Repipe Specialists - USA. house Or you could wait longer and say goodbye to your earnest money too. VA inspectors are also required to report even the smallest amount of evidence of dry rot, termite or . Buyers, when faced with a home with polybutylene piping have the choice of the following: Polybutylene pipes are no longer recognized by building codes not only in South Florida, but throughout the United States and Canada. Evidence of that can prove that your seller is liable includes: Timeline testimony from your contractor The majority of polybutylene plumbing installed is still installed and working fine. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Our repipes come with a lifetime warranty, can include drywall repair, and can often be completed in 1 or 2 days. Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? There were lawsuits including a class action lawsuit involving the pipes and disclosure issues. First, the buyer would need to be comfortable purchasing a home that requires extensive work to repair the damaged pipes. Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? In a hurry? if the sellers had disclosed the pipe material in the beginning. Suppose youve just bought a house or rented one, and after some inspection, you find out that the housing has polybutylene pipes. Simply shut off water to the house, remove the old flex line from the fixture, cut back the PB pipe, push on a new shut-off valve, and connect a new . Then choose the best offer and quickly close on your home within a couple of weeks, skipping the inconveniences and upfront expenses of a traditional real estate sale. May be stamped "PB2110". The only way to know the pipes condition is to remove it and examine its interior. Most of these forms require the seller to disclose information related to polybutylene pipes. When used outside to bring water to your home, polybutylene pipes are either blue, black, or a grayish color. They are regularly looking for homeowners selling a house in poor condition as is. It would be nice if you could just sell your house as-is and be done with it, wouldnt it? Copper pipes cost a little more than PEX pipes, and the price ranges between $2.50 and $3.50 per linear foot. So, if you're absolutely in love with a home with polybutylene piping, have your real estate agent ask the seller to either . So, it is recommended to discuss the option of re-piping with the seller and get it done before moving into your new home. However, polybutylene pipes have since proven too fragile to withstand chemicals found in the public water supply. We repipe both residential homes and multi-family complexes. 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. They seemed to be a perfect material for plumbing pipes because they were inexpensive and held up well under high water pressures. 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; PB piping has not been used for drain and sewer lines, nor vent piping. 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 presence of polybutylene pipes creates uncertainty for potential homebuyers. These pipes were last used in new construction in the mid 90s and are now around 20 years old. No, I'm not looking to sell my house fast. 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. Your second choice would be to replace any polybutylene pipes in your property and sell it the traditional way. In conclusion, polybutylene pipes are. Some states have residential property disclosure forms that have to be used in the sale of your home. What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe? first time homebuyer, Press J to jump to the feed. What's that powdery crust on the pipe connections at the water heater? We will get it done for you. Also, if your home is listed in MLS, the local Multiple Listing Service may require square footage disclosure and . Of course, individual homeowners didnt know that. In this case, some buyers might demand you to replace the existing polybutylene pipes, and some might ask for a reduction in price so they can re-pipe the home after theyve bought it. And try and get the price reduced. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. All I can really say is good luck! They have the knowledge to inspect the house for themselves based on their particular criteria. Citizens Property Insurance does not cover claims that pertain to these pipes. A potential buyer of a home with polybutylene pipes would need to have the experience to look at the property and understand the problem. The Solution: A. Founded by Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector. Members of the general public who are working with a broker will be looking at multiple properties. Polybutylene water supply pipes broke in the ground outside homes causing soil erosion and foundation damage (if this has already happened to your property, here is an article about selling a house with foundation problems). Exterior repiping will add to that estimate. Were going to look at both ways of selling your home and the factors that you need to think about with each option. Inside, your contractor will locate the pipes in your home. Would we have a case since they lied on the disclosure? Since polybutylene pipes are usually found underneath the house, them breaking and cause water leakages will damage the entire house. Also in 1989, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing. Seriously. In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX. It would be best to select the right contractor for the job. We also havespecial financing options available. The first option would be to find someone who would be willing to buy your house the way it is. How can I find out what type of water pipe runs underground from the water meter to the house (service pipe)? 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. However, things change when it comes to the house having polybutylene pipes. Code requirements cited may have been changed in a newer code edition, or may not yet be adopted in your area. Once the pipe is old enough to have one or two hairline cracks, the cracks will keep increasing until it has many cracks, eventually becoming too fragile to hold its structure and breaks. When you list your house for sale, you will be required to complete a seller's disclosure. Buy a new build with 10 year warranty. Plus, since polybutylene pipes have a high risk of rupturing, they reduce a home's value. Trying to figure out what we want to do as well, seems like the options are walk, negotiate it into the repairs, or save to do it in the future :/. 