polybutylene plumbing (again or still?)

[Mike Snyder]

I’m purchasing a 1991 doublewide that the home inspection report says has PB plumbing in it (as well as several leaks). Is there anything I can do about getting the plumbing replaced by the company at this late date? The previous owner was a very old lady who apparently never watched the news or read the paper or maybe just didn’t know she had PB plumbing. What should I do?

[GuestParticipant]

Poly Doctor wrote on 11 August 2000 at 05:45 PM:
Here is some general poly info for you and some contact info for the class actions.

RESPONSE: If you would like a referral to an expert repipe contractor in your area, we can provide you with several names.

For comprehensive and FACTUAL information on polybutylene, Class Action Links and Contractor Opportunities visit http://www.polybutylene411.org.

This site hides nothing and is here to HELP you. This is a not for profit site that is here for one reason . . . to help you deal with repipe issues.

There are some sites that appear to be providing you with complete information about polybutylene. Some of these are commercial sites in the poly replacement business. They tell you what they want you to know. And some tell you different stories. Plumbing Express using their site http://www.polybutylene.com states that they do not use subcontractors, but they are advertising for subcontractors to do repipe work.

We do NOT recommend you allowing a subcontractor to do repipe work in your home. Plumbing Express also lists their site as providing the most accurate information. I urge you to question some of the statements they make. And most important, question the references and testimonials they list. You will find that some of the names of the people providing the references cannot be found in the areas that Plumbing Express notes. The best thing to do is ask for the phone numbers of some of the testimonials that you select, or try to get the phone number from information. You will be amazed how inaccurate some of the information they provide is, and how misleading some of the testimonials are.

Some repipe companies do not even want you to have the class action phone numbers, even though they claim to be information sites with complete information. A better name would be Poly Info Limited for these sites. When you do see them posting a class action phone number some of these sites it is generally for someone that has already missed the deadline for filing. For example, you will see them post the phone numbers for the class actions when it is an exterior line that is older than 10 years old. If it is less than 10 years old or they are not sure, they will direct you to their site and try to sell you the job for the highest price possible.

If you do not qualify for the class action suits do NOT simply let a contractor tell you there are no alternatives. We can provide you with alternative solutions, as well as a list of top contractors to get estimates from. You certainly need more than one or two estimates and several referrals. We will also tell you the questions to ask your contractor to make sure they have crews that are qualified to do the work in your home. For example, make sure you ask any contractor if he has left a job and the house caught fire from hotspots they left in the walls. This is a very key question.

Also be sure to ask all companies for a few phone numbers of the references or testimonials they show you. Don’t let them select which ones if they are featured on a website. Just ask them for the names and phone numbers of the ones you want to call. You may find some surprises.

Here are some reliable websites with additional information :

Polybutylene Information Help Site – 5 STAR SITE – http://www.polybutylene411.org

Terry Love Plumbing Bulletin Board – 5 STAR SITE – Info on Repipe – http://terrylove.com/pipe.htm

Terry Love Plumbing Bulletin Board – 5 STAR SITE – Polybutylene Info and Pictures – http://terrylove.com/qest.htm

CLASS ACTION – Consumer Plumbing Recovery Center – 800-356-3496 – http://www.pbpipe.com

CLASS ACTION – Spencer Class Facility – 800-490-6997 – http://www.spencerclass.com/

CLASS ACTION – Brasscraft Claims Facility – 3600 Orchard Hill Place, Novi, MI 48376

CLASS ACTION – Canadian Homeowners – http://www.siskind.com/classpipe.html

CLASS ACTION – Canadian Homeowners – http://www.poynerbaxter.com/

Poly site that references Class Action Lawsuit filed by the insurance industry against the poly resin manufacturers -www.businessinsurance.com/mktplace/ad0308.html

Site with Key Dates involved in the development and problems associated with polybutylene plumbing systems – http://cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/home/pipes/chronology.html

Site with confidential documents from Shell!!! – http://tv.cbc.ca/market/files/home/pipes/memo1.html

SPECIAL NOTE: If you would like referrals to reliable contractors in your area or you want to know more about your contractor, please e-mail . . . [email protected] or visit http://polybutylene411.org

Master Plumbers Bulletin Board – 5 STAR SITE – http://www.masterplumbers.com/wwwboard_index.html

Dynamic Plumbing Information Forum – http://www.plbg.com/cgi-bin/forum.pl?&main&&view_by_order

[fourth yearParticipant]

You are pressing the envelope for a 1991 mobile home since you only have 10 years to make a claim. If you try to read everything in the above post, you will definitely miss it. Call 800-356-3496. They will ask if you have had three leaks in the preceeding 10 years.

[eotuParticipant]

Thank you so much for your help. I knew I was running out of time but had no idea how close it was. Thanks for the info guys! This bulletin board is a great thing for us laypeople. It lets us know how to tell the stuff we can do ourselves from the stuff we need to call a professional for. Thanks again. Laurel

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