San Diego Home Inspector - CREIA California Real Estate Inspection Association San Diego Home Inspections - Inspection Service San Diego - American Dream Property Inspection Service Plumbing Inspection

What is Polybutylene?

Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as "the pipe of the future" and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. It is most commonly found in the "Sun Belt" where residential construction was heavy through the 1980's and early-to-mid 90's, but it is also very common in the Mid Atlantic and Northwest Pacific states.

These are typically gray or white in color with a dull finish. Most are shown with pipe attached. Figure (4) is a new fitting.

The piping systems were used for underground water mains and as interior water distribution piping. Industry experts believe it was installed in at least 6 million homes, and some experts indicate it may have been used in as many as 10 million homes. Most probably, the piping was installed in about one in every four or five homes built during the years in which the pipe was manufactured.

How to Tell If You Have Poly
Exterior - Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue, but may be gray or black (do not confuse black poly with polyethelene pipe). It is usually 1/2" or 1" in diameter, and it may be found entering your home through the basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up through your crawlspace; frequently it enters the home near the water heater. Your main shutoff valve is attached to the end of the water main. Also, you should check at the water meter that is located at the street, near the city water main. It is wise to check at both ends of the pipe because we have found cases where copper pipe enters the home, and poly pipe is at the water meter. Obviously, both pipes were used and connected somewhere underground.

Interior - Polybutylene used inside your home can be found near the water heater, running across the ceiling in unfinished basements, and coming out of the walls to feed sinks and toilets. Warning: In some regions of the country plumbers used copper "stub outs" where the pipe exits a wall to feed a fixture, so seeing copper here does not mean that you do not have poly.

See the photos below of polybutylene pipes and fittings.

Will the Pipes Fail?
While scientific evidence is scarce, 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. Micro-fractures result, and the basic structural integrity of the system is reduced. Thus, the system becomes weak and may fail without warning causing damage to the building structure and personal property. It is believed that other factors may also contribute to the failure of polybutylene systems, such as improper installation, but it is virtually impossible to detect installation problems throughout an entire system.

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 that poly is defective, they have agreed to fund the Class Action settlement with an initial and minimum amount of $950 million. You'll have to contact the appropriate settlement claim company to find out if you qualify under this settlement.

Water Heaters:

The State of California requires that all water heaters in our area be anchored or strapped to resist movement during an earthquake. This can be accomplished by installing any of the over-the-counter products especially made for restraining water heaters (example 1) or you can make your own out of a heavy-duty metal strap material (Example 2). It is required that at least two restraints are used, with one in the upper one-third and one in the lower one-third of the water heater. Fasten of the anchor or strap to the structure, use a screw not less than 1/4" diameter with a minimum penetration of 1 1/2" into a wood stud of the wall, with a washer between the head of the screw and the restraint. Below are examples of acceptable methods for restraining a water heater. Note: A plumbing and gas permit is required any time a water heater is replaced.

Example 1

These types of restraints are over-the-counter products soldat your local hardware store.

Drill pilots on center line of stud, insert screws through punched holes in strap. Use washers.

The lower strap must be a minimum of 4" above the control unit.

This 18" stand is required for heaters installed in a garage location.

Example 2

Minimum 22 Gauge metal strap material installed within the top 1/3 of the heater and the bottom 1/3 of the heater.

Drill pilots on center line of stud, insert screws through punched holes in strap.

Use minimum 1/4" screws with minimum 11/2" penetration. Use washers.

The lower strap must be a minimum of 4" above the control unit.

This 18" stand is required for heaters installed in a garage location.

Well Information

Properly constructed private water supply systems require little routine maintenance. These simple steps will help protect your system and investment.

Always use licensed or certified water well drillers and pump installers when a well is constructed, a pump is installed or the system is serviced.
An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended. Any source of drinking water should be checked any time there is a change in taste, odor or appearance, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.
Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your well.
Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair.
Always maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste systems or chemical storage facilities. Your professional contractor knows the rules.
Don't allow back-siphonage. When mixing pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals, don't put the hose inside the tank or container.
When landscaping, keep the top of your well at least one foot above the ground. Slope the ground away from your well for proper drainage.
Take care in working or mowing around your well. A damaged casing could jeopardize the sanitary protection of your well. Don't pile snow, leaves, or other materials around your well.
Keep your well records in a safe place. These include the construction report, as well as annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.
Be aware of changes in your well, the area around your well, or the water it provides.
When your well has come to the end of its serviceable life (usually more than 20 years), have your qualified water well contractor properly decommission your well after constructing your new system.

