Polybutylene
Over time polybutylene pipes deteriorate from the inside due to chemical reactions with compounds used to sanitize our drinking water. The poly becomes brittle and eventually develops tiny fissures. These fissures connect together and eventually form a small crack that water will slowly escape through.
Exactly how long it takes a home with gray poly to fail is a difficult question to answer. The polybutylene systems that failed the quickest were due to defective fittings. The current wave of polybutylene failures are occurring due to chemical breakdown of the actual pipes itself and not the fittings. If you have a home with gray poly you should be prepared for leaks to develop at any time.
Be on the lookout for signs of slow water seepage from pipes. Since these pipes can be hidden from view behind walls, above ceiling, or in a concrete slab, signs of a leak could include seeing a wet spot on a wall or floor or have a gradually increasing water bill. It is also possible there may be a noticeable a mildew smell in the home.
Turning the water supply off when you are going to be away from the home especially for extended periods. Check the pressure regular valve for proper function using a pressure gauge. Static pressure should never be higher than 80 PSI and should probably be even low in a house with PB. Treat polybutylene pipes with care. If you have exposed pipes you should avoid moving or jostling them.
Homeowner’s insurance typically pays for restoration of the home in the event of flood damage caused by a leaking water pipe in the walls, ceiling, crawl space. Insurance providers do not typically pay for the plumbing work itself. Sometimes we are able to speak with the adjuster who will make allowances to offset some of the cost of wall repair and painting associated with the repipe. In the case of a leak in the slab, insurance providers are usually able to substantially offset the cost of a repipe to avoid the damage cause by jackhammering a slab to make a repair.
A number of factors determine the cost of a pipe replacement in your home. These factors include the size of the home, the number of plumbing fixtures, ceiling and wall finishes, the type of foundation (slab, crawlspace, basement), and the materials used. Prices offered by a repipe specialist (such as Plumbing Express) are often much lower than people expect after having had an estimate from a retail service plumbing company.
Some of the best realtors advise their client to make major repairs in advance and list their home only when it is free of major defects and in a “clean” condition. These realtors know from experience that many qualified prospective buyers will avoid properties with major issues such as polybutylene plumbing unless major concessions are made. Replacing the polybutylene prior to listing takes away a major bargaining chip that buyers can leverage to reduce the sale price. Fixing major defects allows sellers to close more quickly and at a higher profit.
As is true with many aspects of the plumbing system, there is misinformation passed around. Probably the most common misnomer about gray poly is that polybutylene systems with copper fittings will not leak. It is true that gray poly systems with copper fittings have lasted longer because the fittings are less likely to fail. However, the gray poly pipe itself in a system with copper fittings is just as likely to leak as in a system with other fittings. The chemical deterioration of polybutylene is not slowed down by the type of fittings in the system.
Polybutylene is the chemical name of the plastic used to make infamous gray poly pipes. Gray poly pipes were widely used for a couple of decades in residential new construction in the US. Gray poly water pipes are no longer allowed to be used for residential plumbing applications due to their tendency to degrade over time through exposure to compounds present in municipal drinking water that are used for water treatment.
We offer several payment option including including credit cards, payment at closing, and financing with approved credit.
Plumbing Express is a well established company with a brick-and-mortar office location. We use a team of W2 employees instead of independent sub-contractors. We use the high quality pipe, valve, and fittings instead of imported knockoffs. Our drywall repair and painting are not performed by the plumbers. We never run pipes in the attic unless it is absolutely necessary. We believe it is imperative to visit the jobsite to give an accurate price quote and to ensure the job goes smoothly.
When replacing polybutylene pipes, material choice matters, but quality and installation matter even more.
At Plumbing Express, we primarily install FlowGuard Gold® CPVC and PEX-A piping systems. Both materials are code-approved and have proven to perform well when installed correctly using matched, name-brand fittings and valves.
- CPVC (FlowGuard Gold®) has a long track record and excellent resistance to corrosion.
- PEX-A offers flexibility and freeze resistance and is a strong option when high-quality materials and proper methods are used.
Because we offer one of the best warranties in the market, we do not use generic or low-quality imported piping. We also avoid mixing systems or relying on subcontractors who bring their own materials, common sources of premature failures and repeat repipes.
Bottom line:
We install piping systems we’re willing to stand behind long-term, using proven materials and best-practice installation and not shortcuts.
