Polybutylene Pipes in home

[Fabian G.]

Hi, 

I bought a condo about 4 years ago and lived there until recently. Given the massive price increase an my area (Naples, FL) and the restrictive HOA when it comes to rentals (not more than 6 months, has to be re-approved every 6 months, no animals allowed for renters and more) I decided to sell the condo.

Long story short, it has Polybutylene Pipes. So I went back to my inspection report and the guy who did the inspection only noted that it might be an insurance concern. That's all. Didn't even make it a big deal or flag this item. Now four years later in the inspection report from my buyer a more dramatic statement is made: "Polyethylene Plumbing Supply Lines have been known to to be randomly defective and can rapture without notice" and the buyer wants me to replace the Polybutylene Pipes in the condo. I feel like the home inspector that did my inspection should have made a similar statement since Polybutylene Pipes are not up to code anymore since 2007 (I bought the condo end of 2017). To replace all the pipes will be between $6k and $9k

Any feedback and recommendations on what I can best do would be appreciated. 

Thank you!

Best,

Fabian

[Russell Brazil]

Originally posted by @Fabian G.:

Thank you! I think the problem are the vastly different statements in the inspection reports. If it would have been similarly mentioned in my report, I would have of course pressed for a discount or to replace it. Also, all the homes here in the area have these pipes that were build somewhere between 1982 and 1995. The condo I own was build in 1992, so right on the edge. 

 If 1 unit has it....every single unit has it, so no discount would be warranted.

Every decade in real estate has some particular sub par product. Could be lead paint, asbestos, polybutylene pipes, aluminum wiring, federal pacific panels, galvinized steel pipes, lead pipes.

The fact is the vast majority of houses with any of these flaws are perfectly fine, and only a small minority of them will cause issues for their owners.

Ask 10 different knowledgeable people about how bad any of these issues are and youll get 10 different answers.