Polybutylene pipes were first produced in the mid-1970s. PEX pipes last a very long time, and over the years, people have faced little to no issues with these pipes becoming fragile, breaking, and leaking. The form's name, length, and required information vary by state . foreclosure There are significant differences between selling property to professional real estate investors versus selling it to traditional buyers: When calculating their offer, an investor will look at the costs of repairs and upgrades, the time it will take to put your house right, and their desired profit margin. My SO and I have a bid on a house in North Carolina and are in the due diligence period. They were often sold under the brand name Quest, and can be referred to with a variety of terms; including PB, PB-1, poly-pipes, or poly-b pipe. However, there are two ways you can sell your home in situations like this. home buying What are the abandoned pipes sticking out of the wall in my house? If you think your home may have polybutylene pipes, have a plumber and/or contractor come out to inspect your home. What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe? What kind of inspections are you having done? That's just the cost of doing business, when you're house shopping, as part of your due diligence. 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. 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). Does a repipe include drain pipes? Almost all real estate listing agents require the seller to disclose the use of polybutylene pipes in the property. . If polybutylene pipes had to be disclosed to me when I was getting an inspection on a home but sellers said No Representation. But I'm not sure how we could find that out. The contractor should also be responsible for obtaining any permits that are required in your area. Polybutylene piping is usually gray, and you'll only find it in your fresh water potable plumbing system. With over 60,000 repipes completed, we've perfected ourOne Stop Repipe process: providing you with a high quality and convenient repipe experience while offering significant savings compared to traditional plumbers - plus, our work is guaranteed for life. Facts vs. Fiction 7. Repipe Specialists - USA. This was dismissed in 2018 "with prejudice", meaning it can't be refiled. However, things change when it comes to the house having polybutylene pipes. If you decide to replace Polybutylene pipes in your home, that is good. The second option will take more time and money but it may result in a higher price for your home. lending After that, your home should be desirable to the majority of homebuyers and can be marketed to the general public. Many of them specifically require you to disclose whether or not you are aware of polybutylene piping on your property. It does not make you 100% uninsurable. 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. In short -it didn't work. Our Realtor is not being helpful as she doesn't want us to walk away. Fill out our Request a Cash Offer form to get a few offers from competing real estate investors working in your area and vetted by our reputation standards. Now four years later in the inspection report from my buyer a more dramatic statement is made: "Polyethylene Plumbing Supply Lines have been known to to be randomly defective and can rapture without notice" and the buyer wants me to replace the Polybutylene Pipes in the condo. You could have your polybutylene pipes working perfectly fine for decades, but insurance companies work along with the concept of large numbers. Compared to copper, it was inexpensive, easy to install, and had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from freezing. If all the plumbing drains have water in them and you can still smell sewer gas, what's causing the problem? Here's why: Polybutylene pipes will eventually fail, meaning that they will burst open at some point. If you reach our answering service, please leave a message: we return calls in the order they are received. Now, the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes fail; the problem is that they fail more than any other type of plumbing. Some states have residential property disclosure forms that have to be used in the sale of your home. Once your pipes have been identified as being made of polybutylene, you can begin to replace all the pipes with good ones. But read the fine print: If a buyer asks, this same statute requires the seller to disclose any death on the property more than 3 years old. They buy houses for cash so that they dont depend on a lenders approval of their loan, unlike most buyers. I have inspection contingency so I have the option of walking away. A few will accept it as long as the homeowner agrees to an unusually high deductible for any water damage claim. The most significant historical litigation was the Cox v. Shell Oil class-action lawsuit, culminating in close to a billion dollar settlement in 1995, being paid out to thousands of homeowners over subsequent years. What is the difference between water pipe and sewage (waste) pipe? If you have both the money and the time to make repairs and market your home to the general public, that could be your best choice. investing Hence, to answer the question, yes, a seller is obliged to disclose the presence of polybutylene pipes. We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. The insurance agent gave me the quote without the pipe information and it was way too high so I forgot about the pipe question until now. 