Polybutylene Pipe (Homes Built 1975 to 1995)
Polybutylene pipe was widely installed in Las Vegas homes built from the mid-1970s through the mid-1990s. It was used as a less expensive alternative to copper during the rapid growth period of the Las Vegas Valley. Polybutylene degrades when exposed to chlorine and oxidants in municipal water, causing the pipe walls to become brittle and crack. In Las Vegas, hard water mineral deposits inside the pipe accelerate this deterioration further. Polybutylene can fail without any external warning signs, causing sudden flooding inside walls or under flooring. If your home was built between 1975 and 1995 and has not been repiped, a plumber can confirm whether polybutylene supply lines are present.

