South Florida Pipe Experts

Expert Polybutylene Pipe Replacement in South Florida

Polybutylene pipes were installed in millions of Florida homes — and they’re a ticking clock. Erica’s Plumbing specializes in complete polybutylene pipe replacement across Palm Beach and Broward County before they fail without warning.

  • Licensed Polybutylene Pipe Specialists

  • Full Home Repipe — No Partial Fixes

  • Minimal Disruption to Walls & Flooring

  • Flat-Rate, Upfront Pricing

  • Gas, Tankless, or Traditional Water Heaters

✓ Satisfaction Guaranteed • Woman-Owned Business • Serving South Florida for Over a Decade

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17+ Years

SERVING SOUTH FLORIDA

What Is Poly-B?

Why Polybutylene Pipes Are a Problem

Polybutylene (poly-b) is a gray or blue plastic pipe material installed in homes throughout the U.S. from the mid-1970s through 1995. It was inexpensive and easy to install — but it reacts with oxidants commonly found in treated water, causing the pipe to flake, scale, and crack from the inside out.

The problem: poly-b pipes can fail with almost no warning. Joints and fittings fail first, often inside walls, under slabs, or in ceilings — meaning by the time you notice water damage, significant harm has already occurred.

A major class-action lawsuit settled in 1995 acknowledged the systemic failure rate of polybutylene piping. Today, many homeowners’ insurance carriers in Florida either refuse to cover homes with active poly-b systems or charge significantly higher premiums. Getting a home inspection or sale contingency cleared also routinely flags polybutylene as a material defect.

How to Identify Poly-B Pipes

  • Gray, blue, or black flexible plastic pipe
  • Stamped “PB2110” on the pipe surface
  • Typically found in homes built 1978–1995
  • Connected with plastic or aluminum crimp fittings
  • Often runs through walls, crawl spaces, or under slabs
  • Common in attics connecting to water heaters

Not sure if your home has poly-b? Call us — we inspect and confirm at no charge before quoting.

Our Process

How We Replace Polybutylene Pipes

We remove every foot of polybutylene pipe in your home and replace it with modern, durable PEX or CPVC — with minimal disruption to your walls, floors, and daily routine.

01

Free Inspection & Quote

We confirm the presence of poly-b, assess the full scope of your system, and provide a flat-rate quote before any work begins.

02

Pipe Removal & Isolation

We shut off the water supply, systematically remove all polybutylene piping, and protect your home’s structure throughout the process.

03

PEX or CPVC Installation

We replace your entire system with modern, flexible PEX or rigid CPVC — both proven materials that meet Florida code and are resistant to corrosion and chemical degradation.

04

Final Testing & Sign-Off

We pressure-test the new system, confirm full water flow to every fixture, restore any access points opened during installation, and walk you through the completed work.

Warning Signs

Signs Your Poly-B Pipes Are Failing

Poly-b failure often starts quietly inside your walls. Don’t wait for a flood — act on these early warning signs.

Unexplained Water Stains

Discoloration on walls, ceilings, or baseboards often indicates a slow pipe leak that’s been spreading undetected for weeks or months.

Low Water Pressure

Restricted flow throughout your home — not just at one fixture — can signal that poly-b scaling and cracking is reducing pipe diameter internally.

Spiking Water Bills

A sudden increase in water usage with no lifestyle change is a strong indicator of an active leak — often a poly-b joint that has let go inside a wall.

Insurance Issues or Denied Coverage

Many Florida insurers now require poly-b removal to maintain or renew homeowners’ coverage. Replacement documentation satisfies most carrier requirements.

Home Inspection Flag

Poly-b is routinely flagged as a material defect during home inspections. Replacing it proactively protects your home’s resale value and removes buyer contingencies.

Musty Odors or Visible Mold

Chronic moisture from slow poly-b leaks creates ideal mold conditions inside walls. If you smell mildew without an obvious source, a hidden leak is likely the culprit.

Common Questions

Polybutylene Pipe Replacement FAQs

Polybutylene pipes are typically gray, blue, or black flexible plastic, and are stamped with “PB2110” on the surface. They were commonly installed in Florida homes built between 1978 and 1995. You may find them running from your main water meter into the home, in the attic near the water heater, or under sinks behind the walls. If you’re unsure, call us — we’ll inspect for free.

Spot repairs are not recommended for polybutylene. Because the entire pipe material degrades over time, repairing one failure point simply shifts pressure to the next weakest joint. The only reliable long-term solution is complete removal and replacement. Most plumbing professionals, home inspectors, and insurance carriers agree that full replacement is the correct course of action.

Most single-family home replacements are completed in one to two days. The timeline depends on the home’s size, the number of fixtures, and how accessible the existing pipes are. We’ll give you an accurate time estimate during the free inspection before any work begins.

Some access points are typically needed, but our team works to minimize wall and ceiling disruption wherever possible. In many cases we can run new PEX lines through existing pathways. Any access openings are patched and restored as part of the job.

Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover the cost of proactive pipe replacement — they typically only cover sudden, accidental water damage caused by a failure. However, completing the replacement often satisfies carrier requirements to maintain or renew your policy, and can prevent a far more expensive claim down the road. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before and after the work is done.

We serve Palm Beach County and Broward County, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Deerfield Beach. Call 561-260-5763 to confirm availability in your area.

Have Polybutylene Pipes? Let’s Replace Them.

Serving Palm Beach & Broward County. Flat-rate pricing. Free inspection. No surprises.