Copper piping is traditionally used in plumbing due to its rigidity, but it is very expensive and the price is constantly rising.

The acidity of the water should be considered as it can cause a problem with pinholes leaks; however, copper is very durable. Copper pipes are fire and earthquake resistant and all localities approve its use in plumbing.

Copper piping is excellent for tight spaces and the small size of the pipes allows installation in most instances.

The Pipe of the Future

Polybutylene piping, hailed as the "pipe of the future," was introduced in the late seventies. The cost was a fraction of other types of piping and it was easy to install. It quickly came to popularity and was used in homes throughout the Sun Belt, the section of the country stretching from the southeast to the southwest from roughly 1978 through 1995:

  • California
  • Nevada
  • Arizona
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Alabama
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • South Carolina
  • North Carolina

Experts estimate that polybutylene piping was used in 6 to 10 million homes during this period.

Polybutylene use was discontinued when it came to light that pipes made of this material are subject to fail when subjected to oxidants such as chlorine in the water that cause minuscule cracks or fractures, as the pipes become brittle from interior flaking of the material.

This issue can cause a sudden and complete breakdown of the system, leaving behind thousands of dollars worth of damage in its wake.

The Pipe of the Lawsuit

Once the details of the failure began to emerge, Class Action lawsuits were quickly filed on behalf of homeowners who, as a class, stood to face hundreds of millions in damages.

The suit alleged both manufacturing defects and improper installation and promised the chance to have the home's polybutylene piping replaced at no charge as well as a chance to recoup any damages caused by pipe failure.

The lawsuit also alleged that the manufacturer's claims regarding the longevity of the pipes "turned out to be exaggerated" and stating the piping, instead of lasting "a lifetime" as advertised, lasted less than a decade. Even homeowners who have Polybutylene piping but have not suffered pipe failure are affected since all existing plumbing will have to be replaced.

Some homeowners of a property with this type of plumbing have even been turned down for homeowner's insurance and/or had existing insurance canceled. Until the repairs have been made to remove the affected piping and replace with copper or another type of piping, the value of the property will be severely affected.

The manufacturers, in one of the largest settlements in history, agreed to pay damages, initially funding the Class Action suit with $950 million although they have never admitted their materials were faulty.

What Happens Now?

The time to get in on the Class Action lawsuit has expired, but if you suspect or know that your Georgia home has or may have this type of plumbing, you should definitely contact a licensed plumber to have it checked and/or replaced. The procedure is relatively inexpensive and the money you spend on replacement is well worth it in light of the potential damages.

One of the issues with polybutylene pipes is the inability to see the damage before the dam bursts. Since the damage comes from contact with tap water, the damage can't be seen until it is too late.

This material, although said to have a long lifespan in the beginning, is now only expected to last for 10 to 15 years. If your home is older than 15 years, and you live in the Sun Belt, the time to have this problem fixed is ticking away.

You can do your own cursory inspection to see if you can spot these types of pipes in the areas that are easy to access. Look for places where the plumbing comes into the house from a basement wall or crawl space, check near water heaters, under the vanity for pipes connecting to the sink, around bathtubs and toilets.

The material itself is usually gray, white or even black in some cases and has a diameter between 1/2" to 1." There are other pipes that are plastic-like and are usually black, gray or blue called PEX. This type of pipe is safe.

In any case, you should have a professional inspection which can detect if your house is harboring this dangerous pipe. Should you despair at the expense of replacing what seemed to be an inexpensive durable plumbing system, stop and remember what can happen should the pipes burst and flood your house.

That is a potential loss, not just of material goods, but things like family pictures, heirlooms and other sentimental possessions that can never be replaced.

Homeownership and the joys of having a place of your own also come with the downside of repairs and maintenance, and, if you are a renter, the landlord is left holding the bag, but, even with the ups and downs, building equity in a home that is your own is worth it in the long run.