If you’re replacing polybutylene and want help choosing the right option for your home, we’re happy to walk you through it.
Having lower than normal pressure in a polybutylene system can delay the formation of leaks. Higher static pressure in degraded polybutylene will cause leaks sooner than low pressure in a degraded polybutylene system. Lower pressure can also decrease the performance of your plumbing system..
If you are asking this question, you should not attempt to repair the polybutylene pipe yourself. Repairs on polybutylene are typically made using push-type fittings. All repairs on polybutylene are unreliable and should be monitored for failure. Do yourself and your household a favor by calling a professional plumber. Our number is: (470) 203-0697.
A manifold is a central distribution point for a plumbing system. A manifold is a large injection molded chamber typically having one inlet for the water supply and multiple outlets. The advantage of a manifold system is that it provides individual shutoffs for each fixture in your home. The disadvantage of a manifold is that it requires much more piping material and labor to install. Manifold systems were popular with polybutylene piped homes and are currently employed with pex piping systems. Manifolds are typically installed as new construction and not as retro-fit.
Pipe Replacement Process
Choosing Plumbing Express means partnering with a team that values precision, transparency, and customer care above all. Our commitment to you includes:
- Accuracy and Transparency: By evaluating your home’s plumbing system in person, we ensure that our quote reflects the true scope of work required. This attention to detail helps prevent unexpected costs, aligning your expectations with the project realities from the start.
- Customized Solutions: Each home is unique, and so are its plumbing needs. Our on-site assessment allows us to be prepared specifically for your home, ensuring that the repipe process is as smooth and non-intrusive as possible.
- Trust and Confidence: Our direct engagement with you, the homeowner, is designed to build trust and confidence in our capabilities. This face-to-face interaction allows you to ask questions, voice concerns, and receive immediate, knowledgeable feedback based on our repiping expertise.
- Educational Opportunity: We view each on-site quote as a chance to educate our customers about their plumbing systems and our process. This knowledge ensures you are well-informed about the repiping process and comfortable that you know how to prepare for it.
- Thorough Planning and Communication: Utilizing advanced tools like Service Titan, we meticulously document every detail of your project, ensuring seamless communication and coordination among our team. This thorough planning translates into efficient, quality service tailored to your specific needs.
A “slab” is the concrete foundation that many houses are built on. It is very common to have plumbing pipes encased in the concrete slab. For various reasons these pipes encased in the concrete slab can develop leaks – these leaks are referred to as “slab leaks.” Slab leaks in pipes typically develop due to a chemical reaction. Gray Poly pipes reacts with chlorine in the water over a long period of time. Copper pipes, when not properly sleeved at the time of installation can react with the soil and concrete to develope leaks. Slab leaks can also occur for other unknown reasons.
We typically recommend a partial or complete repipe to bypass pipes in the slab as opposed to repairing the pipe in the slab. Repairing slab pipes is very invasive and costly and we do not recommend it. Slab repairs involve jackhammering the slab, removing flooring, basboard, etc. Also, it is very common for mulitple slab leaks to exist at the same time or for a slab leak to develope in a different place soon after one repair has been made. The means for locating slab leak can be inaccurate. Pipe replacement is often the most economical route because it actually ads value to the home instead of being a “band aid.” Insurance companies will often apply a portion of what would be a slab repair claim to a complete home pipe replacement.
Sewer & Drain
When talking about the drain system, the “main line” refers to the home/building sewer. According to the 2012 International Plumbing Code, a building sewer (aka the “main line”) is defined as:
“That part of the drainage system that extends from the end of the building drain and conveys the discharge to a public sewer, private sewer, individual sewage disposal system or other point of disposal.
Basically this mean the drain pipe in your yard. When the main line is blocked you may notice backups in your tub/shower, gurgling in toilet, or water flowing out of a sewer cleanout port in your yard. Main line blockages can cause property damage and unsafe conditions. You should cease running any water and contact a plumber immediately if you have a main line blockage.
Popular drain opening chemicals can be strong organic solvents and should be carefully handled. We generally do not recommend drain opening chemicals although they can be effective opening local drains such as a sink or shower. Drain opening is best accomplished by using a mechanical means such as an auger or plunger. Chemicals never work on major drain clogs such as a main line blockage. The only way to open these type of drain clogs is by using a powerful sewer auger or a hydro jet.
