The Importance of Replacing Poly-B Plumbing Lines
Poly-B plumbing lines are most often talked about in regards to the issues that they can cause in the home, specifically leaks and other problems with the water line. To find out more about Poly-B plumbing lines and why it is so important that you have them replaced as soon as possible, read on to find out what they are, why they cause problems–and what you, as a homeowner, can do about it.
What Are Poly-B Plumbing Lines, Anyway?
Poly-B plumbing lines are plumbing lines made with polybutylene, which is a type of plastic resin. Poly-B plumbing lines are run inside interior wall spaces and interior floor spaces throughout the home. Poly-B plumbing lines were created in the 1960s due to a copper shortage which led to massive spikes in the cost of copper and an increasing need for alternatives to products made from copper, such as plumbing lines. Poly-B plumbing lines were created during this period; when plastic and petroleum-based products saw a massive spike in production.
Poly-B plumbing lines were common well into the 1990s; in addition to being less expensive to make, they were also considered easier for plumbers to install; for instance, Poly-B plumbing lines were connected with crimping rings on plastic components, rather than needing to be soldered together with a soldering gun.
The Problem with Poly-B Plumbing Lines
Poly-B plumbing lines were less expensive to produce and easier to install, but there is one primary problem with Poly-B plumbing lines: the chemistry of polybutylene plastic resin. The molecule bond on polybutylene is made with a single bond, which is a weak chemical bond that causes the plastic material to degrade when exposed to UV rays, chlorine and to be weak to physical manipulation.
In many cases, the plumbing lines were damaged before they ever entered a home–they were exposed when they were stored outside in warehouse yards, causing a weakness in the material that would result in tiny pinholes over time due to the physical pressure on the resin from water sources. These tiny pinhole leaks only get worse over time, creating larger leaks and even more water damage.
What to Do If You Have Poly-B Plumbing Lines
The best thing you can do if your home has Poly-B plumbing lines is to have them replaced, especially if the lines have already sprung a leak in the past and needed to be repaired. It will only be a matter of time before the already-weakened plastic leaks again, causing further physical damage and financial damage due to the need for repairs.
The best replacements are copper plumbing lines, but copper can be expensive, which is why you will want to consider other materials such as PEX plumbing lines. PEX plumbing is a cross-linked polyethylene which is a rigid plastic that cannot be bent by hand–nor does it degrade when exposed to chlorine or UV rays.
If you are ready to have your home’s Poly-B plumbing lines replaced, contact Golden Acre Renovations today. We will ensure that your plumbing lines are properly installed and that your home will look better than ever with our variety of premier renovation services.
