Twenty to thirty years ago, polybutylene was used in construction because it was cost effective and easy to install. The downside to polybutylene is that over time this piping will fail resulting in leakage and water damage. When it became apparent that polybutylene piping was failing, litigation ensued. As a result, properties containing this type of piping must now be re-piped in order to be sold.

There may be obvious and not so obvious signs that indicate that a property contains polybutylene piping. The piping itself is usually gray, blue, or black and has a diameter of an inch or less. Many property owners may not pay attention to the type of piping they have though. For them, the first sign of a problem is a rising water bill. Lower than normal water pressure may also indicate that a plumbing system is leaking. There may be soggy areas in the yard or higher than normal water runoff from the yard if part of the exterior system has failed. In the event of a major leak, substantial damage can occur to the interior of the property as well as to any personal items located within. Water spots on walls and ceilings and wet spots on flooring can also indicate possible problems. Furthermore, mold and mildew can also result from leakage and this can open the door for a host of health concerns as well.

For those needing to re-pipe a property that contains polybutylene, the question then becomes what product should be used to re-pipe. There are options such as copper and CPVC piping. However, the best option is Pex piping installed by a professional plumber. Pex is an abbreviation for a product known as cross-linked polyethylene.

Using Pex piping results in numerous advantages. One of the biggest is the flexibility of the piping. Greater flexibility makes Pex easy to install. The increased flexibility also results in fewer sharp turns in piping which in turn leads to better water pressure. Pex is also less expensive than alternatives such as copper. With copper theft being at an all time high, some in the scrap metal market have been known to steal copper. Since Pex is not a scrap metal, it is not very attractive to thieves. Pex is also less likely to develop the leaks than can occur with other piping systems. Finally, Pex can be used in conjunction with other piping through the use of special fittings.

Selling a property in today’s market requires making sure that the property is attractive, well-maintained, and without any system issues. For those trying to sell in the Orlando area, one system issue can be a plumbing system consisting of polybutylene piping. For property owners in this situation, professionally installed Pex piping is a great choice.

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