Enzymes (such as those sold by Bioclean and Zep) are good for keeping drains open on a preventative basis. These products send sludge eating microbes into your drain system to keep the sidewalls of the pipe clean. This reduces friction and waste flows though the pipe and decreases the probability of a blockage.
Water Heaters
You should service your hot water heater at least once a year. Regular maintenance helps prevent breakdowns, improves efficiency, and extends the lifespan of your unit. During a service, a professional plumber will typically inspect the system, flush the tank to remove sediment buildup, check the pressure relief valve, and assess other components to ensure everything is working properly. If you have hard water or use your heater more frequently, you may want to consider servicing it every 6 months to keep it running optimally.
Currently Natural Gas is clearly a better fuel than electric for heating hot water in Georgia. Gas water heaters have a better recovery rate (they produce more hot water) and cost about half as much to heat a gallon of water compared to electric. If you think electric is more environmentally friend – you’re wrong at least for now. Most of the electricity produced in Georgia is generated from burning fossil fuels. When you take into account the transmission loss of electricity it has a larger carbon footprint than gas for heating water. People in rural areas with no gas service should use electric unless they have money to burn on propane because propane is much more costly than electric for heating water.
A typical water heater lasts around 8 to 12 years. The exact lifespan depends on factors like the type of water heater, the quality of the unit, how well it’s maintained, and the water quality in your area.
- Traditional tank water heaters (gas or electric) generally last 8-12 years with proper care.
- Tankless water heaters, which heat water on demand, can last 20 years or more due to their more efficient design and the absence of a storage tank.
Regular maintenance, such as flushing the tank to remove sediment and inspecting components annually, can help extend your water heater’s lifespan.
We believe Rinnai® Tankless is simply the best option on the market. A Rinnai Tankless Water Heater solves the tank heater water inconsistency problem because hot water becomes delivered at a precise temperature to every fixture. Imagine providing unlimited hot water to your home. As an exclusive dealer and servicer of Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters, Plumbing Express receives the highest level of Rinnai training at Rinnai Headquarters.
Rinnai® is the registered trademark of Rinnai Corporation used under license by Rinnai America Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
The Rheem® Professional Classic Plus Series Atmospheric is the most popular gas water tank heater that we install.
Product Features:
- Highly reliable
- Professional Grade – heavy duty
- Made in North America the USA
- Tanks welded in Mexico and assembled in Mobile, Alabama.
- 40-50 gal and up
- Natural gas powered – the most efficient and environmentally friendly (based on total carbon footprint versus electric).
- Eco-Friendly burner
- Premium Anode Rode to maximize the life of your heater.
- Easy to light with no matches required
- Brass drain valve
Rheem® is the registered trademark of Rheem Manufacturing Company. All Rights Reserved.
If you are in the Great State of Georgia, a water heater drain pan usually isn’t necessary. A water heater drain pan is required when the water heater is located above a ceiling or in an attic. Let’s turn our codebooks to section 504.7 in the 2014 Amendments to the 2012 International. It says:
“504.7 Required pan. Pans shall be installed under storage-type water heaters or water heater storage tanks installed in attics or above ceilings. The pan shall be galvanized steel having a minimum thickness of 24 gauge, or other pans approved for such use. Pans are not required under tankless water heaters. (Effective January 1, 2014)”
Water heater drain pans can provide a false sense of security. If your water heater develops a hole that is significant in size, it can easily overwhelm the drain on the pan and overflow.
If the leak is coming from the bottom of the tank or the very top, it is not repairable because the tank has corroded through. If the leak is coming from the temperature and pressure relief valve on the side you may need to check the pressure regulator valve in your house and/or change the temperature and pressure relief valve.
The services we provide
Whole-House Repipe
We eliminate failing pipes and include sheetrock repair
General Plumbing
Residential and Commercial Plumbing Services for Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
Water Heating Services
Repair or upgrade your water heating system.
Drain Repair
We know that critical drain services protect property & health. Get flowing again.
With over 35 years of experience, Plumbing Express has earned the trust of homeowners across Atlanta, GA. Backed by 1,500+ reviews and a 4.9-star rating, we take pride in delivering top-quality plumbing and repiping services. See what our satisfied customers have to say about their experience with us!
Rating
Daniel was first rate. Knowledgeable and courteous, he address all our concerns expertly. We were delighted that he able to replace our tankless water heater the same day, and it has been working great ever since.