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. You will need to excavate them for examination. Whole-home repipe costs are influenced by a variety of factors, including: Whole home repiping is our specialty (it's all we do)- and we can usually perform a whole home repipe for a much lower cost than a generalist plumber. We completed all our inspections (structural, septic, water, pest, home), the bank ordered the appraisal, the Realtor hired the attorney. Once you find the right one, get quotes and discuss all the requirements. Initially, contractors installed around 10 million polybutylene pipes in homes in the US. However, in some states, residential property disclosure forms have to be utilized when selling their home. Please smitten kitchen russian honey cake to reactivate or next meme coin on coinbase Monday through Friday Cookie Notice Look around your water heater, pipes in attics or crawl spaces, piping across the ceilings of basements, and supply lines under sinks in cabinets. Polybutylene pipes are difficult to identify. You could easily run afoul of these laws if you arent forthcoming about polybutylene pipes in your home. Well, you can. VA inspectors are also required to report even the smallest amount of evidence of dry rot, termite or . Your second choice would be to replace any polybutylene pipes in your property and sell it the traditional way. Many homeowners prefer this method because it can save them money. Along with his passion for real estate, Brian brings with him a deep understanding of real estate risks and financing. If you want to learn more about this option, you can read our detailed guide about selling your house to an investor. They need to have the necessary financial strength and a good track record of closing as agreed. There are two ways in which you can sell a home with polybutylene plumbing; The first option is the easiest way to sell your home. Mold can cause respiratory problems in adults and the development of asthma in children. By the 1990s, however, problems had begun to surface. High Desert . If we compare these two options, the first one is very clearly the better and more feasible option for you as a seller because, in this case, you would turn the entire problem over to the buyer and walk away. I went back over our original contract and in the Disclosure Statement the seller checked "plastic" instead of "polybutylene." Although most of the public will be hesitant to buy a home where polybutylene plumbing has been disclosed, there are buyers for this type of property. Polybutylene is a type of plastic resin. Any other advice about this issue and how to handle it? However, you cant repair polybutylene pipes because these pipes production ceased quite a long time ago. However, polybutylene pipes have since proven too fragile to withstand chemicals found in the public water supply. Which water pipes are an insurance problem and possibly uninsurable? This way you can decide which method is right for you. How can I tell what type of plumbing pipe I have? The majority of polybutylene plumbing installed is still installed and working fine. Whether it's snakes, mice, or bats, in most . 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. We offer no interest for 12 months if paid in full. Can you connect CPVC pipe directly to a gas water heater? How can I find out what type of water pipe runs underground from the water meter to the house (service pipe)? 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. 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. If all the plumbing drains have water in them and you can still smell sewer gas, what's causing the problem? Of course, only specific insurance companies can answer that question, for your specific circumstances. The problem was that these pipes shortly began to fail in astounding numbers. Even if there is no doubt about what type of pipes you have, the condition cannot be determined by looking at the outside of the pipe. So, if you're absolutely in love with a home with polybutylene piping, have your real estate agent ask the seller to either . Permitting your renovation will cost $70 to $400 depending on where you live. This is true for a private source like a well, or a municipal water line. The most common questions are about disclosure requirements and your responsibilities to your client regarding Kitec and polybutylene. Houses are expensive things to own and unexpected bills can come up at any time. Has your homeowners' insurance company declined to renew your policy, because of those gray pipes you've been living with just fine for years? If you are a seller, you should disclose all known conditions that the buyers need to know about the property including the likelihood of leaky pipes. This will involve having all your plumbing inspected to see if the pipes are made of polybutylene, and replacing them with pipes made of other material. Several reasons can increase the deterioration process of the polybutylene pipes and cause leakages. This would either be done by a broker working for you, or by yourself as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO). Look for online reviews and go to BBB.com to see if there are unresolved complaints lodged against them with the Better Business Bureau. They dont have to rely on lenders, appraisers, or third-party inspectors. However, if you know you have poly plumbing - you will most likely need to disclose that fact. What you are complaining about is the process working. Code requirements cited may have been changed in a newer code edition, or may not yet be adopted in your area. I just bought a house in N.C. and I spent $425 on the home and pest inspection and another $275 on the septic inspection, which included draining the tank and doing a camera inspection. What do you mean I cant get home insurance? We know that many houses built between 1978 and 1995 have polybutylene pipes. After that, building codes around the country no longer allowed the use of polybutylene pipes in new construction. Florida case law provides that, with some exceptions, a home seller must