Polybutylene? - InspectionNews

Scott Dana · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 02:32 PM

In several homes over the past few months I've come across pipes that are grey that are installed between the cut off valve and the sink faucets.

First of all, is there a term for the piping that is installed in these locations (service pipes?).

Secondly, is this Polybutylene?

The main pipes throughout the home are copper, but under all the sinks is this grey stuff. Home is 15 or so years old. Thanks.

Scott Patterson · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 02:36 PM

Yes those are PB sections. They are OK, they have copper connectors and and are not using crimp rings.

Gunnar Alquist · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 04:47 PM

They are still PB. As such, I would think that they would still be subject to failure. However, as far as I have been able to find, when the material is used as a flexible riser between the shutoff valve and the fixture, it was not a part of the class action settlement.

I still mention the possibility of leaks developing and advise replacement.

Rick Cantrell · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 06:11 PM

The term for any type of pipe connecting the fixture to the shutoff is the supply line. Yes the gray plastic ones are PB.

Jerry Peck · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

The term for any type of pipe connecting the fixture to the shutoff is the supply line.

I've always called them, and heard them called, 'supply risers', either lavatory risers or toilet risers (they have different ends on them). Or even simply 'lav risers' or 'toilet risers'.

Scott Dana · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 07:27 AM

Much appreciated gentlemen.

Rick Cantrell · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 04:26 PM

Jerry
I know you know this, but someone may not.
There are two different supply risers.
One for the toilet, and a different one for the faucet (lav, kitchen sink, wet bar, and laundry sink/tub use the same one).
And Jerry is correct, it should be called a supply riser.

Jerry Peck · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

Jerry
I know you know this, but someone may not.
There are two different supply risers.
One for the toilet, and a different one for the faucet (lav, kitchen sink, wet bar, and laundry sink/tub use the same one).

Rick,

Yep, that's why I said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

either lavatory risers or toilet risers (they have different ends on them).

Rick Cantrell · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 05:28 PM

Just as you was not trying to " One up" me by correctly calling it a "Riser", I wasn't trying to get one up on you either.
I thought that there may be someone who is unaware that the same riser that fits a lavatory also fits a kitchen sink, wet bar, and laundry tub, not just the lavatory (bathroom sink).