Found mainly in the southern US. 4. Polybutylene is the name of the polymer that the actual pipes are made from. An inspection report, and possibly the appraisers comments, will note the historical problems with polybutylene pipes. What are the abandoned pipes sticking out of the wall in my house? These variables . Is a hot water faucet handle required to be on the left? How do you accurately find a broken water pipe leak under the floor slab? Polybutylene (PB) piping was standard in homes built between 1978 and 1996. Their business model is to purchase properties that they can repair or upgrade. The final eligibility deadlines for this class action expired many years ago. Heres links to a collection of our other blog posts about PLUMBING PIPES: How can I protect my pipes to keep them from bursting during a hard winter freeze in North Florida? They buy houses for cash so that they dont depend on a lenders approval of their loan, unlike most buyers. Polybutylene is a type of plastic potable water plumbing commonly found in many US homes built from the late 1970's through to the mid-1990's. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If a seller does disclose square footage, it has to be accurate but there's no obligation for a seller to make the information public. Can galvanized steel pipe still be used for new water lines in a house? Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water? These modified designs used the same PB pipes, but with upgraded joints. They will keep the property and rent it to tenants. Even though polybutylene pipes are safe for drinking water, they will fail over time. Some investors are called house flippers. Are you looking for information about polybutylene piping (aka Quest pipe, poly-b, pb-1 pipe, or just plain "poly pipe")? The square footage of your home (but if you do disclose, you are liable for the accuracy of the square footage). There is quite a common misconception that replacing polybutylene pipes costs a lot of money and is likely to break the bank. All I can really say is good luck! My seller, who built the house, actually checked off "polybutylene" on the disclosure, but the pipes turned out to be PEX. Since our founding in 1991, we've been completing residential and multi-family building repipes to the highest standard. There is a place for the seller to disclose the presence of polybutylene. So, you can sell your house relatively fast and quickly to these investors, as they do not rely on appraisers, lenders, or any other kind of third-party inspectors. Look for online reviews and go to BBB.com to see if there are unresolved complaints lodged against them with the Better Business Bureau. The primary manufacturers of the pipe were Shell Chemical Company, Qest (pronounced "quest"), and Vanguard. In most cases, it boils down to time and money. Here's what the law requires on a seller's disclosure in Wyoming. And again, in 1989. If you think your home may have polybutylene pipes, have a plumber and/or contractor come out to inspect your home. Do you have to disclose polybutylene pipes to a homebuyer? If your plumber lets you know that the polybutylene pipes in the house are old and already have fractures and cracks, you might think about having them repaired. If the Seller wants to ignore the poly issue, ask them to sign a Release Agreement, indemnifying you of all potential liability. If the Seller refuses to return your money, you would have to file a lawsuit against the Seller. The most common questions are about disclosure requirements and your responsibilities to your client regarding Kitec and polybutylene. Even home inspectors cant tell you how far along the damage has progressed. foreclosure We allow you to close on your home with affordable Homeowners Insurance. Honestly, I don't think that the sellers were being dishonest or intentionally with holding the fact that the pipes are polybutylene. In all but three states (Alaska, California and South Dakota), sellers aren't required to disclose deaths from natural causes. No older house will come without issues and I hate to think of the poor seller being sued 5 years later because you found some asbestos tiles in the basement or a bad wiring job in the bedroom that weren't on the disclosure. Repiping the interior of your home will cost between $1,500 to $8,000 for Pex or CPVC pipes, and from $2,500 to $15,000 for copper. Now that you know who your as-is buyers are, where do you find them? With over 20+ years of experience in real estate investment and renovation, Brian Robbins brings extensive knowledge and innovative solutions to the HouseCashin team. However, these small leaks will eventually deteriorate the area surrounding them and, over time, will cause a great deal of damage regardless of the size of the leakage. Look around your water heater, pipes in attics or crawl spaces, piping across the ceilings of basements, and supply lines under sinks in cabinets. Lets start by looking at 2 available choices for preparing, marketing, and selling a home with polybutylene pipes. Why is it a problem? Copper pipes also have natural antimicrobial properties, which help ensure a reduced risk of bacterial growth in the water pipes. As weve mentioned, the uncertainty of buying a home that has polybutylene pipes creates a scary situation for most homebuyers. If If they can buy those properties for their current as-is value, and make or oversee the repairs for themselves, then they can realize an acceptable profit on their investment. We never would have ordered any of these inspections, appraisals, etc. If you are looking to purchase a home, look out for the signs of polybutylene piping as inspectors and realtors may not be required to disclose. Some states' disclosure laws are more comprehensive than