Posted by Louise Fillinger on September 11, 2002 at 23:27:38:
In Reply to: Re: polybutylene lawsuit posted by Lloyd Ballard on January 15, 2002 at 22:48:49:
: The lawyers did a good job by limiting the claims for mobile homes to 10 years despite the fact it had been in use since the 1970s. This was done in theory to bring the problem to a close, but as all these posts atest as long as the junk is in your house, you are living on borrowed time. Also as you will see in my story below, the rumor, that most of the pipes are okay and only apply to a few installations is a lie. Most of it will fail under Murphy's law at the most inopportune time.
: My story. I bought a doublewide trailer that was built in 1978 in 2001. I had no idea about the polybutylene pipe problem at the time. But I do remember asking the previous owner if he had any plumbing problems and he said no. Keep in mind the trailer was 22 years old and you would think that during that time it has plenty of opportunity to self-destruct. In less than a month I had 2 leaks and one complete blow out!! I just happened to be home each time. The last was at 4 am and it was Niagra Falls at the toilet supply pipe. I just happened to awake and was able to shut down the system with no permanent damage except several dozen gallons of water all over my floor.
: I immediately pulled all the polybutylene pipe out and replaced it with CVPC (orange plastic). Cost me $700. CVPC is easy to work and I hear lasts as long as copper, possibly longer depending on the quality of water. I sold the trailer shortly thereafter and started looking for a replacement. Well I figured this time I would get smare and just buy a newer trailer and not have the problem. Wrong answer, I found a nice, 1987 model and as luck would have it, that one also has polybutylene!!!!! This time I caught it before I bought it and the sellwer will have to have all of it removed before I will buy it.
: My point is that a lot of you may be under the impression that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it can self destruct on me after 22 years, do you want to take the chance that it occurs while you are away at work or on vacation. Come home to Noah's Ark and find your insurance will not pay for the damages or to replace it!!!!! The cost of fixing the problem now is a small price compared to the alternative. At least turn off the water if you go away or look into maybe getting a blowout valve if there is such thing (not sure of such). They have them on oil wells so maybe there is such for water lines!!
: My recommendation is to get it pulled out immediately regardless of whether you can get reimbursed. Don't mean to sound heartless, but you are sitting on a timebomb.