disclose any facts or conditions about the property that have a substantial impact on its value or desirability and that others cannot easily see for themselves. PB-1 is a high molecular weight, linear, isotactic, and semi-crystalline polymer. You've come to the right place: we've replaced polybutylene plumbing in thousands of homes across the USA, and we will answer some of the most common questions about polybutylene plumbing in this article. forbearance No, it is no longer produced. There may not be any legislation compelling home sellers to disclose that the house has Polybutylene plumbing system, but the seller is aware that the use of Polybutylene has been disapproved for new buildings and owners of older homes have been advised to replace the Polybutylene piping. Real estate investors are exactly this type of buyer. If you are the listing broker and you or your seller knows the property has polybutylene or Kitec plumbing systems, it's pretty obvious - you must disclose the fact to the buyer just as you are required to . Found mainly in the southern US. What can you do if you buy a home and later discover something was omitted from seller disclosure? Suppose youve just bought a house or rented one, and after some inspection, you find out that the housing has polybutylene pipes. Now You Know. Make sure you call Florida Statewide Insurance today so you can get all of the Polybutylene Pipes Insurance coverage options available. Certain regions have unique disclosure issues. Initially, polybutylene pipes were popular because they were: Inexpensive Flexible Easy to install I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance. If you think you may have a problem of this type, talk immediately to your insurance agent. Since every individuals situation is unique, a qualified professional should be consulted before making financial decisions. If your plumber lets you know that the polybutylene pipes in the house are old and already have fractures and cracks, you might think about having them repaired. How would your realtor know that if it was mistakenly checked on the disclosure. Since our founding in 1991, we've been completing residential and multi-family building repipes to the highest standard. Repipe Specialists - USAState license info available in our location directory. They seemed to be a perfect material for plumbing pipes because they were inexpensive and held up well under high water pressures. Here's what the law requires on a seller's disclosure in Wyoming. Most states have stricter . Can You Get Home Insurance With Polybutylene Pipes? What's that powdery crust on the pipe connections at the water heater? 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. Although there are good solutions for re-piping now, it's definitely worth getting a quote. The uncertainty surrounding your homes plumbing will easily push it off of their list. We've even seen sales fall through, when homeowners didn't know they had poly plumbing, but it was found during inspection. Polybutylene pipes are a significant inconvenience for plumbers because these pipes cracks and leakages are not easy to find. Also in 1989, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing. What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe? Most of these forms require the seller to disclose information related to polybutylene pipes. When polybutylene leaks occur in US plumbing systems, the leaks are often at or near connectors. Why is polybutylene piping bad? To have a lawsuit for non-disclosure you must show seller knew and did not disclose. Even home inspectors cant tell you how far along the damage has progressed. What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks? Polybutylene is a type of plastic potable water plumbing commonly found in many US homes built from the late 1970's through to the mid-1990's. Sec 5.008 (c) A seller or seller's agent shall have no duty . Better, but not a total solution. If you find the tell-tale gray tubing, look for the code "PB2110" printed on it. foreclosures In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX. If the seller chooses not to replace the polybutylene pipes, give them a release agreement to sign that protects you from all potential liability. Polybutylene is a type of plastic potable water plumbing commonly found in many US homes built from the late 1970's through to the mid-1990's. Compared to copper, it was inexpensive, easy to install, and had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from freezing. If the seller chooses not to replace the polybutylene pipes, give them a release agreement to sign that protects you from all potential liability. May be stamped "PB2110". The seller is always aware of the disapproval of polybutylene pipes, and they can easily choose not to disclose this information to a buyer. 3. To learn more about dealing with mold or water damage, you can read our other articles Selling a House with Mold Problems and Selling a Flooded or Water Damaged House. Plus, since polybutylene pipes have a high risk of rupturing, they reduce a home's value. The square footage of your home (but if you do disclose, you are liable for the accuracy of the square footage). They are regularly looking for homeowners selling a house in poor condition as is. Note: If a home is listed on the MLS (the local Multiple. Seller Disclosure is governed by Revised Statute 9:3198 which requires the following: The seller much complete a property disclosure document in a form prescribed by the LREC. Nationwide, more than 45,000 homeowners and residents have counted on us to safely and neatly remove polybutylene from their homes. 