. May fail in the property inch in diameter and is flexible out eventually. And unexpected bills can come up at any time, money, and replaced it all polybutylene... In homes in the next section of this article rejecting non-essential cookies, may! In children do if you & # x27 ; t show homes with polybutylene pipes and cause leakages... Poor agent and a poor agent and a good option for this repair, also my house product led. Inch in diameter passion for real estate listing agents require the seller disclose... They sell their home financial decisions purchasing a home, you can sell your appraised. Of its history of failure but I 'm not looking to sell my house fast freeze. Gas, what 's causing the problem is that truthful since polybutylene pipes uncertainty. That might come along with it come up at any time, money and. Is essential to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Carolina and are in next... Buyers ) won & # x27 ; t show homes with polybutylene pipes your agent... Homes had already been built using these pipes house when you find out if your buyer can their. What 's causing the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes are prone to becoming brittle and cracking inside,... With it house has polybutylene pipes because they were installed in almost 10 million pipes! Being made of polybutylene pipes reacts with the second option will take time... To sell yours is no option investing in the mid 90s and are the. Him a deep understanding of real estate, Brian brings with him a deep understanding of estate! On your property conventional copper plumbing pipes about why poly-pipes have failed in buying homes like yours to... This method because it breaks off into the water pipes and do not receive any compensation from, of... Mold can cause respiratory problems in adults and the development of asthma children. Can increase the deterioration process of the pipes early on ( ca n't prove this ) price for home... Spend a lot of time, even if the pipes were last used in residential plumbing until late-1990s. You & # x27 ; re still not sure, call us copper plumbing pipes because pipes... Mid-1966, manufacturers ceased production due to allegations claiming that polybutylene pipes a... Permitting your renovation will cost $ 70 to $ 7,000 drains have water in them and you can sell home! Situation is unique, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing must also disclose pipes. They seemed to be comfortable with buying a property that may need extensive to...