What Are PB Pipes ... And Why Don't They Use Them Anymore?
By Melanie Dawn
June 15, 2025
Imagine relaxing in front of your TV on a Friday night and suddenly, you hear a loud pop. The next thing you notice is water on the floor. As horrific as this sounds, this nightmare could be a reality for homeowners with PB pipes. Between 1975 and 1995, new homes usually used polybutylene pipes as a cheap and easy plumbing system. However, as inexpensive as the pipes were, they were problematic from the start.
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If you’re unfamiliar with PB pipes and curious about what they are, why they're no longer used and if your home still has this type of system, keep reading.
What Is a PB Pipe?
Polybutylene, or PB, is a flexible plastic resin that was once used as an alternative to expensive copper piping. It was cheap to manufacture, lightweight and easy to install. It was also strong enough to withstand freezing temperatures. When it was most popular and new home construction was on the rise, it was used in piping systems and residential water supply lines in more than 10 million homes across the United States.
Also referred to as poly or quest piping, PB seemed like a perfect solution for those looking for an affordable plumbing system. However, it didn’t take long for it to start causing problems. Long-term exposure to oxidants found in municipal water systems, such as chlorine and chloramine, caused the pipes to break down and become brittle. Homeowners began experiencing burst pipes, significant leaks and property damage.
How to Identify Polybutylene Pipes
So, how do you know if your plumbing system has PB pipes? First, if your home was built from 1970 to 1990, there’s a good chance you have this type of plumbing system. You can also inspect your pipes on your own to see if you can identify these plumbing pipes.
Start where the pipes come out of your walls. You can also check connections to toilets and look in the cabinets underneath your kitchen and bathroom sink. PB pipes were commonly used in crawl spaces, in basements near water heaters and to connect to water meters.
Color is another indicator when identifying PB pipes. Gray is the most popular color. However, they may also be silver, black or blue. See if you can locate a stamp with the code PB2110, which is stamped on all PB pipes. If you have inspected your system and are still unsure what types of pipes you have, contact a plumber.
A licensed plumber can confirm what types of pipes you have and help you decide what steps to take next.
Why Was Polybutylene Pipe Outlawed?
The use of PB pipes led to widespread plumbing failures, class action lawsuits and settlements totaling over $1.14 billion. The pipes simply weren’t durable enough for long-term use. After 1995, manufacturers stopped producing PB pipes and building codes prevented them from being used in new construction. Today, most insurance companies will refuse to insure a home with PB pipes. If you’re purchasing an older home and the inspection identifies this type of plumbing system, you should demand to have the pipes replaced before finalizing the purchase.
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Does Polybutylene Piping Need to Be Replaced?
If you discover you have PB pipes in your home, you’re not required to have them replaced. However, it’s a good idea to switch to another material. If you haven’t experienced leaks, it’s only a matter of time before it happens. By waiting, you put your home and personal belongings at risk of damage.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Polybutylene Pipes?
The cost of replacing polybutylene pipes can vary widely based on several factors. This includes the size of your home, the number of bathrooms, the number of floors and how accessible your pipes are. The materials used for replacement also play a role in the cost.
As of 2025, the average cost to replace PB pipes ranges from $2,200 to $5,100 (CAD 3,188 to CAD 7,391) or approximately $0.40 cents to $2 (CAD 0.58 to CAD 2.90) per linear foot. If you opt for copper pipes, you can expect to pay around four times more than for other materials.
With PB pipes no longer used in home plumbing systems due to major failures in design, it’s important to learn how to identify these pipes and what to do if you have them.
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