However, this is entirely false. first time homebuyer, Press J to jump to the feed. Polybutylene piping is usually gray, and you'll only find it in your fresh water potable plumbing system. If all the plumbing drains have water in them and you can still smell sewer gas, what's causing the problem? Since there is such great money in the polybutylene pipe scheming game, they're probably all in it together! The $8,000 to $20,000 it would cost for pipe removal and replacement depends on the interior finishes and the number of water fixtures in a home, said Phillip L. Feliciano, an attorney who has. How do you accurately find a broken water pipe leak under the floor slab? My house is more than 125 years old, and I dread having to sell it to someone like this. Over 8,500 inspections completed in 20+ years. This was dismissed in 2018 "with prejudice", meaning it can't be refiled. Historically, there has been quite a lot of litigation around polybutylene plumbing. Check our price for ateam inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. Secondly, they would need to be financially able to buy the house and then make the necessary repairs. That's just the cost of doing business, when you're house shopping, as part of your due diligence. And again, in 1989. Just my opinion. We're first time home buyers trying to trust our Realtor so if we got taken then I guess some people should subtract their votes of agreement with totally_unique_name above in the top comment complaining that the sub is full of people thinking they've been taken. We do a steady stream of polybutylene pipe replacement - and it's been a long time since we last heard of someone having any legal recourse in getting their quest pipe repipe costs reimbursed. Contact us by phone or email with any questions, or to schedule a no-obligation in-home (or remote) consultation with one of our Estimators. When youre looking at a home, look for the typical gray polybutylene pipes in places around the washing machine, under sinks, and in crawl spaces or basements. The tubing is typically 1/2" to 1" in diameter and is flexible. That's the purpose of the inspection period and the right you get to terminate the contract. Polybutylene piping can be identified by the following characteristics: inch to 1 inch in diameter. In your case asking for $50k discount plus $20k probably wouldn't work. Now that weve looked at the options for selling your house with polybutylene pipes, you can apply them to your circumstances. Facts vs. Fiction 7. What are the pipes sticking out near my water valves? Here at Repipe Specialists, ourrepiping services utilize only made-in-the-USA high quality copper (Grade L) or Uponor PEX tubing. In our experience - once you have one leak, you are likely facing a systemic issue, and other leaks will follow. Does a Seller Have to Disclose Polybutylene Pipes? Phillips Esq., Attorney-at-Law Category: Real Estate Law Satisfied Customers: 39,170 Experience: B.A. Citizens Property Insurance does not cover claims that pertain to these pipes. Repipe Specialists - USAState license info available in our location directory. Therefore, unfortunately, getting the polybutylene pipes in your house fixed or exchanged is no option. We will get it done for you. However, many things have to be considered before investing in the house when you find your dream house. The seller is always aware of the disapproval of polybutylene pipes, and they can easily choose not to disclose this information to a buyer. The entire process is simplified for you. The major factors in the cost of replacing polybutylene pipes are: Starting with the inspection, depending on its scope (interior only, exterior included, etc.) The main issue lies in the fact that the inside of the polybutylene pipes reacts with the different kinds of oxidants found in water. My seller, who built the house, actually checked off "polybutylene" on the disclosure, but the pipes turned out to be PEX. Inside, your contractor will locate the pipes in your home. Research suggests that polybutylene pipes are prone to becoming brittle and cracking inside out, eventually leading to leakage. Interview several and check their references. This website is managed by 411 Locals and has been temporarily removed. We offer no interest for 12 months if paid in full. I think you are correct to worry about it, and if she has those pipes in her house she's in denial that it won't impact her ability to sell at some point or cause her expensive repairs. Suppose youve just bought a house or rented one, and after some inspection, you find out that the housing has polybutylene pipes. I've got it! Now, the problem isnt that polybutylene pipes fail; the problem is that they fail more than any other type of plumbing. Exterior repiping will add to that estimate. In some states, the seller must disclose polybutylene pipes as a material defect in the residential property disclosure form. In reality, getting polybutylene pipes replaced does not cost more than, for example, recarpeting your home would cost you. Can You Get Home Insurance With Polybutylene Pipes? Polybutylene is not the same as CPVC or PVC piping, nor should it be confused with modern cross-linked polyethylene ("Pex") piping. "Don't worry about it" would be my last dealings with her as a realtor. They can handle most of the diligence themselves and are the only decision-maker involved on their side of the deal. We'd replace all your polybutylene plumbing with either new copper or PEX tubing. Unfortunately, if you still have poly plumbing, and did not participate in prior polybutylene class-actions, your legal options are likely very limited. They were often sold under the brand name Quest, and can be referred to with a variety of terms; including PB, PB-1, poly-pipes, or poly-b pipe. These