What are Polybutylene Pipes

This Barrhaven plumber is here to talk about Pipes.

One of the biggest necessities built into our home structure that we never think about until there is an issue. And when we do it can be very confusing if one is not in tune with piping and the time period one’s home was built in. It matters to know this as over the years plumbing technology advanced as all industry technologies did, and this means the materials used to build pipes decades ago are different than what is currently utilized. If your home in Canada was built between the 1970’s and the 1990’s your pipes may well be made of a flexible plastic called polybutylene. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best choice.

The Polybutylene Pipe Problem

Research that was conducted in North Vancouver noted that polybutylene piping was installed in over 700,000 houses across Canada within that time period. Albeit it seemed like the right material choice at the time, issue arose in home everywhere. The problem with polybutylene pipes is that they proved to be unreliable and have a fairly easy propensity to crack, leak, and break that ever believed. That can lead to a serious plumbing emergency!

This is why we at John THE Plumber encourage homeowners to know what their pipes are made of. And if they notice something wrong with their piping/plumbing to contact the professionals here at John THE Plumber immediately.

Some homeowners have been lucky and haven’t noted any issues with their polybutylene pipes and that is great. If that is the case we offer the following maintenance tips below so that the condition of your pipes remains optimal.

Tips For Preserving Your Polybutylene Pipes:

• Take Care that NO polybutylene pipes are connected to your hot water heater
• Ensure that there are no cracks in the pipes or leaks in any joints
• Ensure that your water pressure is holding between 40-60 psi
• If using hot and cold water, the hot water tank is set to 51 -55 degrees Celsius
• Install a water filter if your home is situated in a high chlorine level area
• Utilize the pipes in a circulating hot water loop

Pride In Our Business

For over 15 years and counting, John THE Plumber’s Plumbing Company has been proudly serving Ottawa and its surrounding area as well as residents with the GTA and The 1000 Islands. The owner really is a man named John who built his Company by going above and beyond standard plumbing calls. Building strong customer relationships with every single job request. John looks to only hire the best; the Company has a team of fully licensed, insured and knowledgeable plumbers. Expert workmanship at affordable prices is why customers keep coming back to John THE Plumber, and we love to give back through sharing blogs such as this to aid you in caring for the plumbing in your home.

We’re Here For All Your Barrhaven Plumbing Needs!

John The Plumber has built a reputation for fast, friendly, and reliable plumbing services.

We’re one of the only companies consistently offering same-day drain cleaning in Barrhaven, along with same-day services for all your plumbing needs.

To discover more on the full range of services offered by our Barrhaven-based John the Plumber, please call our offices today at 613-454-5585 or visit our business website at johntheplumber.ca/barrhaven