I built my Atlanta house in 1996 and it has a polybutylene yard service water line that is now about 16 years old. I am not aware of any leaks or problems with the line since it was installed.
I do have a problem with my main sewer drain line and have to dig up some of my front yard to fix it. My question is whether I should spend the extra $1,000 to replalce the polybutylene along with the drain line. I suppose this is a question of how long I can expect the polybutylene to last in a ground installation before it fails.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Replies
20 to 30 mtbf
Typically they are failing after twenty to thirty years in service, depending on the water chemistry, and the hydraulic conditions. Piping that sees a lot of hydraulic surge tends to fail sooner.
Systems where the pressure is high, and the automatic sprinkler system is causing hydraulic surges multiple times per day fail sooner.
I'd replace it now if I were you. My luck would be that the service line would fail, just about the time the landscaping recovers.
If you have access to part(s) of the the PB line, flex it back and forth a couple times as if you were going to kink it.
It could be that it's in fine condition.
It also could be that, although the pipe itself is in good shape, the fittings may be acetal plastic rather than copper or brass, and such fittings are usually the true cause of failure.
If you have doubts about the fittings, you might be able to replace them only.
There's a lot of 25-yr-old PB in this area, still in excellent condition.
Why on earth will it cost $1,000.00 to replace it? Do you have a real deep yard?
PB Replacement
Thanks to all for the good advice.
As for the $1,000 cost, my house is on a hill and the water meter is next to the street. It's not only very deep, but a very long run from the house to the meter.
I'm leaning toward sucking up the cost and replacing the line.
Might be pullable
Talk to the Water Company.
The one I worked for did a whole bunch of small contracts to do split and replace projects of polyethylene service laterals, from the main to the meter.
The contractor dug a pit at the stop on the main, and one at the meter. They then pushed a cable through the service lateral, and used it to pull a pipe splitter, and the new copper service without digging things up in between. They can split a couple of hundred feet, so it can be far faster, and thus less expensive, than a direct bury.
I know they probably won't do it for you, but they may have a list of contractors who are set up to do the work. It wouldn't make sense for someone who occaisionally does a lateral replacement to buy the tools required, but if they have done any contracts someone may own the equipment.