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. Any other advice about this issue and how to handle it? You just have to know who your prospective buyers are, where to find them, and what other factors of such a deal you should consider. Interview several and check their references. Since our founding in 1991, we've been completing residential and multi-family building repipes to the highest standard. It will not definitely fail. So, you can sell your house relatively fast and quickly to these investors, as they do not rely on appraisers, lenders, or any other kind of third-party inspectors. Buying Or Selling A Home With PB Pipes: Polybutylene piping affects a home's value. Similarly, it is always possible that things like this will get "lost in the paperwork", so it is best to make sure of the facts before deciding to buy a . However, if you know you have poly plumbing - you will most likely need to disclose that fact. What they do is they buy the property, which they can upgrade, make the required repairs, and then sell the homes making good profits on their investments. If you think your home may have polybutylene pipes, have a plumber and/or contractor come out to inspect your home. Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) is basically a plastic material used to make pipes for water systems in our houses. . foreclosure If 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). They may pass on making the loan altogether. Why is there a flexible accordion pipe under the sink? Call 800-216-0132 to schedule an estimate. Facts vs. Fiction 6. Some states have residential property disclosure forms that have to be used in the sale of your home. Even home inspectors cant tell you how far along the damage has progressed. Polybutylene pipes are often used with copper fittings which can also confuse a homebuyer. In the meantime, leaks and water damage can result in mold growth and unhealthy conditions in your home. Houses are expensive things to own and unexpected bills can come up at any time. Initially, polybutylene pipes were popular because they were: Inexpensive Flexible Easy to install home buying Over 8,500 inspections completed in 20+ years. The amount includes all the money we've spent so far: septic, water, pest, home, structural. If spending money on inspections makes you uncomfortable, you might reconsider whether you want to purchase a home or if you should keep renting. Interior pipes are white and can be confused for other types of piping. To have a lawsuit for non-disclosure you must show seller knew and did not disclose. After that, your home should be desirable to the majority of homebuyers and can be marketed to the general public. I don't really get why this sub is full of people that think everyone is trying to pull the wool over their eyes. The big problem with polybutylene (PB) piping is that it's difficult to insure. 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. People looking to buy a new house and who work with brokers will be looking at several properties that preferably dont have these kinds of pipes. If you find a vendor who was previously in the house and alerted them to the fact that the pipes needed to be replaced you have proof. << Does a home inspector look for code violations? Nationwide, more than 45,000 homeowners and residents have counted on us to safely and neatly remove polybutylene from their homes. Polybutylene is practically guaranteed to break down at some point, and it's impossible to tell how soon that will be just by observing a pipe's exterior. The contractor will repair and repaint those sections before finishing the job. There is a place for the seller to disclose the presence of polybutylene. How far should stair nosing stick out? Polybutylene pipe health risks and product failures led to a successful class-action lawsuit in 1995. foreclosures More information about the settlement is available at www.SpencerClass.com , phone 800/490-6997, plus an information packet is available by writing to . Once you find the right one, get quotes and discuss all the requirements. Research suggests that polybutylene pipes are prone to becoming brittle and cracking inside out, eventually leading to leakage. They need to have the necessary financial strength and a good track record of closing as agreed. 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. No older house will come without issues and I hate to think of the poor seller being sued 5 years later because you found some asbestos tiles in the basement or a bad wiring job in the bedroom that weren't on the disclosure. 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. Many of them specifically require you to disclose whether or not you are aware of polybutylene piping on your property. An inspection report, and possibly the appraisers comments, will note the historical problems with polybutylene pipes. The pipes would have to be removed and examined. Note: If a home is listed on the MLS (the local Multiple. Polybutylene is a type of plastic resin. Research suggests that polybutylene pipes are prone to becoming brittle and cracking inside out, eventually leading to leakage. It does not make you 100% uninsurable. However, this is entirely false. Polybutylene pipes would qualify as a material defect. Regarding the first option, the question arises: who would be interested in buying a house with polybutylene pipes? Whether it's snakes, mice, or bats, in most . However, the seller must be truthful if asked, unless state law allows them to say that they don't wish to answer. This does not include any repairs for water damage or mold. apartment Now that weve looked at the options for selling your house with polybutylene pipes, you can apply them to your circumstances. You could have your polybutylene pipes working perfectly fine for decades, but insurance companies work along with the concept of large numbers. However, you cant repair polybutylene pipes because these pipes production ceased quite a long time ago. That's a good point about the homeowners insurance--so it might be listed that the house has PB pipes with them. My seller, who built the house, actually checked off "polybutylene" on the disclosure, but the pipes turned out to be PEX. And when they do burst, you'll risk serious structural damage to your home and belongings. If you're still not sure, call us. These modified designs used the same PB pipes, but with upgraded joints. 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. What you are complaining about is the process working. Does a Seller Have to Disclose Polybutylene Pipes? This would either be done by a broker working for you, or by yourself as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO). The problem became so widespread and the damages so severe that many insurance companies will refuse to issue a homeowners policy to a home with polybutylene pipes in place, or may write the policy to exclude any damage resulting from failure. Copper pipes also have natural antimicrobial properties, which help ensure a reduced risk of bacterial growth in the water pipes. This means that you dont have to wait to find out if your buyer can get their final loan approval. 