Polybutylene pipes were often used to plumb homes and businesses from the late 1970's through the mid 1990's, especially in the southern US.
Polybutylene pipes, or "poly" pipes, were used extensively because they were cheap and easy to work with. Recently, however, it has been discovered that poly pipe has a major drawback.
The problem with poly piping is that the inside surface tends to deteriorate when it comes into contact with oxidants, such as chlorine, which are present in all water.
The fittings appear to be especially prone to deterioration. This causes leaks which often go unnoticed and has been the cause of much damage to homes and businesses, especially in the Acworth, GA area.
The signs of a water leak are often unnoticed, but include a rising water bill, water stains on walls and ceilings, mold and even pest infestations. Anyone who owns a home or business that was built or had plumbing work done to it between the late '70s to mid '90s, especially in the southern part of the country, should check to see if their structure is plumbed with poly pipes.
Poly pipe may be grey, white or blue, but other plastic pipes may also be these colors. Sometimes the material is marked on the outside of the pipe, but it is often illegible on pipes of this age. If you think you have polybutylene pipes, you may want to let us do a complete inspection of your plumbing. We have solved thousands of waterline problems in Acworth and the greater Atlanta areas over the last few decades.
So what should be done if an inspection reveals the presence of poly pipe? Many people decide that the pipe should be replaced. The pipes may not be leaking now, but with all of the problems experienced by home and business owners, it would be best to replace the polybutylene as soon as possible.
Water damage can go unnoticed by even the most attentive homeowner, and it can be very costly. Mold can be a devastating cost and a real health hazard.
Finally, there are a few things that should be considered when hiring a plumber to inspect for or replace poly pipe. For starters, any plumber that you allow to work on your home should be licensed. A license means the plumber has passed a test demonstrating sufficient knowledge about his or her trade.
In additional to being licensed, Atlantis Plumbing has replaced and repaired thousands of water lines throughout Acworth Georgia and the greater Atlanta Metro areas. We are a family owned and operated business and have some of the highest rated reviews on Google, BBB and Kudzu. Call us today and join the over 50,000 satisfied customers.