Is UK polyb pipe the same as the stuff CONDEMNED in the US?

[cgullcharlie]

Polybutylene was condemned in the states because it flakes, leakes and splits.

Is our UK stuff the same as what has been condemned in the US?

Am I taking a risk using it? Anyone have any postive or negative stories?

 

[electronicsuk]

I thought most modern stuff was polyethylene?

 

[bengasman]

Good UK plastic pipe comes with 25 year warrantee.

 

[cgullcharlie]

Im talking specifically about polybutyene barrier pipe. For example the 15mm polyplumb like you get at Wickes that can be used instead of copper.

 

[electronicsuk]

Im talking specifically about polybutyene barrier pipe. For example the 15mm polyplumb like you get at Wickes that can be used instead of copper.

Again, as far as I'm aware, it's not polybutylene. It's PEX, which stands for crosslinked polyethylene.

 

[JohnD]

Is our UK stuff the same as what has been condemned in the US?

What prompted you to ask? Did you join this forum because you have a special interest in American plastic pipe?

 

[Onetap]

Polybutylene was condemned in the states because it flakes, leakes and splits.

Is our UK stuff the same as what has been condemned in the US?

Am I taking a risk using it? Anyone have any postive or negative stories?

Polybutylene was withdrawn from the US market because of adverse publicity. There was a big class action law suit. So far as I know, the problem was with defective joints and not with the PB pipe itself.

Plastic plumbing is either PEX or PB. I've used both and would use both again. ISTR that the PB can't be used for HWS circulation systems with chlorinated water; see installation instructions.

 

[cgullcharlie]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Its not PEX, its PB I'm talking about.

I want to run PB in my house, but I did some research and saw it was condemned in the USA.

Whats the difference with our PB that makes it not susceptible to the horror stories from the USA?

 

[muggles]

Hep2o is Polybutylene, and incidentally carries a 50-year warranty

 

[gasbanni]

Hep2o is Polybutylene, and incidentally carries a 50-year warranty

So is speedfit and polypipe, warranty means absolutely nothing.
plastic for diy'rs copper for pro's
copper for me first last and always. I used to think that with plastic if it froze it would thaw and you'd be ok because it would stretch and not split.....not anymore cases seen where copper ok plastic split !

 

[cgullcharlie]

Maybe the difference is our PB is barrier pipe - maybe the USA stuff didn't have resistance to oxygen?

 

[gasbanni]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Its not PEX, its PB I'm talking about.

I want to run PB in my house, but I did some research and saw it was condemned in the USA.

Whats the difference with our PB that makes it not susceptible to the horror stories from the USA?

Only use it where you can get to it if you need to, not where it becomes inaccessable. Where its inaccessable use copper.
Do yourself a favour and ignore any opinion contrary to this. even if you dont thank me now, youll thank me in years to come if you follow the advice
Ps mice like tha plastic too !

 

[Norcon]

not where it becomes inaccessable

What do you recommend for UFH , cold mains supplies to properties and farm/livestock supply distribution networks etc etc?

Copper?

 

[Wangerman]

not where it becomes inaccessable

What do you recommend for UFH , cold mains supplies to properties and farm/livestock supply distribution networks etc etc?

Copper?

Denso'd iron

 

[xr4x4]

wasnt the plastic pipe attacked in the early stages due them leaking.

then wasnt this found out to be the fitters not using inserts in the pipes?

or something like that.