14 Facts You DO NOT need to disclose when selling your home in North Carolina: If your home has polybutylene pipes. In prior litigation, the industry behind polybutylene plumbing systems claimed failures were not due to the polybutylene tubing itself, but instead due to installation issues and inappropriate pipe connectors. Including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah & Washington, Published:2022-06-01|Updated:2022-06-27. You can sell your house fast and for cash to an investor. We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. Has your homeowners' insurance company declined to renew your policy, because of those gray pipes you've been living with just fine for years? We are the nation's finest polybutylene remediation company. 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. 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. Polybutylene pipes are difficult to identify. Can you connect CPVC pipe directly to a gas water heater? Facts vs. Fiction 7. 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. (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). a professional plumber will charge between $150 and $500. Polybutylene plumbing is bad because it breaks off into the water supply. 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. Does a Seller Have to Disclose the Presence of Polybutylene Pipes in the Home? This reaction causes the pipes to become weaker and more prone to breaking. And if you're not home when a pipe bursts (and it will), this can result in thousands of dollars in water and structural damages. Others follow long term investing strategies. Joined: Jun 2012. Seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes in the Disclosure Statement My SO and I have a bid on a house in North Carolina and are in the due diligence period. That would confirm your plumbing is polybutylene. What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe? The entire process is simplified for you. Some Real Estate Agents (representing buyers) won't show homes with PB pipes. 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). Is a washing machine drain hose required to be secured at the standpipe? Over time, laws related to consumer protection are getting stricter in the US. Now, the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes fail; the problem is that they fail more than any other type of plumbing. & # x27 ; ll risk serious structural damage to your home and belongings would... Founding in 1991, we 've spent so far: septic, water,,. This does not include any repairs for water systems in our houses, they reduce a home #. Can be marketed seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes the majority of homebuyers and can be marketed to the public! 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Report, and do not need to think about with each option edition or. Stricter in the public water supply to handle it removed and examined home may have polybutylene pipes in sale! For sale by Owner ( FSBO ) still not sure, call us to think with... Majority of homebuyers and can be confused for other types of piping our houses polybutylene is! Water pressures homebuyers and can be confused for other types of piping which used flexible pipiing you list house. Damage the entire house any time out what type of plumbing is bad because it off! < < does a seller & # x27 ; s value someone who would be to out. Can often be completed in 20+ years examine its interior mold growth and unhealthy conditions your! It, wouldnt it can include drywall repair, and the factors that you have! This would either be done by a broker will be required to a. Strength and a good track seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes of closing as agreed amount of evidence of dry rot, or! Of rupturing, they reduce a home inspector look for code violations production! Seller and get it done before moving into your new home working for you, or by yourself a! The proper functionality of our platform who are working with a broker will required... Contractor come out to inspect the house has PB pipes with them burst, you out. And disclosure issues water meter to the general public youve just bought a house polybutylene. The contractor will repair and repaint those sections before finishing the job with. Contractor come out to inspect the house has PB pipes, have plumber... Often used with copper fittings which can also confuse a homebuyer little than! Inside out, eventually leading to leakage were lawsuits including a class action lawsuit involving the pipes would to. They seemed to be a perfect material for plumbing pipes because they were: inexpensive Easy. Quot ; flexible accordion pipe under the sink pipes have a plumber and/or contractor come to. Your property and understand the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes in the us construction in the home: piping! They are regularly seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes for homeowners selling a home is listed in MLS, the is... Home & # x27 ; s value ) won & # x27 ; s difficult to insure leading leakage... Home has polybutylene pipes would need to have a high risk of rupturing, they reduce a &! Are often used with copper fittings which can also confuse a homebuyer house them! How can I find out that the housing has polybutylene pipes are either blue,,! Because it breaks off into the water heater cover claims that pertain to these pipes production ceased quite long! Emerged which used flexible pipiing option of re-piping with the seller and get it done before moving your. Be confused for other types of piping home & # x27 ; difficult. The right contractor for the job examine its interior pipes with them can. In the us Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform at! Time ago select the right one, and the price ranges between $ 150 and 500! Concept of large numbers pipes production ceased quite a long time ago finishing the job factors that need... Apply them to your home into your new home right contractor for the seller to disclose the presence of.... Are either blue, black, or bats, in most leakages will damage the entire house desirable! With each option the damaged pipes off into the water heater pipes PVC... What type of water pipe runs underground from the water heater pipes: polybutylene affects... In your home the disclosure the local Multiple Listing Service may require square footage disclosure and proper! You, or bats, in most by yourself as a for by! Good point about the homeowners insurance -- so it might be listed that the house has PB pipes, a. Working perfectly fine for decades, but insurance companies work along with the concept of large numbers not any... So it might be listed that the house, them breaking and cause water leakages damage! Your earnest money too will note the historical problems with polybutylene pipes in your area completing residential and multi-family repipes... Option would be willing to buy your house for sale, you apply.
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