The $1B Lawsuit Plumbing Pipe That Can Derail Your Home Sale

Last Updated: August 7, 2026

When it comes to residential construction, we are always trying to push forward as a society. We are searching for the most cost effective, efficient, and long-lasting building techniques. This has certainly yielded many successful methods and materials throughout history…but not always. In this blog, we will discuss a particular plumbing pipe that caused serious issues for thousands of homeowners nationwide – Polybutylene Piping.

What Is Polybutylene Piping?

Polybutylene (aka Poly B or PB) is a plastic pipe material that was utilized for plumbing supply lines from 1978 to 1995. Similar to Kitec plumbing, it was more affordable than copper and easier to install. PB was also hailed for its flexibility and resistance to freezing. It can usually be identified by its gray color, but it is also known to come in blue, black or white. It is also generally marked with the code “PB2110.”

Throughout the late 70s through the late 90s, PB became a very popular alternative material for many plumbers in the US and Canada, and it was said to have been installed in around 10 million homes during its prominence.

However, it soon became apparent that this style of plumbing was quite problematic. Leaking and pipe damage became commonplace in many homes with Poly B piping. What initially seemed to be a viable alternative to copper, soon became the cause of plumbing nightmares all across North America.

Where to Look for Polybutylene Pipes?

Polybutylene pipes are usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. The material is flexible plastic tubing, typically dull gray in color. Pipes are usually printed with a stamp reading “PB2110” somewhere along their length, and they generally run about 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter.

The best places to check are wherever plumbing is exposed and easy to access. This includes the water supply line entering the home from the meter, connections at the water heater, and exposed pipe runs in the basement. Since PB piping was most commonly installed in homes built between 1978 and 1995, any home from that era is worth a closer look.

What’s Wrong with Polybutylene Piping?

Sensitivity to Disinfecting Chemicals

Water treatment facilities will often add chemicals, such as chlorine, to potable water supplies. This is a common practice used to kill any harmful germs or bacteria present in the water. Unfortunately, it turned out that Polybutylene was sensitive to these types of chemicals.

Prolonged exposure to these disinfectants would cause the piping to flake away from the inside out. Over time this would lead to leaks, cracks or ruptures. Furthermore, as the plastic elements break down, they can enter the water supply and pose potential health threats.

This type of defect is particularly deceiving because it cannot be identified by simply looking at the pipe. It may seem perfectly fine from the outside, but it’s actually deteriorating on the inside.

Faulty Fittings

Plastic fittings were commonly used for Poly B piping. The piping segments would be slid over the plastic fittings then crimped down with metal rings. However, these fittings were not very reliable and prone to cracking and leaking over time. Just like the piping itself, the plastic fittings are vulnerable to chemical deterioration.

Installation error was also sometimes the cause of fitting issues. During installation, the metal crimping rings must be tightened around the junction between pipe and fitting. But there was a super fine line between, too loose, too tight, or just right. As a result, fittings would be secured too tightly, causing cracking, or fastened too loosely resulting in leaking.

A good portion of plumbing is hidden behind drywall. So in many cases, PB pipes would start to leak into wall, ceiling or floor cavities unbeknownst to the homeowner. This would result in severe water damage or mold issues. And that is why many plumbers will often recommend a full piping replacement.

Lawsuit

Poly B was a real problem for many homeowners – so much so that class action lawsuits were filed against its manufacturers for a settlement of over $1 billion. The lawsuit, entitled Cox v. Shell Oil Company, granted money to homeowners who experienced damages or losses caused by PB piping failure. If you have read our article about Kitec plumbing, you will note that it has had a very similar history to Polybutylene.

Resale, Mortgage, and Insurance Issues

Even homeowners who haven’t had any issues with their PB piping may negatively affect the value of their home. During a home inspection, buyers will learn about the presence of PB piping and its known risk of failure. That can lead them to negotiate a lower price, request concessions, or walk away from the deal entirely. Sellers with PB piping should also expect to disclose it in most real estate transactions, since many standard purchase contracts specifically ask whether the material is present.

Mortgage and insurance issues can follow a similar pattern. Some lenders may hesitate to finance a home with known PB piping issue. Even where coverage exists, a claim tied to PB pipe failure could still be denied. For these reasons, many homeowners choose to replace PB piping proactively rather than risk running into these issues during a future sale, refinance, or claim.

What To Do If You Find Polybutylene Piping

If your home inspection reveals polybutylene piping, here’s what we recommend as next steps:

1. Consult a licensed plumber. A professional can assess the extent of the PB piping in your home and give you an accurate quote.
2. Don’t patch or repair individual sections. Once PB piping starts to deteriorate, spot repairs aren’t a reliable fix. Since the material degrades throughout the whole system, replacement is the only long-term solution.
3. If you’re buying, negotiate the repiping cost into your offer. Many buyers use issues to request a price reduction or a seller credit to cover replacement.
4. Notify your insurance provider. Some insurers require PB piping to be replaced before they’ll issue or renew a policy.
5. Disclose the piping if you’re selling. Most real estate purchase contracts specifically ask about PB piping, and failing to disclose known issues can create legal liability down the road.
6. Keep documentation of any replacement work. If you do have the piping replaced, hold onto receipts, permits, and any plumber documentation. This can help with future insurance conversations or resale disclosures.

Inspecting for PB Piping

As a seasoned home inspection company, we realize that even if there are no issues at the time of inspection, it is important to know what problems could happen in the future. We want our clients to be armed with as much knowledge as possible, in order to make the best decision possible.

So when we see a material like Polybutylene – one that has such a potential for failure – we address it with the appropriate seriousness. We will always recommend further evaluation from a qualified plumbing specialist.

Here at Scott Home Inspection, it is our goal to provide you with the most professional, thorough and unbiased home inspection. If you are in need of Colorado-based inspection services, we hope that you will consider Team Scott. Visit us online or contact us to schedule you services today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my house has polybutylene pipes?

Look for flexible, dull gray plastic tubing (sometimes blue or black) in exposed areas like the basement, crawl space, water heater connections, or where the main line enters from the meter. Pipes are often stamped with the code “PB2110.”

Can you get homeowners insurance with polybutylene pipes?

It depends on the insurer. Some companies will charge higher premiums, exclude water damage coverage, or require the piping to be replaced before issuing a policy. Because PB piping is a known failure risk. It’s worth checking with your insurance provider directly before assuming you’re covered.

Do I have to disclose polybutylene piping when selling my home?

In most cases, yes. Many real estate purchase contracts specifically ask whether PB piping is present, and failing to disclose known issues can create legal liability down the road.

Is it safe to live in a house with polybutylene pipes?

PB piping doesn’t pose an immediate safety issue in most cases, but it’s known to fail without warning, sometimes behind walls or ceilings where leaks go unnoticed until real damage has occurred.

Can polybutylene pipes be repaired instead of replaced?

No. Once PB piping shows signs of deterioration, patching or repairing individual sections isn’t considered a reliable long-term fix, since the material degrades throughout the whole system.