Have a Plumbing Emergency? Call or Text 719-491-8104
7:30a - 4:00p
Monday - Friday
Jolly
Plumbing
& Heating
Locally Owned & Operated since 1955
Colorado Springs Polybutylene Pipe Repair Near Me
Polybutylene pipe is probably not a product you are going to hear about from your local Colorado Springs plumber, but back in the ’80s and early ’90s, it was used extensively as an alternative to copper pipes which were much more expensive. This type of gray plumbing material quickly gained a reputation for rupturing and not responding well to water pressure over time which prompted the transition to other materials like PVC and PEX. Unfortunately, there are still many homes and trailers in Colorado that have Polybutylene pipes installed. Contact our Colorado Springs plumbers today for Colorado Springs polybutylene pipe repair and replacement.
Jump to a Section
What is Polybutylene Plumbing?
Polybutylene is a plastic resin that was created using a series of chemicals in the 1970s. Originally the inexpensive resin material was touted as the material that would eventually replace copper pipes in every home. But as the years went on and local plumbers responded to more and more house calls in which faulty Polybutylene plumbing was the culprit, opinions quickly changed from optimism to disdain.
How to Repair Polybutylene Pipes
Since Polybutylene pipes are no longer used in new construction, finding the parts to repair a plumbing issue can be difficult. Depending on the size of the damaged area, your Colorado Springs plumber may suggest transitioning the whole system from the existing Polybutylene pipes to a newer material such as PEX. This solution can be costly, so there are other options, including repairing one piece of the plumbing system at a time using specially designed parts.
-
Pinhole leaks can be repaired by using what are called push-fit fittings. These fittings are incredibly strong and are designed to go over the top of an existing pipe. For an outdated material like Polybutylene, push-fit fittings are the only option to repair pinhole leaks.
-
For larger repairs that go beyond pinhole leaks, whole sections of pipe will need to be replaced. This is a great option if you don’t have the funds to get the plumbing system replaced all at once. With the use of push-on couplings, your Colorado Springs plumber near you will essentially combine the existing Polybutylene pipe with newer material such as copper or PEX. Though not a permanent solution, this will buy the homeowner time and get the plumbing system back into working order.
How to Replace Polybutylene Pipes in your Colorado Springs Home
If you have decided to replace the entire plumbing system at once, it will ultimately be a better choice in the long term. The reason is all Polybutylene plumbing has been shown to fail over time, and it is better to be proactive and transition to something else before you are dealing with a ruptured pipe or even flooding.
Pipe replacement will always begin with one of our talented plumbers coming out to your home to inspect the existing plumbing and provide you with a bid. Depending on the material you choose and how large your home is, costs can range anywhere from $1,500 - $15,000. After providing the bid our team will develop a plan to replace every piece of Polybutylene pipe with newer and more reliable materials that will lengthen the life of your plumbing system exponentially.
Contact us today for Colorado Springs polybutylene pipe repair and replacement. If you are concerned that you have Polybutylene piping in your home and are unsure of how to find out give our knowledgeable team a call today. We will walk you step by step through the entire process.
Colorado Springs Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Review
Here’s what Jimmie Richardson in Rapid City had to say about us on Google:
"We have our house under contract and when inspection occurred, the inspector said we have to remove all of the main level and upper bathroom piping...which is poly-b. We NEVER had a problem with the poly-b piping and it's been 22 years. This came as a surprise to us and we reached out to our realtor for recommendations of quality plumbing.
I contacted the two recommendation and they both did the estimate on the Friday after I called stating I needed this done ASAP. Jolly came in and did a THROUGH assessment of the project. Steve stated he would have the estimate to me NLT Monday by 1500. he exceeded that; I had it by 1130. i had a good feeling about him and his company, but I waited for the other bid. I did not receive it from the other company.
The work started on Wednesday (20Apr16) and was done 21April16....the estimate on completion initially was 2.5 days....THEY BEAT IT.
If EVER plumbing is needed, I HIGHLY recommend Jolly. Cheryl was JOLLY initially and every time I called. Steve and the "A" team (Lee and Joshua) are AWESOME."
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date: 12/8/2016
Common Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Questions
Should Polybutylene Pipes Be Replaced?
Polybutylene pipes were used starting back in the 1970s and up until the 1990s when it was found that these pipes weren’t holding up as expected. The different chemicals that are put into the water supply, such as chlorine and fluoride, are safe for our consumption but, over time, weaken the materials in polybutylene pipes. That means that these pipes are often an accident waiting to happen when they aren’t replaced in a timely fashion.
It takes about 10 to 15 years for these types of pipes to deteriorate. If your pipes are polybutylene and older than 10 to 15 years, you may be enjoying the borrowed time before something terrible happens. It can be an excellent idea to have a professional Colorado Springs plumber inspect your lines and get an idea of the best way to go around having them replaced. Waiting too long for replacement may result in a huge mess to clean up. Depending on where the pipes burst, it could not only mean a lot of water damage, but you may not have water in your home until the repairs and replacement can be made. It’s often the best idea to handle your pipe replacement before it gets to that point.
Are Polybutylene Pipes Safe?
A person hearing that polybutylene pipes need to be replaced in their home even when they aren’t leaking may worry that polybutylene pipes aren’t safe. In fact, the material is safe when it comes to drinking water. The pipes have no safety issues for your family’s health and well-being so it is not a plumbing emergency. However, the fact that the material these pipes are made out of fails easily over a much shorter period of time than other materials makes it necessary to have it removed. Slow leaks, water damage, mold growth, and even more significant incidents when pipes burst can all lead to unsafe conditions in your home that are expensive to fix. It’s a more economical choice to have your old polybutylene pipes replaced. Contact us today for Colorado Springs polybutylene pipe repair and replacement.
How Can You Tell If a Pipe Is Polybutylene?
Are you starting to wonder if the pipes in your home are polybutylene? You can use some clues to identify polybutylene pipes in your home. You’ll want to start in places where the lines are exposed and easy to see. You may want to check areas in your basement, under your sinks, by the water meter, or by your water shut-off valves.
Once you’ve found some pipes to investigate, here are some identifying features of polybutylene.
-
Color: Polybutylene is often gray, blue, or black in color. Most commonly, it’s gray.
-
Markings: Typically, you’ll see a marking of PB2110 on polybutylene pipes.
-
Size: Pipes of this material are usually between ½” to 1” in diameter.
Polybutylene is not meant to be used for vent piping, drains, or waste, so even if these pipes that are visible aren’t polybutylene, there is still a chance that you may have these types of lines in your home. One of the issues with identifying the types of pipes in your home is that in most of your home, the pipes are hidden in the walls or covered by dirt and dust from over the years. When you’re in doubt, you can always call in the professionals to verify the types of pipes and create a plan for removal if they do find polybutylene in your home.
Contact an Experienced Colorado Springs Plumber for Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Near You
Contact us your local Colorado Springs plumber today at 719-473-8545 for Colorado Springs polybutylene pipe repair and replacement. Jolly Plumbing is your local plumbing and heating company. We promise to offer you upstanding customer service, experienced workers, and a job done right the first time. We offer affordable plumbing services to both residential and commercial sites, so no matter the size of your job, we can handle it.