Would definitely recommend a Plumbing Express! About a month ago, we had an issue with leaks and ended up needing a full home repipe. Ed was our first point of contact and was wonderful at explaining everything to us. He was very thorough and helpful, which made a stressful situation feel more manageable. Communication was consistent throughout the entire process, which we really appreciated. A couple of days later, the work began and we met Jose and his team for the repipe. Everyone was great and worked diligently from early morning to late evening, completing everything in just one day. The next day, Kenny and his brother came in to handle the drywall, and they did an amazing job. With all the holes that had been made during the repiping, you truly couldn’t tell where anything had been opened up. This was a 2 day process. Ivan was also a pleasure to work with and helped us with any questions and payments along the way. Pricing was fair for the amount of work done, especially considering how quickly and efficiently everything was completed. Overall, this process was overwhelming for us, but the entire Plumbing Express team made it so much easier to get through.
Our house is less than six years old, so a total house re-pipe was about the farthest thing from our minds. But a hot water PEX pipe failed under the slab in our bathroom in an area that would require the shower area and some of the bathroom to be destroyed in order to get to and fix the leak. Obviously not a good situation and in the final analysis, a total re-pipe of the house would cost less and then we wouldn't be wondering if/when another under-slab leak would occur. We end up selecting Plumbing Express to do our large job. They have a team that does nothing but repiping ... including the initial assessment, all the plumbing, and then all of the drywall repair. And they do the whole thing really well. Everyone (and I mean everyone) at Plumbing Express that we interacted with during this extensive project was great. Ty handled our first phone call and was helpful. Ed came to do the initial assessment and also helped later on in the process. He has extensive experience and has a great way of relating that background to your situation. Ivan was the project manger and he was always very responsive and helpful. Lucio (the lead plumber), Hose', Ben, and Rad were the four plumbers that did the plumbing work. They were experienced, respectful, pleasant, and clearly liked working together. Lucio even found a way to get repiped hot and cold water to our kitchen island without having to jackhammer the floor and slab. Kenny and his crew did the drywall repair (and there was a bunch of it to do) and painting. Ed and Ivan told us that after Kenny was done, we wouldn't know that the plumbers had even been here. We were very skeptical. Holes were everywhere in walls and ceilings. But Kenny and his crew did a fantastic job with all of the repairs and it all looks as good as before the project began. It is impressive how well they employed their skills. We had (and still have) a tankless water heater with a recirculating pump and system. Prior to the repipe, some of our outlets had hot water faster than afterward. That is a function of the fact that the piping under the slab could be more direct to areas than the repipe that had to go overhead and through the walls. To a certain degree, that is just the way it is. But Ed and Ivan went the extra mile to help mitigate that situation in one area by working with us on installing an under-sink small water heater in the kitchen. That helped tremendously for that area. Facing this major plumbing situation, especially in a relatively new house, obviously isn't fun in any way. But these guys made the whole process as seamless and pleasant as possible for us. They truly are professional, helpful, friendly, and skillful. Regardless of how old your house is, if you need to have a repiping job done, this is the team you want!
Dylan arrived on time and was polite. He repaired a burst pipe to exterior faucet and did a great job. He also cleared a bathroom drain, advised we not use drain cleaners and showed us the gadget he uses. We will definitely call on Plumbing Express again.
Plumbing Express had some sound advice and good recommendations for the situation that I was in. The technician was helpful and very understanding.
Replacement of garbage disposal done quickly and cleanly by Tim. On time, too. Wonderful experience!
I had a great experience with plumbing express. JOSH arrived early, listened to the problem I was having and provided excellent solutions. He definitely went above and beyond to make sure I was completely satisfied.
Josh was very knowledgeable and helpful with the repair, installation and setting up the Moen Flo app.
Just purchased a home that had polybutylene pipes throughout. Searched online to find a company who specialized in repiping. Came across Plumbing Express. Read the reviews and comparison shopped as any good consumer should. Plumbing Express stood out above the rest by far. Blake provide information and proof to back his product. The installers arrived BEFORE their appointment, took excellent care of my home, and the drywall repair was perfection. I am extremely pleased with my choice. You can't go wrong with Plumbing Express. Update 3/20/26 I have found my forever plumber. I had Plumbing Express repipe my home a few years ago. I recently reached out; because, I thought I had a plumbing issue developing. Fortunately, I did not. The service technician Dylan was outstanding. He calmed my and my husband concerns and provided a plethora of information. I no longer have to worry about finding a good plumber. Dylan will be my go to plumber every time.
