when was polybutylene piping banned

When did polybutylene water pipes become illegal?

In the 1980’s litigations over leaking plumbing due to polybutylene pipes began in California and Texas. The eventual Class Action settlement of $1 billion ( Cox v. Shell Oil) in 1995 was enough to ensure that polybutylene water pipes were no longer acceptable by U.S. building codes.

Is polybutylene pipe still used in plumbing?

(Complete Answer) Polybutylene pipe manufacture was stopped after 1995 due to numerous leaks and lawsuits. It is no longer an approved pipe for water supply or distribution by the building codes, but it is still widely used in residential and commercial applications.

Is there a class action lawsuit against polybutylene pipes?

Currently, a class-action lawsuit is being considered. The settlement will likely be covered the cost of polybutylene pipe replacement. The companies that manufacture PB plumbing systems are also responsible for the lawsuits. A federal judge dismissed a case of a similar nature filed in Arkansas against Shell in 2012.

What is the number one cause of polybutylene pipe failure?

Municipal water treatment was found to be the number one cause of polybutylene pipe failure, and homeowners involved in one of two class-action lawsuits were awarded money to replace their plumbing for free. Another lawsuit was filed in 2017 for newly affected homeowners, but the case was closed without a settlement.

When did they stop using polybutylene pipes?

Pipes made from polybutylene were installed in up to 10 million homes in the Unites States during that period. Despite its strengths, production was ceased in mid-1996 after scores of allegations surfaced claiming that polybutylene pipes were rupturing and causing property damage.

Are polybutylene pipes illegal?

Though not banned, polybutylene pipes are no longer sold in the United States market. Most homes built after 1995 should not have polybutylene pipes, but there may still have been piping available and some plumbers may have still been using them.

Does polybutylene pipe need to be replaced?

Polybutylene pipes deteriorate after about 10 to 15 years, so if you still have them, it's past time to look into replacing them. At a minimum, watch for signs of a hidden water leak.

How do I know if my house has polybutylene pipes?

How to Tell If Your Home Has PB Plumbing PipesPolybutylene pipes used for interior applications are generally gray in color but may also be black. PB pipes used outside may be gray, blue or black.PB pipe is flexible, not rigid.Polybutylene pipes may be stamped with the code: PB2110.

Does homeowners insurance cover polybutylene pipes?

Let's start with the simplest answer: no. In general, polybutylene pipes are not covered by homeowners insurance. Most homeowners insurance companies view polybutylene pipes as too liable to burst and cause damage, and so they don't provide coverage.

What do you do if your house has polybutylene pipes?

The repipe process can be costly, but your homeowner's policy or home warranty may help pay for the replacement. Your plumber will remove all of the polybutylene and replace it with copper or durable PVC, including adapters and valves on appliances. You may also need to upgrade to new risers, manifolds, and fittings.

Can polybutylene pipes last 30 years?

How long do PB (polybutylene) pipes last? You can expect PB (polybutylene) pipe to last less than 30 years. It has not been manufactured since the mid-1990s, is no longer approved by the building codes, and failure as early 10 years led to class-action lawsuits against the manufacturers.

How do you transition from polybutylene to PEX?

0:041:48Transitioning from PVC or Polybutylene to PEX ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSee PVC pert or HDPE pipe we have you covered sharkbite fittings can quickly transition from oneMoreSee PVC pert or HDPE pipe we have you covered sharkbite fittings can quickly transition from one pipe material to another they are approved for behind the wall installation.

Do SharkBite fittings work on polybutylene?

SharkBite PEX fittings make it easy to transition between pipe types during repairs. Fast, efficient and reliable, our transition fittings are compatible with Polybutylene, PEX, PVC, CPVC, PE-RT and SDR-9 HDPE, and are approved for behind-the-wall installation as well as burial.

Is PEX the same as polybutylene?

PEX tubing is cross-linked polyethylene. Even though they are both plastic, PEX tubing has different properties than polybutylene. PEX is tougher, can withstand heat better, and harder to cut through than polybutylene. It's been used safely for portable water in the United States for the past two decades.

How can you tell the difference between PEX and polybutylene?

Polybutylene pipe was commonly used from 1978 – 1995 and is a gray flexible pipe. PEX is a plastic flexible pipe that comes in white, blue, orange, red and a translucent milky white clear. This piping came about to replace polybutylene plumbing.

What color is polybutylene piping?

Interior polybutylene pipes are most often gray, but they can be black. If they are outside the home, they may even be blue. The pipes are usually a half-inch to 1 inch in diameter. Polybutylene pipes are flexible and will bend easily with just a little pressure.

Can I use PEX fittings on polybutylene pipe?

PB has the same outside diameter as PEX of the same nominal size, but outside diameters differ slightly between the tubing types. This means that you should not use PEX fittings on polybutylene, but that you can use PEX crimping rings and PEX crimping tools on barbed PB connections.

Is polybutylene the same as PEX?

PEX tubing is cross-linked polyethylene. Even though they are both plastic, PEX tubing has different properties than polybutylene. PEX is tougher, can withstand heat better, and harder to cut through than polybutylene. It's been used safely for portable water in the United States for the past two decades.

