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polybutylene (pb) Quest piping
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Atlantic Re-Plumbing serves Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Delaware.

P.O. Box 4281
Ashburn, Virginia 20148

800-298-5317
703-726-3883
301-657-8555

Email Atlantic Replumbing: info@atlanticreplumbing.com

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  • What are Polybutylene Pipes

    Examples of polybutylene pipes:
    Acetyl Plastic Insert Fittings

    polybutylene (pb) quest pipes

    Polybutylene (PB) pipes, also known as Quest pipes, might be the pipes running throughout your home that supplies water you use everyday. PB pipes will leak without any warning causing thousands of dollars in damage.

    Polybutylene is a plastic material known as a co-polymer. It was widely used from the mid 70's to the mid 90's across the nation. At that time it was touted as the "pipe of the future." Polybutylene pipes are easily identified by the gray color and copper rings around the fittings where there are joints or directional changes in the pipe.

    What causes polybutylene pipes to deteriorate can be attributed to the oxidants in the water. Significantly more failures have occurred with the increased usage of chemicals like chlorine and bacteria fighting ingredients we use everyday. Polybutylene piping reacts to these oxidants by becoming brittle. The PB pipes then develop tiny micro cracks in the pipe. Just looking at the pipes may not give you any indication that there is a problem because the erosion and cracks start on the inside of the pipe. Be aware, what appears to be okay, may not be!

    PB pipe failures can range in severity, but once you find one leak you can be assured you will soon have more. The average PB pipe starts to leak after nine years. The older the pipes the more likely they are to fail. With polybutylene it is not a question of IF you will have a failure but a question of WHEN you will have a failure. It is important that you become pro-active in your efforts to prevent failures and the damage one failure can cause to your home.

    How do you recognize Polybutylene Pipes:

    The most effective way of identifying polybutylene pipe is to have your plumbing inspected by a licensed professional. While inspectors generally cannot determine if there is deterioration in polybutylene piping, licensed plumbers can confirm if you have polybutylene piping installed in your home.

    Typical characteristics of polybutylene piping include:

    Polybutylene piping can be used anywhere in your home’s plumbing system; usually, its presence can be ascertained by checking the attachments under household sinks, near hot water heaters or leading into toilets. Following is an overview of common places you may want to inspect for the presence of polybutylene piping:

    Interior:

    Exterior

    Another important area where polybutylene piping may have been installed is the incoming water supply line to your house. If the incoming pipe is a light blue plastic pipe, it is likely that you have a type of polybutylene pipe informally called “Big Blue”. This pipe is extremely prone to failure and unexpected bursting. If you have this type of pipe as an incoming water supply line, it is recommended that you have it replaced as soon as possible.