Polybutylene piping

[BigAl]

I have just replaced a valve that started to leak. All my piping is polybutylene; with copper fittings joining the pieces of pipe. I have read that this pipe is vulneralble to failure from exposure to chlorinated water. Seems like we always use chlorinated water. The sections of pipe that I removed seem to be exactly what you expect. Strong and flexible.
My question is, should I plan to replace all of it due to potential failure? It is 30 years old.
Have any of you with this type of piping had leaks due to pipe failure?
Thanks, Al

[nvestysly]

Hi Al,

A small section of polybutylene pipe in our trailer developed a leak. Fortunately, the pipe was in one of the storage areas under one of the twin beds, so it was easy to access. Turns out the city water inlet also needed to be replaced (due to age).

I installed a 4 foot piece of PEX, used PEX fittings for the new elbows that connected to the city water and used a PEX to polybutylene straight connector to join the old to the new.

I refrained from replacing all the polybutylene tubing, instead using the "Band-Aid" approach. I know that approach may simply be putting off the inevitable.

I purchased a relatively inexpensive set of PEX tools, clamps, etc. at a big box store.

Don't overlook the PEX to polybutylene straight connector (coupler?). The nominal size of the PEX and polybutylene are the same 1/2" (for example) but because of wall thickness the outer diameter and even inner diameter (I think) are different. Regardless, the coupler was key to joining old and new pipe. The crimp clamps for the coupler are also very specific to which fits which end of the coupler. I seem to recall they were color-coded.

[richard5933]

I've also got a 1994 Excella with the gray potentially leaking plumbing.

But, so far there have been zero problems with it. Perhaps the previous owners didn't have heavily chlorinated water? Or perhaps I've just been lucky?

Either way, I've opted to do nothing until I need to do something. At that point I'll have to figure out how to snake some PEX tubing throughout the trailer and replumb things. Till then I'm just enjoying things how they are.

One thing that has required attention in the plumbing system though are the connectors - apparently there is a washer inside the plastic/nylon connectors used throughout and some of them have needed to be replaced over the past few years. I carry spares with me now.

[crispyboy]

I have had the valves break apart for no reason but no issues with the pipe itself.

[Bill M.]

I have 2 of the older trailers with the PB piping. I have also just used the "fix the parts that are broke" approach. PEX whenever and wherever there is a problem or change but not the whole system. One of my trailers was frozen without winterizing it before I bought it. I had several of the PB elbows break. The other trailer has been relatively trouble free with the piping. I do not think I have actually had a broken pipe in it. A whole trailer upgrade would be nice to have but a good bit of expense also. I carry in the trailer a plastic box with cutter, crimper, and a good assortment of PEX fittings. And a couple pieces of pipe.

[BigAl]

Thanks for all the replies. It was one of the low point drain valves that failed. I replaced
Both of them and all the pipe required to do that with pex. The pipe that I removed looks like it is brand new, so I don’t worry too much about pipe failure. Still scary that it might develop pin hole leaks. It was very difficult to do since there is no room to work. Might change more when I have time.

[BigAl]

On closer inspection of the pipe that I removed, it became obvious that the piece of pipe past the low point drain valve(the piece that never has water in it) is quite a bit more flexible than the sections that are normally filled with water. Makes me think, that I should plan on replacing the rest of the system sooner than later.

[nelsonh]

Speaking as someone who works in the residential plumbing & HVAC trade... We are definitely not fans of polybutylene water piping, especially when it gets "old". Nowadays of course, pex tubing has become the standard for residential water piping and is superior to any other (non-copper) tubing alternative. And actually superior to copper in some ways. I'm guessing the prospect of replacing all of your trailers water lines would be a significant undertaking, but personally if I had an Airstream full of polybutylene piping, I would try very hard to do just that for the long term peace of mind. Just IMO!

[waninae39]

we replaced most of the as used plastic pex fittings with brass fittings
we heard that the plastic pex breaks down over time