Poly B? In good shape like this?

[Gibsonguy]

Hi Guys,

Just wondering, this is a 1992 condo building (3 units) in the basement unit and the piping appears to be Poly B. It has copper fittings and no leaks. Do you tell the buyer for the condo they should look at the whole building?

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[Marc]

No. Just that one unit that they are considering for purchase (if I read your question correctly).

The issues with PB are not limited to the connections. The pipe scales on the inside depending on the chlorine content of the water.

Marc

[Gibsonguy]

Thanks Marc!

[Tom Raymond]

Yes, but a PB failure on an upper level could be harmful to a basement condo.

It would also be nice to know who is responsible for that system, the owner or the association. I for one wouldn't want to find out the hard way.

[John Kogel]

I warn the clients it could be an insurance concern. They need to arrange insurance for their mortgage.

[palmettoinspect]

I don't make a big stink about Polybutylene with copper fittings. They're in a lot of homes without issues or leaks for 20+ years now. If they're using plastic fittings it's not hard to prove why they got their bad rap and I always recommend replacement. I don't usually make a comment about the other units as it's not something I can confirm.

I have polybutylene with copper fittings in my own home and don't loose any sleep over it.

[AHI in AR]

As I recall, the extent of the problem is heavily dependent on the free chlorine levels in the local water supply, and it affected the plastic fitting far more than the poly itself. Especially on the hot water lines. The fittings were a different type of plastic. Delrin, maybe? I don't recall now but they aren't poly. Copper fittings per se aren't a problem. I don't see much poly here.

[mjr6550]

As a side note, I would tell them that the TPR valve is not properly installed.

[John Kogel]

As a side note, I would tell them that the TPR valve is not properly installed.

And the flexible conduit is missing.