I had a great experience with my plumber Tim Robinson today. He was fast and very knowledgeable. I will definitely recommend him to others.
These guys sure know what they are doing. Besides that they where efficient, friendly, and quick
Had a great experience with Dylan from Plumbing Express! Scheduling was a breeze, he showed up on time, and his knowledge was impressive — he addressed all of our concerns without hesitation. The repair price was very competitive, and he even threw in an extra service at no additional charge. Will definitely be calling Plumbing Express again!
Rod was friendly and knowledgeable. He was very professional and efficient. He provided me with repair options with pricing.
Rod did an awesome jobinstalling my tankless water heater!! His attention to detail during the installation and clean up was top tier!!! I am very impressed with the service and product.
Dylan provided excellent service from start to finish. I would definitely recommend Dylan for anybody that values and appreciates receiving top-notch service.
Rod Anderson did an excellent job of removing pipes and closing off water access to my former master bathroom. It's now ready to be converted to a master walk-in closet. He did three different jobs in a timely manner. He's also a very nice and pleasant person. I will request him to come for my future plumbing projects.
We had Tim Robinson come to our laundromat to fix an issue what was causing a back up when our white top loaders where running. We had another company out before them that couldn't do the descaling and stated we needed to tear up the new floor we just did so they could do a camera inspection that maybe there was an issue with the pipe. Tim came right in and did the camera inspection and was able to do the descaling, the pipe was clogged causing the issue. We had a busy weekend with the washers and no issues at all. Splish Splash Laundromat is so glad we went with Plumbing Express.
Daniel was wonderful and we are happy with the work he did replacing our disposal. We would recommend.
Tim was amazing with a problem that we thought was bigger than it was. Friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Will highly recommend you reach out for honest and fast service!
Tim Robinson was very thorough and professional. He provided me with information on the process for repairs, estimates, and options for slab leak.
Josh was professional, honest and personable. He diagnosed the problem and even after I had signed a more expensive estimate, when he found the problem could be solved for less he let me know. Fast, efficient, and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
2nd time using their services and they didn’t disappoint. Very professional and friendly
I woke up to no hot water Sunday morning! I called Plumbing Express and they were able to schedule me for first call Monday. Josh arrived and surveyed the situation. He advised me that the T &P line had not been attached by the person who originally installed this in 2022! Josh attached the T & P, drained the water heater and set up the app on my phone for this water heater. Because I had the app, I got an email Tuesday morning with a water sensor alarm - I called Plumbing Express & Josh came back out to check it out. Gratefully it turned out to be the residual water that drained out of his hose when he disconnected it from draining. I highly recommend Josh and the Plumbing Express team!
As we expected Dylan did a fantastic job!! Dylan kept us informed along the maintenance and repair. Answered all questions we had before we even asked. Outstanding service , we were so very pleased. Dylan is a top notch professional ❤️❤️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Very knowledgeable, professional and personable. Completed the work on my bathroom and left everything nice and clean.
Tim did an awesome and quick job clearing a drain. He gave me a competitive quote and was very personable as well.
Anthony was great! Thorough, professional, courteous. He spent a great deal of time listening, answering my questions, and educating me.
Ivan is a very good service tech! He has taken care of all of my issues in a timely manner! He is a great asset for your company! He took care of a water leak we had in a quick timely manner!
Extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. The team was excellent. The job was completed in 1 day with a great team. Very expressive.
2 other companies and plumbers couldn’t fix the issue but Dylan was able to identify and fix the issue in one afternoon.
Tim Robinson and his crew did an awesome job on my plumbing issues. Quickly diagnose my problem, gave an estimate for the repair in a timely fashion No surprises. I don’t normally like recommending contractors electricians plumbers, but Plumbing Express is top-notch on my list. They were very good about notifying me with updates when the crew was on the way and worked me in on an earlier date, then was originally scheduled for. Thank you, Plumbing Express! Keeping you in my contacts.
Rod was professional and courteous. Provided insight and detailed quotes regarding my issue. Highly recommend
I had a whole home repipe on my home. It was built in the 70s and the copper pipes were constantly springing leaks so it needed to be done. They quoted me a competitive price for the job, but the best part was the followup and communication with the team along the way to ensure my specifications were met and I was completely satisfied with my water system. Ed Torres the plumber along with Ivan the scheduler, and really the whe team that completed the work and the drywallers, couldn't recommend them enough.