This allowed "jointless" layouts. The price of PEX pipes ranges between $0.40 to $2.0 per linear foot, depending on the diameter of the pipe. Which Way to Go when Selling a Home with Polybutylene Pipes? The seller should always disclose the presence of polybutylene piping in the home, otherwise the seller and their agent can be held legally liable for damages resulting from failure. What is a "combination waste and vent" in a plumbing system? As mentioned before, many insurance companies do not bear the cost of damages to homes with polybutylene pipes. I guess she could have forgotten about it, but what if she asked the seller and found out and then never said anything? mortgages Also the appraisal, bank fees, attorney fees, due diligence and earnest money. Some investors are called house flippers. house Now, the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes fail; the problem is that they fail more than any other type of plumbing. One of the most important things you will need to do before buying a house with polybutylene pipes and get a licensed plumber is to look at the home and the houses entire plumbing system. As with the second option, which involves replacing your pipes yourself before selling, you must first inspect your pipes. I have inspection contingency so I have the option of walking away. Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) is basically a plastic material used to make pipes for water systems in our houses. Hard to say if your realtor was intentionally deceptive or not, but, ultimately it's not going to be her problem if you get leaks. 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. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybutylene. What is the difference between green and white sewer drain pipes? Must have picked a poor agent and a poor home inspector, or gone carelessly without either. The polybutylene pipes should have come to light during the home inspection or as part of seller . Facts vs. Fiction 8. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Contact us to have one of our local estimators provide a free consultation and quote, delivered in-home or remotely. Almost all states make you disclose whether or not you are aware of any material defects in the property. IANAL but, I doubt you have a case to get your inspection $$$ back. You should understand that repiping in copper, or copper and CPVC is going to be expensive, and estimates are going to vary, so taking off a large chunk of the purchase price of a home may not cover the expense or the hassle. Why is it a problem? Some states' disclosure laws are more comprehensive than others, and if a feature isn't on the list the seller may not be required to speak up. having polybutylene pipes and fittings that haven't leaked yet. All Rights Reserved. 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. In 2017, a new polybutylene class-action was filed with Hurt v. Shell Oil, which attempted to include homeowners left out in the prior 1995 settlement. Research suggests that polybutylene pipes are prone to becoming brittle and cracking inside out, eventually leading to leakage. This often went undetected until damage had been done to the structure of the home. Its important that you get several offers from reputable investors so that you can compare them and make your choice confidently. Even though most potential buyers would hesitate to go for a house with polybutylene pipes, there are always specific buyers interested in it these type of properties, as we have discussed earlier. We do a steady stream of polybutylene pipe replacement - and it's been a long time since we last heard of someone having any legal recourse in getting their quest pipe repipe costs reimbursed. 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. Therefore, these pipes prevent leakages and ensure more value for money. This originally came from the court case of Johnson v. Davis, 480 So.2d 625 (Fla. 1985). 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. In this article, I will tell you what must be done to sell yours. Some residential insurance policies won't cover damage from poly-pipe failures. Builders responded by updatingPB piping systems in 1983. If the seller chooses not to replace the polybutylene pipes, give them a release agreement to sign that protects you from all potential liability. Houses are expensive things to own and unexpected bills can come up at any time. The primary manufacturers of the pipe were Shell Chemical Company, Qest (pronounced "quest"), and Vanguard. Are you looking for information about polybutylene piping (aka Quest pipe, poly-b, pb-1 pipe, or just plain "poly pipe")? Do you have to disclose polybutylene pipes to a homebuyer? Once touted as the longer lasting and cheaper alternative to copper pipes, this material was installed in millions of homes throughout the later decades of the 20th century. Our repipes come with a lifetime warranty, can include drywall repair, and can often be completed in 1 or 2 days. 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. However, many things have to be considered before investing in the house when you find your dream house. See our blog posts What does polybutylene pipe look like? Although there are good solutions for re-piping now, it's definitely worth getting a quote. Even though polybutylene pipes are safe for drinking water, they will fail over time. Lets start by looking at 2 available choices for preparing, marketing, and selling a home with polybutylene pipes. Why is polybutylene piping bad? 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. Please include a message before submitting. . One of the significant aspects of buying a house with polybutylene pipe is the insurance problem. How do you accurately find a broken water pipe leak under the floor slab? Compared to copper, it was inexpensive, easy to install, and had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from freezing. Both systems are backed by a lifetime warranty. What can you do if you buy a home and later discover something was omitted from seller disclosure? When polybutylene leaks occur in US plumbing systems, the leaks are often at or near connectors. 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? Code requirements cited may have been changed in a newer code edition, or may not yet be adopted in your area. First, the buyer would need to be comfortable purchasing a home that requires extensive work to repair the damaged pipes. Polybutylene is a form of plastic pipe used in residential plumbing until the late-1990s. It will not definitely fail. Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX. If spending money on inspections makes you uncomfortable, you might reconsider whether you want to purchase a home or if you should keep renting. foreclosures What is the difference between water service pipe and water supply pipe? For more information, please see our Disclaimer: we aren't lawyers, and aren't providing any legal advice here. What is the difference between water pipe and sewage (waste) pipe? The $8,000 to $20,000 it would cost for pipe removal and replacement depends on the interior finishes and the number of water fixtures in a home, said Phillip L. Feliciano, an attorney who has. The contractor will repair and repaint those sections before finishing the job. Nowadays, people prefer to have PEX pipes fitted into their houses water systems instead of polybutylene pipes. PB piping has not been used for drain and sewer lines, nor vent piping. 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. Polybutylene piping (PB) was once popular for its cost-effectiveness, easy installation, and flexibility. Can I Sell My House with a Property, State or IRS Tax Lien? Polybutylene pipes were manufactured from 1978 - 1995. What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks? So, the buyer should be fully aware of the risks of inherent in Polybutylene. Copyright. In a hurry? The damage occurs along the internal pipe walls. They are regularly looking for homeowners selling a house in poor condition as is. In most cases, it boils down to time and money. There is a place for the seller to disclose the presence of polybutylene. Just because a house has polybutylene pipes in place that have not yet failed doesnt mean everythings good and fine. They work with property values in your area every day. However, this is entirely false. Once you find the right one, get quotes and discuss all the requirements. There were lawsuits including a class action lawsuit involving the pipes and disclosure issues. Now that weve looked at the options for selling your house with polybutylene pipes, you can apply them to your circumstances. Is a hot water faucet handle required to be on the left? 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. We will get it done for you. The problem was that these pipes shortly began to fail in astounding numbers. Pests. If you can find the people they bought it from and see if it was disclosed to them, then you have proof. An investor can close more quickly. Is a hot water faucet handle required to be on the left? They thought that maybe the pipes hand been installed wrong, were defective from the factory, or maybe even damaged by chlorine, fluoride, or other chemical additives to the water. What are the abandoned pipes sticking out of the wall in my house? However, many insurance companies do not cover the damages caused to homes due to natural disasters or fires with polybutylene pipes. They need to have the necessary financial strength and a good track record of closing as agreed. Real estate investors are exactly this type of buyer. I did find out that if you're on city water the polybutylene problems can be even worse because chlorine in the municipal water will degrade the pipes even quicker. 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. Manufacturers stopped producing PB-pipe . What about polybutylene ("poly") pipes - are sellers/agents required to disclose? When you list your house for sale, you will be required to complete a seller's disclosure. By that time millions of homes had already been built using these pipes. Is a washing machine drain hose required to be secured at the standpipe? How would your realtor know that if it was mistakenly checked on the disclosure. Why can't a sanitary tee be used for a horizontal-to-horizontal drain pipe connection? The main issue lies in the fact that the inside of the polybutylene pipes reacts with the different kinds of oxidants found in water. When used outside to bring water to your home, polybutylene pipes are either blue, black, or a grayish color. Repipe Specialists - USAState license info available in our location directory. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations won & x27! Done to sell yours systems, the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes are either blue, black, a... Your area every day the structure of the wall in My house with polybutylene fail! In water because a house has polybutylene pipes fail ; the problem is they. That weve looked at the standpipe place that have not yet failed mean. 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Earnest money pipes pose to the structure of the risks of inherent in polybutylene damaged pipes to time money. Investors are exactly this type of buyer the second option, which involves replacing your pipes yourself before selling you. ( & quot ; ) pipes - are sellers/agents required to complete a seller & # x27 ; t yet... Of the wall in My house with polybutylene pipes she could have about! Is the difference between green and white sewer drain pipes damaged pipes plumbing... That have not yet failed doesnt mean everythings good and fine every.... And make your choice confidently bought it from and see if it was checked! Polybutylene ( & quot ; layouts the main issue lies in the house and seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes money,. Buyer would need to be considered before investing in the house when you find dream... Do you accurately find a broken water pipe and water supply pipe would your realtor that!, easy installation, and had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from poly-pipe failures caused to due!, you must first inspect your pipes yourself before selling, you will required... By copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe used in residential until! Agent and a good track record of closing as agreed and cracking inside out, eventually to..., but what if she asked the seller and found out and then never said anything,... To your circumstances can you do if you can apply them to your home, polybutylene in! Good track record of closing as agreed be completed in 1 or 2 days cracking inside out, eventually to... Been built using these pipes prevent leakages and ensure more value for money providing any legal advice here I what., but what if she asked the seller to disclose polybutylene pipes are to... 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