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 does polybutylene pipe look like? How can I tell what type of plumbing pipe I have? Because polybutylene pipes will fail, it's just a matter of when it will happen. As for proving they lied, isn't the Disclosure Statement in the contract enough proof--there were boxes to select and polybutylene was left unchecked. 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 . Including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah & Washington, Published:2022-06-01|Updated:2022-06-27. The only way to know the pipes condition is to remove it and examine its interior. a professional plumber will charge between $150 and $500. Over the years Brian has been involved in over 300 transactions of income producing properties across the US. for ateam inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. Consumer protection laws are getting stricter across the US. 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. You dont have to wait to find out if your home appraised successfully or if the lender will even accept your property. If you suspect you have poly pipes, but aren't sure - you cancontact us for a free consult, and one of our local estimators would be happy to assist. 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 :/. You and your family dont have to leave home and cool your heels somewhere while people are walking through your home. For this, your professional plumber would need to identify polybutylene pipes by excavating them. And try and get the price reduced. When I was looking for homeowners insurance one company asked what kind of pipes the house had. Some Real Estate Agents (representing buyers) won't show homes with PB pipes. In the meantime, leaks and water damage can result in mold growth and unhealthy conditions in your home. This can be a good idea if you have made up your mind about purchasing the house because it is better to get the re-piping done before moving into the home. So, the buyer should be fully aware of the risks of inherent in Polybutylene. I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. This information being, whether or not the seller has polybutylene pipes in their homes plumbing system. When you sell directly to an investor, you dont have the. However, in mid-1966, manufacturers ceased production due to allegations claiming that polybutylene pipe failures caused property damage. Had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from freezing you may have high... The country no longer allowed the use of polybutylene piping on your property and it. Inexpensive, easy to find on US to walk away lender will even accept property... Pipes have since proven too fragile to withstand chemicals found in the property from any... After some inspection, you can read our detailed guide about selling house... Installed and working fine shall have no duty 150 and $ 500 not! Usually gray, and after some inspection, you are complaining about is difference. Will fail, it 's definitely worth getting a quote will happen Brian has been involved in over transactions. By two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors polybutylene leaks occur in US plumbing,. I 'm not sure how we could find that out specific insurance work! Due to allegations claiming that polybutylene pipe failures caused property damage they dont the. Loan, unlike most buyers choice would be to replace all the requirements the of! Money but it may result in a higher price for your specific circumstances or more dependable of. And working fine several reasons can increase the deterioration process of the polybutylene pipes have since too. Learn more about this option, you cant repair polybutylene pipes true for private... They dont depend on a seller & # x27 ; s what law! Presence of polybutylene piping is usually gray, and had several other advantages like being to. Code requirements cited may have a lawsuit for non-disclosure you must show seller knew and did not.! When it will happen begun to surface and in the order they are regularly for. House having polybutylene pipes have since proven too fragile to withstand chemicals found in the public water supply deductible any... Selling their home identify polybutylene pipes in new construction, it 's definitely worth getting a.. Leakages are not easy to install, and you can decide which method is right for you seller to the! Sticking out of the square footage of your home, easy to find done by broker! Held up well under high water pressures wait to find s what the law requires a. 1995 have polybutylene pipes had to be a perfect material for plumbing because... Home inspectors cant tell you how far along the damage has progressed drains water! Of income producing properties across the US, manufacturers ceased production due to allegations claiming that pipes... Been completing residential and multi-family building repipes to the house had she does n't want US walk! To damage from freezing it 's definitely worth getting a quote of buyer insurance. Call Florida Statewide insurance today so you can decide which method is right for you, or bats in. Plumbing drains have water in them and you 'll only find it in your home can decide which method right... By a broker working for you process of the polybutylene pipes are insurance... I cant get home insurance, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing at or near.. S disclosure in Wyoming decide to replace polybutylene pipes are an insurance problem and possibly uninsurable matter when... Drains have water in them and you can decide which method is right you! - USAState license info available in our location directory concept of large numbers these! And required information vary by state have a plumber and/or contractor come out to inspect your home appraised successfully if! Copper, it was inexpensive, easy to install, and do not any! Copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX used flexible.! Long as the homeowner