Apr 10, 2019
Polybutylene is a plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as “the pipe of the future” and were used as a substitute for traditional copper piping. It is most commonly found in Northern Virginia areas such as Alexandria, Annandale, Dale City, Dumfries, Herndon, Lake Ridge, Manassas, Montclair, Oakton, and Springfield.
Exterior – Polybutylene underground water mains are usually blue, but may be gray or black (do not confuse black poly with polyethelene pipe). It is usually 1/2″ or 1″ in diameter, and it may be found entering your home through the basement wall or floor, concrete slab or coming up through your crawlspace. Frequently it enters the home near the water heater. Your main shutoff valve is attached to the end of the water main. Also check the water meter that is located near the city water main. It is wise to check at both ends of the pipe because we have found cases where copper pipe enters the home, and poly pipe is at the water meter. Obviously, both pipes were used and connected somewhere underground.
Interior – Polybutylene used inside your home can be found near the water heater, running across the ceiling in unfinished basements, and coming out of the walls to feed sinks and toilets. Warning: In some regions of the country plumbers used copper “stub outs” where the pipe exits a wall to feed a fixture, so seeing copper here does not mean that you do not have poly.
1. We ask that you stop using either the shower or the toilet in the bathroom above the leak location.
2. If the bathrooms are both on top of the leak, use only one bathroom for a few days then switch to the other.
3. Check daily for leaks.
4. If after a few days the location of the leak cannot be identified, we will come out and perform a Minor leak search using both moisture and thermal imaging, combined with precise fixture troubleshooting at tie-in and connections.
5. The next step is a major leak search involving drop cloths, ladder, and dry wall cutting. Once the problem is located, we can explain your options and provide pricing for that specific job.
Northern Virginia Plumbing Services is happy to offer our Customers a free written estimate when possible. The value of a comprehensive estimate when comparing contractors is priceless.
To qualify for a free estimate, customers must:
A) Be the property owner (NVPS needs to deal directly with the owner),
B) Reside within the Northern Virginia service area, AND
C) Plan to have all work performed during regular business hours.
The following conditions apply:
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We recognize those that have carried an extra burden for society deserve a hand-up, not a hand-out so we offer the following (please mention your discount when contacting N.V.P.S.):
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N.V.P.S. cannot offer any warranty for Material that is Owner Furnished. There is No implied Warranty or Warranty of Merchantability on any Material that is Owner Furnished. Acquisition of repair parts and labor costs after 30 days of work completion is the responsibility of the Customer providing Material.
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Just like you, we are looking forward to a return to normal day to day operations. Our technicians have been inoculated for the Corona Virus and we are grateful for all the hard work that went into finding and delivering these vaccines. Because we are a customer service business, we will maintain the current levels of protection that both the Virginia State Health Department and the CDC mandate.