others, and if a feature isn't on the list the seller may not be required to speak up. Even if you get a section of polybutylene pipe where the leakage or fracture is repaired, another major fracture is most likely found in a different area. I went back over our original contract and in the Disclosure Statement the seller checked "plastic" instead of "polybutylene." We completed all our inspections (structural, septic, water, pest, home), the bank ordered the appraisal, the Realtor hired the attorney. Seller didn't disclose polybutylene pipes in the Disclosure Statement My SO and I have a bid on a house in North Carolina and are in the due diligence period. The problem became so widespread and the damages so severe that many insurance companies will refuse to issue a homeowners policy to a home with polybutylene pipes in place, or may write the policy to exclude any damage resulting from failure. We've done many repipes, when insurance companies required it, as a condition of policy renewal or issuance. They can handle most of the diligence themselves and are the only decision-maker involved on their side of the deal. 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. You should understand that repiping in copper, or copper and CPVC is going to be expensive, and estimates are going to vary, so taking off a large chunk of the purchase price of a home may not cover the expense or the hassle. 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. You sell your home without having to spend the time and money needed to fix it. Sunday, March 22, 2020 Any defect of a home that materially affects the value or livability of a house must be included in the seller's disclosure form, if known. apartment I have inspection contingency so I have the option of walking away. Identifying polybutylene pipes can be tricky, as they appear similar to other plastic resin piping, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene. Here are some facts you should note: (1) a broker was sued in Virginia for not disclosing the fact that a home had polybutylene plumbing, (2) a property management firm is being sued for non-disclosure in the condo resale certificates, and (3) an inspection company was sued for failing to disclose poly in a hotel property. Real estate investors are exactly this type of buyer. That would confirm your plumbing is polybutylene. McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of, site-built, mobile/manfuactured and modular homes. Why can't a sanitary tee be used for a horizontal-to-horizontal drain pipe connection? Contact us to have one of our local estimators provide a free consultation and quote, delivered in-home or remotely. In this case, some buyers might demand you to replace the existing polybutylene pipes, and some might ask for a reduction in price so they can re-pipe the home after theyve bought it. I've never heard of anyone spending $3000.00 on an inspection. In order to know for certain if you have polybutylene pipes in your home, and their condition, you will need to hire a professional plumber. Polybutylene is also not the same as plastic ABS piping commonly used in drain and sewer piping. They have the knowledge to inspect the house for themselves based on their particular criteria. Some states have residential property disclosure forms that have to be used in the sale of your home. first time homebuyer, Press J to jump to the feed. A buyers mortgage lender will possibly require more extensive inspections that hold up your closing. Facts vs. Fiction 8. You and your family dont have to leave home and cool your heels somewhere while people are walking through your home. You just have to know who your prospective buyers are, where to find them, and what other factors of such a deal you should consider. How can I tell if I have cast iron pipes in my house? Remember, you cant tell what the inside of the pipe looks like. Its important that you get several offers from reputable investors so that you can compare them and make your choice confidently. You can, however, replace the polybutylene pipes with PEX piping. Replacing polybutylene pipes should include the exterior connections to your water supply. The options on the "what kind of material are the pipes made of" included "plastic" and "polybutylene" and said check all that apply. What are the code requirements for layout of drain piping under sinks? Polybutylene is a form of plastic pipe used in residential plumbing until the late-1990s. Whether it's snakes, mice, or bats, in most . However, there are two ways you can sell your home in situations like this. Evidence of that can prove that your seller is liable includes: Timeline testimony from your contractor You're correct that this makes the house harder to sell, and ultimately reduces the value if not re piped. What are the code requirements for plumbing vent terminations? If all the plumbing drains have water in them and you can still smell sewer gas, what's causing the problem? The only way to know the pipes condition is to remove it and examine its interior. Certain regions have unique disclosure issues. Most insurance companies will outright decline to insure a home with PB-pipe because of its history of failure. 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. This website is managed by 411 Locals and has been temporarily removed. Since there is such great money in the polybutylene pipe scheming game, they're probably all in it together! Since every individuals situation is unique, a qualified professional should be consulted before making financial decisions. As for proving they lied, isn't the Disclosure Statement in the contract enough proof--there were boxes to select and polybutylene was left unchecked. Over 8,500 inspections completed in 20+ years. If you're still not sure, call us. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. https://www.polybutylene.com/realtor.html. They dont have to rely on lenders, appraisers, or third-party inspectors. Many of them specifically require you to disclose whether or not you are aware of polybutylene piping on your property. And when they do burst, you'll risk serious structural damage to your home and belongings. Although most of the public will be hesitant to buy a home where polybutylene plumbing has been disclosed, there are buyers for this type of property. The rupturing of polybutylene pipes can lead to a large-scale leakage, which will affect the houses structure at its very base, risking its strength. In short -it didn't work. If you find a vendor who was previously in the house and alerted them to the fact that the pipes needed to be replaced you have proof. Polybutylene piping is usually gray, and you'll only find it in your fresh water potable plumbing system. What about polybutylene ("poly") pipes - are sellers/agents required to disclose? Asking if the seller plans to replace the current piping with copper or; Asking for a reduction in price that will cover a copper piping replacement once the home is purchased or: Looking at a home copper or up to code piping already in place. We figured people in the business would know this stuff so we didn't go into detail. However, copper pipes are exceptionally durable and, thus, will last a long time if you use these to replace fragile polybutylene pipes. Historically, there has been quite a lot of litigation around polybutylene plumbing. When it comes to removing polybutylene and installing a new plumbing system, our team of professionals exceeds all customer expectations. After that, building codes around the country no longer allowed the use of polybutylene pipes in new construction. Note: If a home is listed on the MLS (the local Multiple. Can You Sell a House with Polybutylene Pipes? They can also be flexible in setting a closing date that fits your needs. If you have the funds to make repairs but need to sell quickly, you will also want to look at an investor sale. Mandatory disclosure (M) of pipe material (lead not specifically addressed) or lead pipes if seller determines conditions unsafe (Example: State-required form asks, "Type of plumbing system: Copper/Galvanized/Plastic/ Polybutylene./Unknown/ Other") Wisconsin Voluntary disclosure (V) of lead pipes I am actually dealing with the same thing in Raleigh right now, although seller marked No Representation on the disclosure in my case. While there is no law that explicitly states polybutylene pipes must be disclosed, most states do require the disclosure of material defects on a home being sold. Check our price for ateam inspection by two FL-licensed contractors and inspectors. lending The seller: Nearly every U.S. state has laws requiring sellers to advise buyers of certain defects in the property, typically by filling out a standard disclosure form before the sale is completed. This does not include any repairs for water damage or mold. In some states, the seller must disclose polybutylene pipes as a material defect in the residential property disclosure form. Although, today, one of the most popular water pipes is PEX pipes. Polybutylene pipes are difficult to identify. However, Re-piping is a long process that can go on for a few weeks and will also cause a lot of mess around the house, and no one wants to deal with the mess after just having moved into their new home. If you find the tell-tale gray tubing, look for the code "PB2110" printed on it. We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. Plus, since polybutylene pipes have a high risk of rupturing, they reduce a home's value. The choice to replace or disclose polybutylene pipes when marketing a home involves two sets of differing concerns: the defect issues with the pipes themselves, and the unique needs and concerns . Our work is 100% guaranteed for life, and we are fully licensed in the states where we operate. Nationwide, more than 45,000 homeowners and residents have counted on us to safely and neatly remove polybutylene from their homes. Replacing your exterior water supply connections can cost from $600 to $2,400. Polybutylene water supply pipes broke in the ground outside homes causing soil erosion and foundation damage (if this has already happened to your property, here is an article about selling a house with foundation problems). In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX. The plumber will also help you identify any potential threats and risks the polybutylene pipes pose to the house. Many of them specifically require you to disclose whether or not you are aware of polybutylene piping on your property. Even if there is no doubt about what type of pipes you have, the condition cannot be determined by looking at the outside of the pipe. Why is old galvanized steel water pipe a problem for homebuyers? Polybutylene is a type of plastic potable water plumbing commonly found in many US homes built from the late 1970's through to the mid-1990's. Compared to copper, it was inexpensive, easy to install, and had several other advantages like being resistant to damage from freezing. That buyer will probably want to negotiate the asking price and reduce it because they have to replace the plumbing, costing them extra money. Houses are expensive things to own and unexpected bills can come up at any time. You only deal with the buyer. What are the code requirements for plumbing vent terminations? Check for a gray plastic pipe under sinks or in exposed areas in the basement or attic. Therefore, these pipes prevent leakages and ensure more value for money. 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