Polybutylene Pipes

[Eric]

My MH is 8 years old and has Polybutylene pipes installed for the plumbing. My home was built after 1995, so I do not qualify for any relief from the Cox vs. Shell litigation. Is it worth my time and money to have it all replaced?

[Eugene]

My grand father always taught me, don't fix it until it leaks.
Keep your eye on things, It has been my experience that the Polybutylene pipe thing was way overblown, mostly was due to the plastic fittings,
I know a lot of manufacturers used brass fittings and they do great with PB piping.
I would not spend the money on replacing the pipe.

[Tom]

You have to have actual proveable damage to be part of the lawsuit. Alot of homeowners I know replace the fitting with pex transitions and crimps at their leisure, just to be on the safe side and to head off any future problems, but thats entirely up to you. Its like buying insurance, you may never need it, but glad you have it when its there. Tom

[Shannon]

Where can I find out more information about the law suit?

[Tom]

I dont have the link handy, but if you do a www.google.com search for "PB pipe mobile home lawsuit" you should get some hits. Tom

[David Oxhandler]

LIFTED FROM: http://www.amica.com/aboutUs/safety_tips/poly.html

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Used as a substitute for copper piping due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were most commonly found in the "Sun Belt," Mid Atlantic, and Northwest Pacific states.

It is believed that oxidants in the public water supplies, such as chlorine, react with the polybutylene piping and acetal fittings causing them to scale and flake and become brittle. The result may cause the system to become weak and fail without warning, causing damage to the building structure and personal property.

Throughout the 1980’s lawsuits were filed complaining of allegedly defective manufacturing and defective installation, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Although the manufacturers have never admitted the product is defective, they have agreed to fund the Class Action Settlement with an initial and minimum amount of $950 million. The homeowner must own or have owned a home with the above polybutylene system, and must have had it replumbed in order to be considered for reimbursement under the class action suits.

www.polybutylene.com/poly.html
www.rentalprop.com/oldissue/nov95/polybut.htm
www.spencerclass.com

[Ruby Kvestad]

In reading some of the messages at this website, am I right in understanding that there is a class action suit in reference to polybutylene pipes? If so, please send me the information, please! I have a lot of trouble with my pipes. Thanks!!!

[B Fox]

I have a 1983 doublewide, bought new with PB pipes. 3 years after purchase, a connector to the hotwater heater failed because the installer had etched the fitting with a pipe wrench. It leaked several gallons of water, but did not come off.
This year, the same pipe going to that fitting had a small split and leaked a few more gallons. I repaired it with a cutoff valve. The failure appeared to have been caused when the pipe was pinched when putting the hot water heater in.

I think the connections under the floor are plastic, but I don't know. The crimps on the valves and connectors are aluminum and the above floor fittings are all plastic.

Also, we have always had low county water pressure. Sometimes so low it won't open the valve on the toilet (less than 20 psi maybe).

If you are concerned about pipe failure, I'd have the pressure checked. If it is much more than 30 PSI or worse, really low during the day and really high at night, I would recommend having a pressure regulator installed. PVC and even metal pipe can be damaged by high water pressure.

B Fox