Many homes built from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s were plumbed with polybutylene pipe, a gray plastic supply line known for failing without warning.
If your home in Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna or anywhere in Cobb County was built or replumbed between the late 1970s and the mid-1990s, there is a real chance its water supply lines are polybutylene, a gray plastic pipe that was popular for its low cost and is now known for failing without warning.
Here is how to tell if you have it, why it matters, and what your options are.
Polybutylene is a flexible gray plastic water supply pipe widely installed from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. It is prone to sudden leaks and bursts, often at fittings, and many insurers and home buyers look for it. If your home has it, replacing it with PEX or copper through a whole-house repipe removes the risk.
For background on the failure history of polybutylene and the class-action settlement, see Wikipedia.
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How to identify polybutylene pipe
- Color: usually gray, sometimes blue or black outside the house. Interior polybutylene is almost always gray.
- Markings: look for “PB2110” or “PB” printed along the pipe.
- Where to look: at the water heater, under sinks, behind toilets, and in the crawlspace or basement where pipes are exposed.
- Fittings: plastic or copper crimp rings at the joints are common on polybutylene systems.
- Not polybutylene: red, blue or white PEX (usually stamped “PEX”), copper, or gray-metal galvanized steel.
Why polybutylene fails
Polybutylene was widely installed because it was cheap and quick to run. Over time it proved prone to breaking down from the inside, and failures often happened at fittings, sometimes with no warning at all. The problem led to widely publicized class-action litigation in the 1990s, and the pipe stopped being installed in new homes.
The risk isn’t a slow drip you notice early; it’s a sudden failure that floods a ceiling or floor while you’re at work or asleep.
Insurance and selling your home
Many home inspectors flag polybutylene, and some insurers ask about it or limit coverage. If you are planning to sell, buyers and their lenders may raise it in negotiations. Replacing it before listing removes the question.
Your options
- Whole-house repipe: replaces all supply lines with PEX or copper. This removes the risk entirely and is the usual recommendation.
- Partial replacement: sometimes used for exposed sections during a remodel, but leaves polybutylene elsewhere in the walls.
- Wait and watch: possible, but know where your main shutoff is and check exposed fittings regularly.
A repipe on a typical single-family home usually takes a few days, and most homes have water at the end of each work day.
Polybutylene Pipe: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have polybutylene pipe?
Look at exposed supply pipe at the water heater, under sinks or in the crawlspace. Gray, flexible plastic pipe, often stamped "PB2110", is polybutylene.
When was polybutylene pipe used?
It was widely installed in homes from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s.
Is polybutylene pipe dangerous?
It isn’t a health hazard, but it is prone to sudden leaks and bursts, often at fittings, which can cause serious water damage.
Should I replace polybutylene before selling my home?
Often, yes. Inspectors flag it and buyers or insurers may raise it. Replacing it removes the issue from the sale.
What replaces polybutylene pipe?
PEX or copper, usually through a whole-house repipe.
Replace Polybutylene Before It Fails
Whole-house repiping across Cobb and Paulding County. Financing available.