Polybutylene pipe discovered during home inspection
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Anonymous
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Water distribution PB pipe discovered during home inspection ( from water main to the house) but the interior pipe is cooper. Seller doesn't seem want to replace PB pipe and only wants to give us $2k as credit.
Any thoughts? Has anyone had seller replace pipe before closing ? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| Depending on where you are, replacing the stem from the main to your home can take up to a year and can cost $10k or more (WSSC.) Would suggest you bargain for higher credit...seller won't realistically be able to do the work. |
Anonymous
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Get a quote for how much it would cost to replace. That's the only way. I don't see how it could take up to a year unless there are permits involved - just not familiar with this piece.
Do you know the distance from the mains to your home? |
Anonymous
| Op here. Got a quote from plumber and it will cost $5800 to replace to copper. |
Anonymous
This happened to us. We were very worried but the sellers friend told him he would have to replace it. (Thanks friend!) So the sellers did it. Mucked up the grass in the front yard, which sucked, but it saved us $5k that it would have cost us to do it. |
Anonymous
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^^^Just wanted to add that the work only took 1 day.
Is it a late 80's/early 90's house, I assume? I wouldn't let it scare you. If you want the house, get as much as you can from the sellers and get the work done. If you walk away, they will have to disclose the pipe to future buyers. It was recalled. |
Anonymous
| You are right to pursue this. You will be very sorry if it's not corrected. The seller should have the work done or comp you the $5800. Don't let them short change you. |
Anonymous
| DO people still use cooper, i thought that was so 1970s? Cooper is too expensive, nowadays they use plastics, no? |
Anonymous
| Skip copper, pin hole leaks, expensive and hard to work with. Both labor and materials for cpvc would be cheaper. |
Anonymous
Sometimes, especially for main lines coming into the home. CPVC is the standard for interior piping, with PEX now common in new construction for distribution lines (manifolds still need to be copper.) PEX has mixed review in terms of longevity, but it is easy to work with and cheaper and faster for plumbers. |
Anonymous
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Too many horror stories about poly pipes. You think everything is fine, then come home one day to horrific damage. I would insist the seller replace or walk.
I know there was a class action suit on this issue. Actually two. I always wondered how much each house got to put towards replacing. |
Anonymous
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OP again. Thank you all for your responses. We did go back to the seller asking for the comp. We are not asking for any other items on the home inspection report but just to replace PB pipe.
IF the current PB pipe is working, does the seller still have to disclose for any future sale? |
Anonymous
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Sorry to hear about your experience with the PB pipes. I am in the market for a home now. So, as I am moving forward in my search..., may I ask are you in DC, MD or VA? Thanks.
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Anonymous
| what city are you in? if needed, know someone who can help with the repairs. |
Anonymous
| OP here. The property is in Burke, VA. |