Why Insurance Companies Won't Cover This Material
Poly-What?
Polybutylene piping is a plumbing material that was used from the late 1970's to the mid 1990's. It was the first plastic distribution piping to be widely installed in homes. It was installed in an estimated 700,000 homes in Canada. Poly-B was banned in 1997 due to its poor reliability.
Poly-B is a known insurance issue. You may not be able to get plumbing leak coverage if you have it.
Lawsuits
The manufacturer faced numerous class-action lawsuits due to premature failure of the product. The combined lawsuits made the pre-trial settlement one of the most expensive in North American History. The lawsuits were collectively worth over a billion dollars.
Why it Leaks
Poly-B leaks for a few reasons.
It is a very soft material. While this made it easy to work with and install, it also meant that it was easily damaged by expansion and contraction caused by heat, or changing water pressure.
It was often installed incorrectly. The first two generations in particular were vulnerable to over-tightening of the crimp rings, which damaged the fittings.
It degrades over time when exposed to chlorine. Yes, the chemical that almost every municipality in North America adds to sterilize water, breaks down these pipes.
Not All Poly-B is The Same
Poly-B exists in three different arrangements. Each version sought to address known issues with the previous generation.
First Generation
The very first version of the product used plastic elbow fittings with aluminum crimp rings. The aluminum crimp rings quickly proved to be unreliable and weak.
Second Generation
The second generation replaced the aluminum crimp rings with copper crimp rings, which were far more robust. However, it then became apparent that the plastic fittings were also prone to failure.
Third Generation
The final generation of Poly-B replaced the plastic fittings with copper or brass fittings. These were more reliable, but eventually it was determined that the plastic piping itself also had issues with leakage.
Insurance Issues
While insurers are constantly evolving their policies, most insurers will not issue plumbing leak coverage for homes with First or Second Generation Poly-B Piping. Some insurers offer a 30-day grace period for the owner to have the house re-piped after purchase. Some companies may still grant coverage for Third Generation Poly-B, but you need to confirm with your insurer.
The best way to deal with Poly-B is to replace it.
Do I Have Poly-B?
Poly-B is a grey plastic piping, either 1/2" or 3/4" in diameter. It is usually (but not always) stamped with the code "PB2110" or "CSA-B 137.8", although not all pipes may have a visible stamp. If your home was built between (or renovated during) the 1970's to the 1990's, you may have Poly-B piping.
What Can I Do?
The safest way to deal with Poly-B is to just have the house re-piped. This is a common upgrade, and plumbers are familiar with how to do the work with as little disruption as possible. If you have an unfinished basement or crawlspace, that makes the job even easier! Even if your Poly-B hasn't leaked yet, it will eventually. We suggest you engage a plumbing contractor to review the system and provide a recommendation on what to do.
Key Points
Poly-B was widely used from the late1970's to the mid 1990's.
It is known to leak and was banned in 1997.
You might not be able to get plumbing leak coverage through your insurer.
The best way to deal with it is to replace it.
Engage a plumber to assess your system and give a recommendation.
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