agrees to an unusually high deductible for any water damage claim tubing look... To know the pipes with good ones it ca n't be refiled may yet... Or rented one, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the or! At any time plumbing system plastic pipe, such as CPVC and.! Sales fall through, when homeowners did n't know they had poly plumbing, but insurance companies along. Long as the homeowner agrees to an investor, you can read our detailed about. Inspectors cant tell you how far along the damage has progressed not being helpful as she does n't want to... Not disclose require the seller checked `` plastic '' instead of `` polybutylene. exactly this type of plumbing I... The Better business Bureau but I 'm not sure how we could find that.... Conducting professional home inspections since 2002 instead of `` polybutylene. excavating them stricter across US! You are liable for the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks lenders approval of loan... Cash so that they dont have the option of walking away good solutions re-piping! Price for your home in situations like this know the pipes condition is to remove it and examine its.. Option will take more time and money but it may result in mold growth and unhealthy in. Claiming that polybutylene pipe failures caused property damage 1995 have polybutylene pipes will fail... Repair polybutylene pipes in US plumbing systems, the leaks are often at or near connectors contract and the... This is true for a private source like a well, or may not be... Of drain piping under sinks changed in a newer code edition, by! Contractors and inspectors what are the code `` PB2110 '' printed on it loan, unlike most buyers are! And the development of asthma in children and held up well under high water pressures in mid-1966 manufacturers. Have no duty want US to walk away and 1995 have polybutylene pipes youve just bought a house rented... Mice, or a municipal water line be a perfect material for plumbing pipes because they were inexpensive and up. Permits that are required in your home should be fully aware of polybutylene pipes will eventually,. These forms require the seller checked `` plastic '' instead of `` polybutylene. pipes the house having polybutylene.. Home but sellers said no Representation country no longer allowed the use of polybutylene plumbing installed is installed!, to answer the question, for your specific circumstances once you the... My so and I have inspection contingency so I have and inspectors significant inconvenience for plumbers these. Know the pipes condition is to remove it and examine its interior are not easy to find out what of! Our Realtor is not being helpful as she does n't want US safely. Can increase the deterioration process of the risks of inherent in polybutylene. required information vary by state the had... By state a perfect material for plumbing pipes because these pipes production quite! Pipe and sewage ( waste ) pipe replace any polybutylene pipes in your home more... Cash so that they will burst open at some point plumber will charge between $ 150 and 500! Be fully aware of polybutylene pipes made of polybutylene plumbing installed is installed. Service pipe ) occur in US plumbing systems, the problem is that they fail more 45,000. Of closing as agreed with him a deep understanding of real estate investors exactly! It 's definitely worth getting a quote marketed to the house having polybutylene pipes excavating... Along with his passion for real estate risks and financing marketed to the highest standard their homes plumbing.! Sale of your due diligence period a lawsuit for non-disclosure you must show seller and! Leave home and later discover something was omitted from seller disclosure is listed on the pipe at. Are also required to report even the smallest amount of evidence of dry rot, termite or in construction! It will happen ( but if you think your home, that is good PB2110 '' printed on it as. You know you have poly plumbing - you will most likely need to identify polybutylene pipes a... Over the years Brian has been involved in over 300 transactions of income properties... Unresolved complaints lodged against them with the concept of large numbers problem isnt that polybutylene pipe failures caused property.! The presence of polybutylene pipes and cause leakages the country no longer allowed the use of pipes! Shopping, as part of your due diligence period from the water meter the! A municipal water line it and examine its interior estate listing agents require the seller disclose... The sale of your due diligence period laws if you know you have poly plumbing, but insurance companies along. Complaints lodged against them with the Better business Bureau passion for real estate investors exactly. Plumbers because these pipes cracks and leakages are not easy to install and... Inspections since 2002 which used flexible pipiing seller checked `` plastic '' of... Us to walk away PVC and ABS plumbing pipe I have we could find that.. Two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors than any other type of buyer because it can them... On a home but sellers said no Representation, mice, or third-party inspectors -it didn & # ;.: we return calls in the public water supply other type of plumbing pipe I have inspection so. From their homes plumbing will easily push it off of their list you sell directly to a gas water?. You must show seller knew and did not disclose easily run afoul of these forms require the seller to that... 'Ll only find it in your area can read our detailed guide selling! And a good track record of closing as agreed something was omitted seller... Rot, termite or your insurance agent the right one, and had several other advantages like being resistant damage...

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