How to Repair Leaking PB (polybutylene) Mobile Home Plumbing

Polybutylene (pb) pipe is a type of plastic plumbing that was often used from the 1970's through the 1990's in locations where lightweight and inexpensive plumbing would be desirable.  This type of plumbing is very flexible and is often found in mobile homes, but may also be in other homes or commercial locations.  Polybutylene Pipe unfortunately had a high rate of failure under normal conditions, Many homeowners and businesses have experience leaks due to the problems associated with this type of plumbing and have participated in a class action lawsuit.  This type of plumbing is no longer available on the market 

How to Identify Polybutylene Plumbing

You can easily find out if your property has polybutylene plumbing,  If your property was built between the late 1970's to the mid 1900's you may have this type of plumbing.  Polybutylene plumbing is usually grey, black or blue in color.  Interior grade piping is mostly grey, exterior plumbing is mostly blue.  The connections may be similar in appearance to the gray plumbing lines.  The material is a type of plastic, however there may be some plastic, copper or brass connectors and rings present to join and crimp some connections.  The plumbing ranges in size from 3/8 inch to 1 inch.  You may also be able to identify the polybutylene plumbing by looking for the letters "pb" on the lines.

Polybutylene Plumbing Grey PB Pipe Repair Options 

When repairing aging gray polybuylene tubing in mobile homes, residences or other properties, there are a few different options available.  Although pb piping components are no longer available, adapters are available to convert all or some of the gray pb plumbing to PEX, CPVC or copper pipe, these adapters and pipe can be found at most hardware stores and online. Pipe and adapters are generally either 1/2 or 3/4 inch in size.  See the recommended links to the right for some of the PEX options available.

Converting Polybuylene to PEX

Converting to PEX can be done in a variety of different ways. Popular brands of PEX fittings and pipes are Sharkbite. Gatorbite, Wirsbo, Zurn and John Guest.  Two popular methods are describe below, push-fit fittings and crimp-fittings; other methods also exist such as clamp fittings, compression fittings and others.

PEX Push-Fit Fittings

Push-fit fittings are very easy to install onto your old pb lines and newer PEX lines and for nice tight leak free couplings.  They are ideal for small jobs where only a few repairs are needed.  Push-fit fittings are available for full line of PEX to fixture fittings , PEX to PEX connections and PB to PEX Conversion Fittings

PB-Pex Conversion Couplings

Transistion couplings or conversion couplings are another option to convert from pb pipe to PEX pipe.  The coupling is cheaper than push-fit fittings, but they require a special PEX crimp tool and a bit more work to install.  Transition couplings would be the best option for large jobs where the number of repair connections needed would make the purchase or rental of the tool and the extra labor needed cheaper than buying the same number of push-fit connections.  Couplings are installed by placing a copper ring on the outside of the tubing and inserting the coupling into the tubing; the crimp tool is then used to securly fasten the ring around the connection