Polybutylene Pipes in Florida: How to Tell and What to Do

Polybutylene was made from 1978 to mid-1995 and was installed in up to 10 million homes in the U.S. If your building went up, or was replumbed, during those years, it’s worth checking. Some buildings have it only in places, such as short sections connecting to copper near fixtures.

• Look for “PB2110” printed along the pipe.
• Gray is the most common color, but it can also be white, silver, black or blue. Blue is mostly used outdoors for cold water.
• It’s flexible, usually ½ to 1 inch across, and often curves rather than running straight.
• Check where pipes come out of walls under sinks and behind toilets, near the water heater, and where the main line enters the building.
• Black or white plastic isn’t always polybutylene; it can be other materials. If you’re not sure, a plumber or inspector can confirm.

Disinfectants in public water can react with polybutylene over time, making the pipe brittle from the inside. Small cracks grow until the pipe leaks or bursts, often with no outside sign beforehand. Failures also happen at fittings and joints. Lawsuits against manufacturers led to payouts reaching $1 billion.

Florida insurers consider plumbing type and age when deciding whether to cover a building, and many treat polybutylene as a serious risk. Some won’t write a new policy until it’s replaced, and others charge more or limit coverage. A 4-point inspection will note it if it’s there. Ask your agent in writing what your insurer requires.

1. Confirm what you have and where: the whole building, or just some sections.
2. Get itemized quotes from licensed plumbers. Ask what pipe material they’ll use and how much of the building it covers.
3. Ask how the work will be staged so tenants aren’t without water for long, and who repairs the drywall after.
4. Confirm who pulls the permit and schedules inspections. Keep the final paperwork for your insurer.
5. Check the plumber’s Florida license before you sign.