Repipe Pipelining

Trenchless & Polybutylene Pipelining Services

Failure of your sewer line will require immediate repair or replacement. Some of the signs of a problem include leaks, corrosion, rust or bad smell, pinhole leaks, slab leaks, low water pressure, water meter moving when water is off, mold or water stains, warm spot in your floor, or bursting of pipes.

If you are not sure whether your home is a candidate for pipelining or if a complete re-pipe is the best solution, our expert Comfort Advisors will assess your particular situation and provide you with options.

Anderson Plumbing Heating & Air is the only plumbing company in San Diego that has Comfort Advisors who are experts in every facet of potable water pipe restoration. When you need repiping or pipelining services in San Diego County, we’re the name to call.

Types of Re-Pipe & Pipelining Services We Offer

When it comes to repairing a broken or failing sewer line, there are a few options. The right choice for your home will depend on a few factors, including the age of your existing pipes, the extent of damage, and your budget.

At Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air, we are adept at handling all types of repiping and pipelining services, including:

• Polybutylene Pipe Repair & Replacement: Polybutylene pipe is gray plastic water supply line pipe that was developed in the 1970s. It was actually touted as the pipe of the future. It cost less than copper and was easier to install. Unfortunately, any home that plumbed with polybutylene is like a ticking time bomb. It is not a question of if it will leak, but when.
• Trenchless Sewer Replacement Experts: If you’ve had a sewer or drain back-up, chances are it’s not the first and won’t be the last. Multiple back-ups usually mean your sewage system is failing. We recommend following up with a complete video inspection of the entire system to identify what is causing the problem and to determine whether or not it will be a recurring issue. Whether it’s deterioration due to age or roots finding their way to water, we’ll be able to see the problem and present you with your options. Our expertise with trenchless sewer replacement means little to no digging in your lawn and the process is more cost-effective than traditional methods.
• Trenchless Sewer & Drain Lining: In the most basic terms, trenchless sewer lining is the process of creating a new pipe inside the existing host pipe. A resin-saturated felt tube made of polyester is inserted or pulled into a damaged pipe. Little to no digging is involved in this trenchless drain lining process, making for a more environmentally-friendly method than traditional “dig and replace” sewer and drain pipe repair methods. Trenchless sewer and drain rehabilitation methods are generally more cost-effective than traditional exhume (dig) and replace methods. Many people in San Diego are now looking to trenchless pipelining as an alternative to traditional sewer and drain repair.

How to Tell if You Have Polybutylene Pipes

To determine if your home is a “poly house,” start with the exterior. Underground water mains are usually blue in color (they can also be black or gray). The pipe is usually ½ to 1-inch in diameter. Frequently, it enters the home near the water heater. Your main shut off is attached to the end of the water main.

Make sure you check both ends of the pipe. We have found cases where the copper pipe enters the home and polybutylene is at the meter.

Polybutylene used inside your home can be found near the water heater or coming out of the walls to feed sinks or toilets. Warning: some plumbers installed “stub outs” of copper when exiting the wall. Just because copper is showing does not mean you do not have polybutylene pipes. You may have to make a small hole in the drywall to see the connection.

Why Polybutylene Pipes Fail & What to Do Next

Oxidants such as chlorine in the public water supply react with the polybutylene piping and acetal fittings, causing them to scale, flake, and become brittle. This results in micro-fractures and reduces the basic structural integrity of the system. The system becomes weak and may fail without warning, causing damage to the building structure and personal property. Improper installation is also a common cause of polybutylene system failure, which can be nearly impossible to detect.

Throughout the 1980’s lawsuits were filed hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Manufacturers never admitted that poly is defective, but they did fund a class action settlement for $950 million.

If your polybutylene pipes have failed, read your insurance policy thoroughly. Make sure you know what is covered and what is not covered. Many insurance companies will not cover a slow leak. Claims may be denied because the standard HO-3 homeowners’ policy specifically excludes “a loss as the result of a water leak over an extended period of time.”

Call your insurance agent and confirm your coverage. Once you have read through your policy and confirmed what is covered and what is not covered, double check with your agent to confirm that your understanding is correct.

Call Us for a Repiping or Pipelining Consultation

A re-pipe or pipelining consultation will take about an hour. This is not a high-pressure sales meeting; the purpose is to provide you with accurate information. If you determine it is not in the budget at the time, at least you will know what your plumbing issues are and what it will take to regain security and peace of mind.

An affordable temporary option may be leak detection products that automatically shut off the water if a leak occurs.