Is polybutylene pipes the same as PVC?

Polybutylene, also known as Poly B, is not the same as PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) piping. Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995.

What is the melting point of isotactic polybutylene?

Isotactic polybutylene crystallizes in three different forms. Crystallization from solution yields form-III with the melting point of 106.5 °C. Cooling from the melt results in the form II which has melting point of 124 °C and density of 0.89 g/cm 3. At room temperature, it spontaneously converts into the form-I with the melting point of 135 °C and density of 0.95 g/cm 3.

What is the chemical formula for polybutylene?

Chemical compound. Polybutylene ( polybutene-1, poly (1-butene), PB-1) is a polyolefin or saturated polymer with the chemical formula (CH 2 CH (Et)) n. Not be confused with polybutene, PB-1 is mainly used in piping.

What is PB-1 resin?

PB-1 is a high molecular weight, linear, isotactic, and semi-crystalline polymer. PB-1 combines typical characteristics of conventional polyolefins with certain properties of technical polymers. PB-1, when applied as a pure or reinforced resin, can replace materials like metal, rubber and engineering polymers.

How long does PB-1 last?

Standardized extrapolation methods predict lifetimes in excess of 50 years at 70 °C and 10 bar.

Where is PB-1 used?

Plumbing and heating systems made from PB-1 have been used in Europe and Asia for more than 30 years. First reference projects in district heating and floor heating systems in Germany and Austria from the early 1970s are still in operation today.

Is PB-1 pipe still sold?

PB-1 piping systems are no longer being sold in North America (see " Class action lawsuits and removal from building code approved usage ", below). The overall market share in Europe and Asia is rather small but PB-1 piping systems have shown a steady growth in recent years.

Is PB-1 a hydrostatic pressure?

Because of its crystalline structure and high molecular weight, PB-1 has good resistance to hydrostatic pressure, showing very low creep even at elevated temperatures. It is flexible, resists impact well and has good elastic recovery. Isotactic polybutylene crystallizes in three different forms.

When was polybutylene used in plumbing?

Polybutylene piping is a form of plastic resin and was commonly used for plumbing U.S. homes built between 1978 and 1995.

What is polybutylene piping?

Shell Oil Company was, from 1977 to 1996, the sole producer of polybutylene resin, which was the raw material for the piping.* It is a saturated polymer that , in resin form, can be molded into a number of shapes and forms. It does not crack under stress or pressure; it is flexible and generally resists chemicals like oils, acids, alcohol and fats. It doesn’t corrode, doesn’t calcify and transmits a low noise. It was viewed as an excellent alternative to traditional water pipes, for both the transfer of hot and cold liquids. The creation of the polybutylene piping was an valuable choice for the housing boom, especially for lower-priced homes like mobile homes. Polybutylene should not be confused with PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) piping.

How long does it take for polybutylene to deteriorate?

It takes about 10-15 years for polybutylene piping to deteriorate. Because it deteriorates from the inside out, it’s difficult to assess the extent of the damage. A licensed plumber can fully assess the water pipes outside and inside the home to determine the material and age of the pipes.

Can polybutylene pipes be made from copper?

Be aware that polybutylene piping systems may use copper fittings. Meaning that just because you see copper, the piping system may not be entirely made from copper. A licensed plumber can determine if your home’s plumbing system is made from polybutylene piping.

Does polybutylene piping corrode?

It doesn’t corrode, doesn’t calcify and transmits a low noise. It was viewed as an excellent alternative to traditional water pipes, for both the transfer of hot and cold liquids. The creation of the polybutylene piping was an valuable choice for the housing boom, especially for lower-priced homes like mobile homes.

Can you replace polybutylene pipes?

Unfortunately, if there are polybutylene pipes within the home, or leading into the home, the best course of action is to replace the pipes entirely by hiring a re-pipe specialist. An expert can assess the current plumbing, replace the pipes and expertly patch up any holes.

What is polybutylene used for?

Polybutylene is created using the chemical formula (C4H8)n, and is often used as a pure resin to replace other materials like metal, rubber, and other engineering polymers. Polybutylene was used extensively in housing construction and water piping between 1978 and 1995, throughout the United States and Canada. However, it was banned from use in 1995 in both countries, and here we'll go over why it was used as well as why it was banned.

Why do water pipes break?

It is believed that oxidants in water supplies react with the pipes and their fittings, which cause them to scale and flake away, eventually becoming brittle. This results in tiny fractures running the length of the pipe, and over time the overall integrity of the entire piping system is reduced. After a certain period of time the pipes are liable to fail without warning, causing tremendous property damage if the problem is not immediately located and contained.

Overview

Class action lawsuits and removal from building code approved usage

Polybutylene plumbing was used in several million homes built in the United States from around 1978 to 1997. Problems with leaks and broken pipes led to a class action lawsuit, Cox v. Shell Oil, that was settled for $1 billion. The leaks were associated with degradation of polybutylene exposed to chlorinated water.
Polybutylene water pipes are no longer accepted by the United States building codes and have b…

Production

Characteristics

Application areas

Environmental longevity

See also

Further reading