Need advice from retired plumbers!
 

So, we finally get an offer and accepted it here in VA. Trying to be FROGS soon..Home inspection was done today. After 6 ( yes 6!) hours, the inspectors only "bad "thing was we have polybutelone(sp) ( quest ) pipes in house. We have a rancher 19 years old with never a problem. Inspector says "Big thing on 60 minutes, large suit, terrible thing about these pipes... blah blah.."..Ok So...< first I freak out, research and then call a plumbing co to look. Their response was. "Well if it were a 2 story I would be upset but this is a ranch and honestly if there were going to be problems, you would have seen them years 4-10 ..Also, if they want it, I can replace the ones in the wall only where damage could occur ( 1200) or the entire ones under the house 2600.00..Buyer is a realtor by trade ( buying for herself) says these quest pipes are the "kiss of death" for any home sale..HELP, what is the truth about this situation???

Not a retired plumber but.............. did a Google search and found this..http://www.polybutylene.com/poly.html

The BUYER is "spot on" saying that "Polybutylene" pipes are the "kiss of death" to a home sale. Those pipes go bad from the inside out...............................IMHO...... Get a more "up to speed" Plumbing Co...AND ...replace ALL of the "Polybutylene" pipes ......However.....AM NOT a retired plumber. ............... END OF RANT

wlou - Given that you're selling the house, you might consider offering the buyer a credit for the estimated amount of the repairs and let them do with the money what they will. That way if the piping gets replaced, it the buyer choosing who do have to it, etc. If necessary, maybe just bump the credit amount up a bit to sweeten the deal for them........and to get it off of your plate. That way if something goes haywire during the replacement process, it's in their hands and not your issue to deal with.

Just a thought.......

Bill :)

retired plumber
 

My opinion, from plumber and recent house seller, get 2 more quotes for complete replacement. Then take an average of 3 quotes and reduce price of your house by this amount. Let the new homeowners take care of problem with money from reduced home price. Then pass along plumbers quotes and let them decide course of action.

The big ticket item after the home inspection when we were selling our home was radon and there were a few minor items. We offered a cash reduction in the price so that we would not be burdened with the repairs and then we negotiated the amount.

This never works....This does not put cash in hand to fix...If I were the buyer the seller would fix or the deal is off...

Not a plumber, but
 

I have repaired several fittings on this type of pipe. I have never found the pipe to be defective but the fittings (elbows, "t" and adapters) fail. They can be replaced with "shark bite" fittings and "pex" pipe. If the plumber's price to replace, is with copper pipe, ask what it would cost using "pex" pipe.

I agree. In this market there is no real incentive for a buyer to take on the burden of having a repair made even if given a reduction in price unless they really love the home. It's an inconveniences and may cause the buyer to scrutinize everything. You will sell your house faster if you fix everything before an inspector finds it.
When an inspector finds something seriously wrong the buyer has the option of backing out of the deal. Don't give the buyer more on an upper hand than he already has.

Evidently worked for Jojo!

Becky

Poly
 

It is always the fittings and Woolman was right too. The only thing I can add is I know at one time a class action suit was filed about this it is probally to late but looking is free. Stay or go it has to be changed.Not retired yet but tomorrow will not be my first day as a plumber.

sold a home at the NJ Shore and had to give a credit of 7400.00 to the buyer for the plastic piping replacement. The home was a raised rancher and only 1400 sq foot home, this price was for pex not copper. Our tubing was installed for 15 years with no problems with fittings or tubing but buyers will not buy a home with this potential problem.