variables . Are Polybutylene Water Supply Pipes Bad? No, I'm not looking to sell my house fast. Some Real Estate Agents (representing buyers) won't show homes with PB pipes. Of course, the price depends on the size of the house, the number of rooms if you do it yourself or hire a plumber, and of course, the type of pipes you buy. Florida case law provides that, with some exceptions, a home seller must disclose any facts or conditions about the property that have a substantial impact on its value or desirability and that others cannot easily see for themselves. In all but three states (Alaska, California and South Dakota), sellers aren't required to disclose deaths from natural causes. Look for online reviews and go to BBB.com to see if there are unresolved complaints lodged against them with the Better Business Bureau. landlord Manufacturers stopped producing PB-pipe . Depending on your market and the condition of your property, they may not offer you full market value for your home. What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe? Almost all real estate listing agents require the seller to disclose the use of polybutylene pipes in the property. I went back over our original contract and in the Disclosure Statement the seller checked "plastic" instead of "polybutylene." If you have the funds to make repairs but need to sell quickly, you will also want to look at an investor sale. foreclosure Replacing polybutylene pipes should include the exterior connections to your water supply. Honestly, I don't think that the sellers were being dishonest or intentionally with holding the fact that the pipes are polybutylene. financing "Usually, they've already [replaced the pipes] because they've been made aware when they bought the house." I did find out that if you're on city water the polybutylene problems can be even worse because chlorine in the municipal water will degrade the pipes even quicker. By the 1990s, however, problems had begun to surface. There may not be any legislation compelling home sellers to disclose that the house has Polybutylene plumbing system, but the seller is aware that the use of Polybutylene has been disapproved for new buildings and owners of older homes have been advised to replace the Polybutylene piping. Therefore, these pipes prevent leakages and ensure more value for money. Polybutylene pipe is a gray plastic tubing that was commonly used as a water-supply plumbing pipe between 1978 and 1995, at which time it was discontinued due to reports of pipes rupturing. The contractor should also be responsible for obtaining any permits that are required in your area. for ateam inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. If you are a seller, you should disclose all known conditions that the buyers need to know about the property including the likelihood of leaky pipes. $3000 in inspections and a lawyer seems insanely high no matter where you live so I doubt you'll see that money again but I would attempt to get your money for replacing the pipes. However, being a seller, you should disclose all the necessary information about the house, including polybutylene pipes. Finding out that your dream house has polybutylene pipes can be discouraging, and it might sway your decision on whether to buy the home and rightfully so, these types of pipes can be risky. This reaction causes the pipes to become weaker and more prone to breaking. Historically, there has been debate about why poly-pipes have failed. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. ; M.B.A.; J.D. For this, you will need to start interviewing contractors and checking their references. Also in 1989, a totally different design emerged which used flexible pipiing. Even though most potential buyers would hesitate to go for a house with polybutylene pipes, there are always specific buyers interested in it these type of properties, as we have discussed earlier. If you decide to replace Polybutylene pipes in your home, that is good. They will keep the property and rent it to tenants. Your contractor should talk to you about whether its possible to leave the existing pipes in place and re-route the water through the new pipes. Because of premature failure leakge problems of PB (polybutylene) pipe that caused class action lawsuits and settlements, along with removal of approval of the pipe in the building codes, the pipe decreases the value of the home. It is estimated that a lot of homes built during that time still have the original plumbing in place. Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? What to Know When Buying a Home With Polybutylene? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The price of PEX pipes ranges between $0.40 to $2.0 per linear foot, depending on the diameter of the pipe. Any defect of a home that materially affects the value or livability of a house must be included in the sellers disclosure form, if known. Why is polybutylene piping bad? Enter a valid a 10-digit phone number as ###-###-####. If you have time to sell but you dont have the funds to make the needed repairs, you will probably want to consider selling to an investor. Also the pipes were not disclosed by the seller. First of all, yes, you can sell your home with polybutylene water pipes. What is the difference between green and white sewer drain pipes? Code requirements cited may have been changed in a newer code edition, or may not yet be adopted in your area. Simply use the form on HouseCashin.com to request a no-obligation cash offer on your property. It does not make you 100% uninsurable. They suggest the sellers either bring the market price of the house down such that the buyer could make the necessary replacement or replace the system on their own with copper pipes. 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