Serving ALL of San Diego County & Surrounding Areas

Agua Caliente 92086, Alamorio 92227, Allied Gardens 92120, Alpine 91901, Alta Vista 92114, Ballena, 92065, Bankhead Springs 91934, Banner 92036, Bard 92283, Barona Mesa 92065, Barrett Junction 91917, Barrio Logan 92113, Bay Park 92110, Bear Valley 92027, Birch Hill 92060, Blossom Valley 92021, Bonita 91902, Bonsall 92003, Borrego Springs 92004, Bostonia 92021, Boulder Oaks 91962, Boulevard 91905, Broadway Heights 92114, Buckman Springs 91962, Buena 92083, Cameron Corners 91906, Camp Pendelton 92055, Compo 91906, Canebrake 92036, Canyon City 91906, Carlsbad 92008, Carmel Mountain Ranch 92128, Carmel Valley 92130, Casa De Oro 91977, Castle Park 91911, Centre City 92101, Chollas Creek 92105, Chula Vista 91910, City Heights 92105, Clairemont 92117, Combs Camp 92004, Coronado 92118, Cottonwood 92019, Crest 92021, Crown Point 92109, Cuyamaca 92036, De Luz 92028, Dehesa 92019, Del Cerro 92120, Del Dios 92029, Del Mar 92014, Descanso 91916, Desert Lodge 92004, Dulzura 91917, Eagles Nest 92086, East Elliott 92145, East Lake 91913, Eastlake Greens 91915, Echo Dell 91916, Eden Gardens 92075, El Cajon 92020, Emerald Hills 92114, Encinitas 92024, Engineer Springs 91917, Escondido 92025, Eucalyptus Hills 92040, Fairbanks Ranch 92067, Fallbrook 92028, Fernbrook 92065, Fleetridge 92106, Fletcher Hills 92020, Flinn Springs 92021, Foster 92040, Glen Oaks 91901, Glenview 92021, Golden Hill 92102, Grant Hill 92102, Grantville 92120, Green Valley Falls 92916, Grossmont 91942, Guatay 91931, Harbison Canyon 92019, Harmony Grove 92029, Harrison Park 92036, Hidden Glen 91901, Hidden Meadows 92026, Hillcrest 92103, Hulburd Grove 91916, Imperial Beach 91932, Indian Springs 91935, Irving’s Crest 92065, Jacumba 91934, Jamacha 92114 & 91935, Jamul 91935, Jesmond Dene 02026, Johnstown 92021, Julian 92036, Kearny Mesa 92111, Kensington 92116, La Costa 92009, La Jolla 92037, La Jolla Amago 92060, La Mesa 91941, La Playa 92106, La Presa 91977, Lake Henshaw 92070, Lakeside 92040, Lakeview 92040, Lemon Grove 91945, Leucadia 92024, Lincoln Acres 91950, Lincoln Park 92192, Linda Vista 92111, Little Italy 92101, Live Oak Park 92028, Live Oak Springs 91905, Logan Heights 92113, Loma Portal 92110, Lomas Santa Fe 92075, Lomita 92114, Lynwood Hills 91910, Manzanita 91905, Memorial 92113, Mesa Grande 92070, Middletown 92103, Midway 92106, Mira Mesa 92126, Miramar 92126, Miramar Ranch 92131, Mission Bay Park 92109, Mission Beach 92109, Mission Hills 92103, Mission Valley 92108, Mission Village 92123, Morena Village 91906, Moreno 92040, Morretis 92070, Mount Helix 91941, Mount Hope 92102, Mount Laguna 91948, Mount View 92113, National City 91950, Navajo 92120, Nestor 91154, Normal Heights 92116, North Bay Terraces 92114, North Encanto 92114, North Jamul 91935, North Park 92104, Oak Grove 92086, Oak Park 92105, Ocean Beach 92107, Ocean Hills 92056, Oceanside 92054, Ocotillo Wells 92004, Old Town 92110, Olivehain 92024, Otay 91911, Otay Mesa 92154, Pacific Beach 92109, Pala 92059, Pala Mesa Village 92028, Palm City 92154, Palo Verde 91901, Palomar Mountain 92060, Paradise Hills 92139, Paso Picacho 92036, Pauma Valley 92061, Peninsula 92106, Pine Hills 92036, Pine Valley 91962, Point Loma 92106, Potrero 91963, Poway 92064, Puerta La Cruz 92086, Rainbow 92028, Ramona 92065, Ranchita 92066, Rancho Bernardo 92128, Rancho Del Rey 91910, Rancho Palo Verde 91901, Rancho Penasquitos 92129, Rancho San Diego 91978, Rancho Santa Fe 92067, Rincon 92082, Rock Haven 92065, Rolando 92115, Rosemont 92065, Roseville 92106, Sabre Springs 92128, San Carlos 92119, San Diego (downtown) 92101, San Felipe 92086, San Ignacio 92086, San Luis Rey 92054, San Luis Rey Heights 92028, San Marcos 92069, San Onofre 92672, San Paqual 92025, San Ysidro 92173, Santa Ysabel 92070, Santee 92071, Scissors Crossing 92036, Scripps Miramar Ranch 92131, Serra Mesa 92123, Shady Dell 92065, Shelltown 92113, Shelter Valley Ranchos 92036, Sherman Heights 92102, Skyline 92114, Solana Beach 92075, Sorrento Hills 92130, Sorrento Mesa 92121, Sorrento Valley, 92121, South Bay Terraces 92139, South Encanto 92114, South Oceanside, 92054, South Park 92102, Southcrest 92113, Spring Valley 91977, Stockton 92102, Sunnyside 91902, Sunshine Summit 92086, Talmadge 92115, Tecate 91980, The Narrows 92004, The Willows 91901, Tierra Del Sol 91905, Tierrasanta 92124, Tijuana River Valley 92154, Torrey Pines 91014, Twin Oaks 92069, University City 92122, University Heights 92116, Uptown 92103, Valencia Park 92114, Vallecito 92036, Valley Center 92082, Via De La Valle 92014, Victoria 91901, Vista 92083, Warner Springs 92086, Whispering Pines 92036, Winter Gardens 92040, Winterwarm 92028, Witch Creek 92065, Wynola 92036.