Replacing Poly B with Pex Water Lines
Good afternoon! My name is Adrian Hinse, with Hinse Brothers Mechanical out of Sherwood Park. Today, I’m going to talk to you about Polybutylene Waterline replacement and why it’s important for your home.
What Is Polybutylene Piping?
Polybutylene piping was installed in homes from around 1978 to 1995. At the time, it was seen as the new and improved waterline—easy to run, flexible, and cost-effective. It seemed like a great alternative to copper piping. However, in the early 1990s, it was discovered that Polybutylene had significant defects. Over time, the material would start to leak at the fittings, and it was also susceptible to oxygen penetrating the pipe, which caused further issues. Due to these problems, Polybutylene was discontinued and replaced with PEX material, the white waterline you often see in homes today.
Why You Need to Replace Poly B Pipes
Homes built between 1978 and 1995 may still have Poly B waterlines, and these need to be replaced. At Hinse Brothers Mechanical, we started replacing these pipes for our customers several years ago. This is especially important if you’re trying to sell your home, as new owners may have difficulty getting insurance if Polybutylene piping is still in place.
Our Replacement Process
When you contact us, We’ll come to your home and do a walk-through to check the number of bathrooms and assess the overall setup. From there, I can provide an estimate for replacing your waterlines. The replacement process typically involves opening up walls in certain areas, changing the waterlines, updating valves for showers and tubs, and installing new manifolds in the basement. We’ll replace any Polybutylene lines in your home with the updated PEX Type A product.
Timeline for Polybutylene Replacement
It usually takes about three to four days to complete a Polybutylene changeover. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include wall repairs, which can take about another week to complete, including painting. Fortunately, we work with trusted contractors who can handle this part of the job for you.
Options for Staying in Your Home
If you prefer to stay in your home while the work is being done, that’s totally fine. We just ask for a bit of space during the day so we can do our job efficiently. We also ensure that at least one bathroom remains functional during the process, so you don’t have to leave your home or incur the expense of staying in a hotel.
Alternatively, we can mask off the entire house to keep dust out, although we pride ourselves on keeping the job site clean and tidy. We aim to work with our customers to meet their specific needs during the project.
The Risks of Polybutylene Piping
It’s hard to predict when a leak might occur with Polybutylene pipes. Some homeowners, like myself, are lucky enough to avoid leaks, but eventually, they will start happening. If you’re leaving for an extended period, such as a holiday, and you still have Polybutylene waterlines, I highly recommend turning off the water to your home before you leave.
The Benefits of PEX Waterlines
PEX waterlines come with a 25-year warranty, and they have already outperformed Polybutylene in homes for nearly 30 years. At Hinse Brothers Mechanical, we prefer to use Type A PEX, which is a commercial-grade material that we source from trusted plumbing wholesalers. It’s a durable option that provides long-lasting results, especially compared to the older Polybutylene pipes.
Common Issues with Leaks
Leaks typically occur at the fittings, corners, or on hot water lines. While most leaks start small, such as a pinhole leak, if left undetected, they can cause significant damage. In some cases, catastrophic leaks can happen, leading to a massive spill all at once. These leaks are especially common in the hot water lines.
Our Experience with Polybutylene Replacement
We’ve been replacing Polybutylene waterlines for about four years now, doing three to five replacements each month. Our customers have been consistently happy with the results, and we haven’t had any complaints.
What We Replace During the Process
In most cases, we can keep your existing fixtures, including toilets and faucets. However, we do recommend replacing the rough-in valves for showers and tubs. Since we need to access the wall behind these fixtures to change the waterlines, it’s a great opportunity to update these older valves, which are often 30 to 40 years old. You’ll have the option to replace them with new ones that we provide, or you can supply your own.
Warranty and Longevity
We provide a one-year installation warranty on all of our work, and the PEX waterlines come with a 25-year warranty. We also use brass fittings, which are more durable than plastic ones and ensure a longer lifespan for your plumbing system.
Home Waterline Systems
The complexity of the replacement process depends on how your waterlines were originally installed. In some homes, there is a manifold system (also known as a home run system) where each fixture has its own waterline connected directly to a central manifold in the mechanical room. This is the system we typically switch to during the replacement process, but it can be more intrusive, requiring us to cut additional holes in walls and ceilings.
In other homes, there may be a branch line system where a larger waterline branches off to supply different fixtures. In this case, we need to access each connection point to remove and replace the Polybutylene lines.
Contact Us
If you’re concerned about Polybutylene waterlines in your home, give us a call at (780) 999-6900 or send us an email at info@hinsemechanical.com. I’d be happy to come out, assess your home, and provide a detailed quote. We’ll answer any questions you have and make sure you’re set up for a smooth and worry-free replacement process. Thanks for joining me today, and we look forward to helping you with your waterline needs!