Recalled supply lines
Polybutylene Pipe Replacement in South Florida
Polybutylene is a gray plastic supply pipe installed in many homes from the late 1970s to mid-1990s that fails without warning and was the subject of a major class-action settlement. Diamond Plumbing replaces polybutylene with modern PEX-A or copper: most South Florida homes in 2–3 days, walls patched, restoring reliability and your insurability.
Reviewed by the Diamond Plumbing team (State Certified Plumbing Contractor CFC1431243) · ·
Is this you?
- Gray plastic pipe (about ½–1") at your water heater or entering walls
- Your home was built or re-piped between ~1978 and 1995
- Unexplained leaks, especially at fittings
- Your insurer flagged 'polybutylene' or declined coverage
- You're buying or selling and it turned up on inspection
Polybutylene (often called 'poly' or 'Quest') was marketed as an inexpensive copper alternative, but chlorine in the water supply makes it brittle from the inside, so it can crack and flood a home with little warning. The failures were so widespread it led to a landmark class-action settlement, and it hasn't been a code-approved material for new work in decades.
We replace polybutylene with PEX-A or Type-L copper, re-routing fresh lines with surgical drywall openings, restoring water the same day, and patching and texturing so your walls look untouched. Most homes are finished in two to three days.
Polybutylene and your insurance
Because polybutylene fails suddenly and causes major water damage, many Florida insurers won't write or renew a policy on a home that still has it. Replacing it removes that barrier and ends the risk of a catastrophic, unexpected flood while you're away.
FAQ
Polybutylene Replacement: common questions
How do I know if I have polybutylene pipes?
Polybutylene is usually dull gray plastic (sometimes blue or black outside), about ½ to 1 inch in diameter, most visible at the water heater and where lines enter walls. If your home dates to roughly 1978–1995 and you see gray plastic supply pipe, have it confirmed.
Why is polybutylene a problem?
Chlorine in the water supply degrades polybutylene from the inside, making it brittle so it cracks and leaks without warning, often at the fittings. It caused enough catastrophic failures to trigger a major class-action settlement and is no longer a code-approved material.
How long does it take to replace polybutylene?
Most South Florida homes are fully re-piped in 2–3 days with PEX-A or copper, including drywall patching. Water is restored at the end of each work day, and you can stay in the home.
Will replacing polybutylene fix my insurance issue?
Yes. Polybutylene is a common reason Florida carriers decline or non-renew coverage. A full replacement with PEX-A or copper, documented in writing, directly resolves the finding.
Have polybutylene? Let's replace it.
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