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Polybutylene Pipes in Florida Homes: The Ticking Time Bomb

4.7 / 5 ★★★★★ Based on 435 Google Reviews
March 25, 2025 1 min read Prevention
WrightWay Emergency Services — Polybutylene Pipes in Florida Homes: The Ticking Time Bomb

Polybutylene Pipes: Florida’s Hidden Water Damage Risk

If your Florida home was built between 1978 and 1995, there’s a significant chance it contains polybutylene (PB) water supply pipes. These gray, flexible pipes were used in an estimated 6-10 million homes nationwide before a class-action lawsuit led to their discontinuation.

Why Polybutylene Pipes Fail

Polybutylene reacts with chlorine and other oxidants in municipal water, causing the pipe material to become brittle and flake from the inside out. Failures are sudden and catastrophic : not slow leaks but complete pipe ruptures.

How to Identify Polybutylene

  • Look for gray (sometimes blue or black) flexible plastic pipes under sinks and at the water meter
  • Pipe will be stamped “PB” followed by a four-digit number (e.g., PB2110)
  • Check the water meter : polybutylene main lines are gray flexible pipe
  • Common brands: Vanguard, Qest, Shell Oil Company

What to Do

Insurance companies increasingly exclude or surcharge properties with polybutylene. A whole-home re-pipe costs $4,000-$10,000 but prevents catastrophic failures that cost $10,000-$50,000+ in restoration. Some insurers offer premium discounts after re-piping.

If your polybutylene pipes have already failed, call WrightWay at (941) 379-8669 for emergency water damage restoration.

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Patricia Mastrorilli
7 months ago

We had the best experience with Wrightway! We had a flooding incident from our AC system that seeped into the walls and under the laminate flooring. They were prompt, professional and did a great job drying out and cleaning up everything for us! We also had them do the repairs and we were 100% impressed with their work! Everyone we came in contact with in the office and into our home were respectful and knowledgeable. They worked with us on a great price! We can't say enough about a great experience during a stressful time! A special shout out to Alicia who was great to work with! Thank you all so much!

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Madison Jones
11 months ago

Richie Correa with Wright Way was fantastic. He was punctual, efficient and educated me through the whole process of cleaning and sanitizing our air vents. Answered all my questions and was honest and knowledgeable with over 25 years experience. Highly recommend!

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Russell Titus
5 months ago

Had a great experience with Wrightway. 3 weeks ago my townhouse had major water intrusion, wet drywall, and water everywhere. The HOA called them at 3pm and by 5pm the crew was onsite with dryers and tearing out the wet drywall. The techs wore shoe covers, were very professional, and made sure to cover and drape unexposed areas. Fernando the project lead called me every other day to keep me updated on the dry out and remediation. The had infrared moisture meters and some pretty high tech stuff. Fernando coordinated with the exterior work to fix the leak, and the interior drywall replacement. I have heard horror stories about remediation companies ripping people off, but this is absolutely not the case with Wrightway. They turned a horrible situation into nothing more than a mild inconvenience. 5 stars for everyone I came in contact with. Great job

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WrightWay Emergency Services is a full-service property restoration company headquartered at 300 Triple Diamond Blvd, Nokomis, FL 34275. We specialize in water damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, mold remediation, storm damage repair, and complete reconstruction for residential and commercial properties throughout Southwest Florida. Our IICRC-certified technicians and Florida-licensed contractors deliver 24/7 emergency response so you can get back to normal as quickly as possible.

WrightWay Emergency Services proudly serves Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties in Southwest Florida. Whether you are in Bradenton, Sarasota, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, or Naples, our crews can reach you quickly for any emergency restoration need. Call us at (941) 379-8669 and we will dispatch a team to your location.

Yes. WrightWay Emergency Services operates around the clock, 365 days a year. Water damage, fires, and storms do not wait for business hours, and neither do we. Call (941) 379-8669 any time, day or night, and our emergency dispatch team will coordinate an immediate response to your property.

Absolutely. All WrightWay technicians hold certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the industry gold standard for restoration professionals. We are also a Florida-licensed building contractor, which means we can handle every phase of your project from initial mitigation through final reconstruction under one roof.

Yes. WrightWay works with virtually every major homeowner’s and commercial insurance carrier. Our team prepares thorough documentation including photo evidence, moisture readings, and detailed estimates to support your claims process. We provide all the documentation your adjuster needs so you can focus on your family or business instead of paperwork.

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