Read Our Reviews         
Careers contact us today! 208-745-9406

Back to blog

The Problem with Polybutylene Pipes (and What to Do if You Have Them in Your Home)


Plumbing

What’s Wrong with Polybutylene Pipes?

Between the years of 1978 and 1995, manufacturers switched from making pipes out of copper and began using polybutylene, a more affordable plastic resin typically found in shades of dull gray or white. It is estimated that roughly 10 million homes were built with polybutylene pipes during the construction boom of the 1980s and 90s.

Despite its prevalence, polybutylene has proved to be in adequate to meet the demands of home plumbing systems. Pipes made of polybutylene tend to wear down and are often slowly eaten away from the inside as they interact with oxidants in the water, making it difficult to gauge the strength or functionality of a given pipe from an outward inspection.

If you have polybutylene pipes in your home, it is only a matter of time until they burst, causing a very expensive mess and costly re-piping.

What Should I Do if I Have Polybutylene Pipes in My Home?

To find out if you have polybutylene pipes in your house, check the color of the pipes and identify those that are white, grey, black or blue. They are usually between .5” and 1” in diameter and often run underground, entering the home through places like basements, typically close to a home’s water heater. They are also often visible in basements and typically run along the walls or across the ceiling.

Plumbing Service in Idaho Falls, ID

If you have polybutylene pipes in your home, act immediately and call Advanced Home Services for help with re-piping and installation of new plumbing fixtures that will last. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you resolve any piping problems you may have, even in case of an emergency.

We’re ready to help at the drop of a hat! Call 208-745-9406 to get your free estimate or contact us online to request a service.

Request service

Sidebar

  • By submitting, you authorize Advanced Home Services to reach you via call, email, or text messages with offers and other information about your project’s needs. Message/data rates apply. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

maintenance program
Priority Service
High Performance
Tune-Ups
10% Discounts
No Emergency
Service Fees
Transferable
What Our
Customers Are Saying

Noah was fantastic!!! He was very knowledgeable, courteous, and friendly. He kept us in the loop with diagnosing problems and the charges that would come along with it. He was incredible giving us options to best help us in our circumstances. We would highly recommend!

Bryan

Amazing service! Everyone I worked with was knowledgeable and professional. Advanced home service always has our best interest in mind. We will continue to use their services for all of our home needs. Thank you all from the diagnosis team, salesman and installation crew. You guys are the best!

Frances

I have never encounter someone like Shawn H. He was here for hours at a very low price. Not only was he thorough he was so kind and very considerate. He did an amazing job keeping me informed and I would hire him again if needed... Shawn you are wonderfully amazing. Thank you so much for your time!

Penny

Called Advanced Home Services to schedule a routine furnace cleaning. Stewart did a great job and even tagged all our gas and water line so we would know which lines to shut off in case of an emergency. He was very friendly and helpful. I will be calling these guys for any future plumbing and heating issues that may pop up.

Shannon

When Robert C came for a routine check found a leak under my kitchen sink. He discovered the main source of the problem and had the time to fix it right away before it became worse. He did a fantastic job and went above and beyond what was required. He was very friendly and so helpful and did a fantastic job.

JoAnn
proudly serving
southeast idaho
Rigby | Blackfoot |
Idaho Falls | Pocatello |
Rexburg | Shelley
& The Surrounding Cities