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I have these pipes in my home; unfortunately today I found out I have a leak underneath my crawl space! I understand there was a lawsuit about these pipes back in the late 90's. Someone other than me needs to pay for this! Has anyone in GA had any luck with someone else paying for this; this is crazy. If this was illegal pipes placed in homes then the lawsuit should still be on-going because people are finding this out when they have leaks...........ME for one.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I have these pipes in my home; unfortunately today I found out I have a leak underneath my crawl space! I understand there was a lawsuit about these pipes back in the late 90's. Someone other than me needs to pay for this! Has anyone in GA had any luck with someone else paying for this; this is crazy. If this was illegal pipes placed in homes then the lawsuit should still be on-going because people are finding this out when they have leaks...........ME for one.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Have you had a plumber check the leak and verify that the leak actually originates from the polybutylene pipes? Normally they either burst totally or leak at the crimped area. Also, how long have you owned the house? If it's been a while, it might be put back on you that you knew you had PB pipes and should have had them replaced already due to the possibility for leaks. It's one of the first things I did on my house.
Most problems with PB pipes were from city water systems that are chlorinated. They still get flagged in inspection reports from time time, but if the water chemistry is going to be a problem, they didn't often last this long. It's more than 20 years now since they were taken off the market.
We have PB pipes in our house... but we're on a well... no chlorine... so far so good.
Need to find out more than "I have polybutylene pipes".... other kinds of pipes can leak too, it depends why it's leaking.
Most problems with PB pipes were from city water systems that are chlorinated. They still get flagged in inspection reports from time time, but if the water chemistry is going to be a problem, they didn't often last this long. It's more than 20 years now since they were taken off the market.
We have PB pipes in our house... but we're on a well... no chlorine... so far so good.
Need to find out more than "I have polybutylene pipes".... other kinds of pipes can leak too, it depends why it's leaking.
I installed miles of PB in mobile and modular homes.
Workmanship was just as culpable in failure as was anything else.
The ongoing continual adjustments to tools and the standards were finicky. Mess up and you have a failure.
The crimpers had to be continually calibrated, and the fitting and rings had to be installed properly.
We have it through most of our 23 y.o. home, and I don't sweat it.
I might possibly replumb if we ever go to sell, just to take the PB conversation out of the mix.
There is nothing "illegal" about PB Piping, and it serves many many homes of that age without incident.
The PB Piping lawsuits were closed out years ago. There were class action settlements, and the funds were allocated and exhausted.
There was never a recall, just a class action judgment and a compensatory fund.
But it is no longer being produced, correct? I just bought a 30-year old house with PB pipes (and the apparently bad plastic fittings), but supposedly neither the previous (original) owners or the neighbors that they’re aware of had problems, so I am debating whether or not it is worth it to replace them. Most of what I’ve read says that they are no longer available, but I did have one plumber who actually recommended not repiping say that they are still in fact available to purchase.
OP, as others have said the class actions have closed and I believe even when they were open you had to have damage back then in order to make a claim. How long have you owned the home? 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.
But it is no longer being produced, correct? I just bought a 30-year old house with PB pipes (and the apparently bad plastic fittings), but supposedly neither the previous (original) owners or the neighbors that they’re aware of had problems, so I am debating whether or not it is worth it to replace them. Most of what I’ve read says that they are no longer available, but I did have one plumber who actually recommended not repiping say that they are still in fact available to purchase.
OP, as others have said the class actions have closed and I believe even when they were open you had to have damage back then in order to make a claim. How long have you owned the home? 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.
No, it is no longer produced.
I don't know how anyone can buy a house unaware of PB piping.
Must have picked a poor agent and a poor home inspector, or gone carelessly without either.
I installed miles of PB in mobile and modular homes.
Workmanship was just as culpable in failure as was anything else.
The ongoing continual adjustments to tools and the standards were finicky. Mess up and you have a failure.
The crimpers had to be continually calibrated, and the fitting and rings had to be installed properly.
We have it through most of our 23 y.o. home, and I don't sweat it.
I might possibly replumb if we ever go to sell, just to take the PB conversation out of the mix.
Poor installation can definitely be a huge part of the problem. And it continues now with PEX piping too. See small drips all the time from it.
It yeah, any home inspector should have pointed the PB out. And you’re right, most agents know to look for it too. Pretty easy usually. Just look for Grey pipe with PB 2110 printed on it. At least this one has the copper fittings.
I don't know how anyone can buy a house unaware of PB piping.
Must have picked a poor agent and a poor home inspector, or gone carelessly without either.
Mike is right. When you actually got an inspection report, this would have been on it.
The inspection report performed by a licensed inspector is the most important process of the homebuying process IMO. (and I'm a mortgage broker).
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I understand there was a lawsuit about these pipes back in the late 90's. Someone other than me needs to pay for this! Has anyone in GA had any luck with someone else paying for this; this is crazy. If this was illegal pipes placed in homes then the lawsuit should still be on-going because people are finding this out when they have leaks...........ME for one. 
This should up on the inspection report
