Replacing a polybutylene pipe costs on average $15,000, but if you need to repipe a whole home expect to pay much more.
The cost to replace polybutylene pipes runs between $300 and $5,100, with the average homeowner spending $1,200 on polybutylene pipe replacement. Polybutylene pipes are no longer used in new construction because they are prone to defects, leaks, and pipe bursts. If you still have these pipes in your home, you should replace them as soon as possible.
Polybutylene pipe replacement costs can vary widely, based on the type of pipe you replace them with, the extent of the existing piping, and any repairs to damage caused by the old pipes. If you have to repipe your entire home, you could spend as much as $15,000.
Polybutylene pipes were once a popular solution in homes. They were easy to install, affordable, and resistant to freezing. This popularity among home builders means lots of homes built (or repiped) between the late 1970s and mid-1990s have polybutylene pipes.
However, as time went on, plumbing professionals discovered that polybutylene pipes have a lot of downsides. The plastic pipes deteriorate quickly from the fluoride and chlorine in the municipal water supply, eventually leaking or bursting. Many homeowners found that the pipes wouldn’t last more than 10 to 15 years.
The good news? Because of their short lifespan, it’s not common to find polybutylene pipes in older homes anymore. If they were installed in the mid-1990s, most will have lasted until 2010-ish, at best. Homeowners insurance policies have also targeted homes with these pipes over the last decade, requiring that they be replaced to keep the policy in force. That means there’s a good chance your home doesn’t have polybutylene pipes.
However, some homes may still have sections of polybutylene pipes or may be piped entirely with the material. If that’s the case for your house, we highly recommend replacing the polybutylene pipes now, rather than waiting for the impending water damage to occur. The cost to repipe a home is steep—but it’s less than fixing the effects of extensive water damage (and then still having to repipe anyway).
The two main costs associated with polybutylene pipe replacement are the materials of the new pipe and the labor to remove old pipes and install the new ones. In some cases, there may be additional costs to factor in.
New pipe materials can cost anywhere from $0.50 to $8 per linear foot. The material itself does not make up the bulk of polybutylene pipe replacement; instead, the high project costs largely come from the labor.
Pipe replacement costs an average of $150 to $250 per linear foot. With materials maxing out at around $8 per linear foot, labor clearly accounts for a large portion of the cost.
On average, hiring a plumber costs between $45 and $200 per hour, and most will charge a service fee just to come in the door. Simple pipe replacement may only take a couple of hours, but repiping an entire house can take a week or more.
If you aren’t sure if your home has any polybutylene pipes, you might want to hire a plumber to conduct a thorough inspection. Plumbing inspections cost between $100 and $1,375, depending on the extent of the inspection.
Even if they don’t find polybutylene pipes to replace, they may discover other plumbing problems you weren’t aware of—meaning they can fix them now before the problems get worse and lead to costly water damage.
On the other hand, you may know your home has polybutylene pipes—possibly because one has just burst and led to severe water damage. If that’s the case, not only will you need to budget for the cost to replace the pipes, but you’ll also need to cover the cost of water damage restoration.
Several factors can impact how much you’ll spend to replace polybutylene pipes throughout your home, including the type of replacement pipe you install and the extent of work required.
In general, you’ll choose between three types of pipe when replacing polybutylene pipes: CPVC, PEX, and copper piping.
| Type of Pipe | Cost Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride piping (CPVC) | $0.50–$1 |
| Polyethylene (PEX) piping | $0.40–$2 |
| Copper piping | $2–$8 |
The plumber you hire can recommend the best pipes for your needs, but here’s a quick breakdown of the three options:
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride piping (CPVC): This is the most affordable and common type of pipe for pipe repair, at $0.50 to $1 per linear foot. It’s stronger than regular PVC pipes (often used for waste drainage), can handle high temperatures, is resistant to corrosion, and can last from 50 to 75 years.
Polyethylene (PEX) piping: PEX piping is a flexible tubing that won’t rust or corrode. Because it’s coiled, it’s great for navigating the tight spaces and twists and turns within your walls. Prepare to spend between $0.40 and $2 per linear foot. Though PEX is too new to say with certainty, experts believe it can last between 80 and 100 years.
Copper piping: Copper is the most expensive option at $2 to $8 per linear foot, but it’s also the highest quality. These durable pipes can last 100 years—or more, in some cases.
How much you spend on replacing polybutylene pipes depends on how pervasive this material is throughout your home. If your whole home uses polybutylene pipes and it’s 2,000 square feet or more, you might spend up to $15,000 to replace everything.
On the other hand, replacing polybutylene pipes on a single fixture can be much more affordable. On average, repiping a single fixture runs between $70 and $1,000. Luckily, it’s much more likely that you have only one or two fixtures with this type of pipe.
Labor rates for repiping can vary significantly, depending on a number of factors. First and foremost, where you live will impact plumber rates. Areas with a higher cost of living—such as cities and coastal states—have higher labor costs than suburbs and rural areas.
Other factors can also impact labor rates. Pipe bursts during extreme cold seasons, for instance, might drive up plumbers’ emergency rates, as they’re likely getting multiple calls about frozen pipes, and can charge higher rates for their services. The accessibility of the pipes can also play a role in the labor cost; if the plumber needs to take out drywall to access the pipes, expect labor costs to go up significantly.
The cost to replace polybutylene pipes may not be all you have to budget for. If your pipes have leaked or burst, you may also have to repair your ceiling, drywall, and floors. This could require other professionals, depending on the extent of the water damage.
These costs can vary significantly depending on the extent of damage, but here’s a general idea of what you might spend:
| Type of Repair | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Ceiling | $450–$1,600 |
| Drywall | $300–$850 |
| Floor | $250–$550 |
In addition, you may need to budget for appliance repair costs (between $100 and $250, unless you need to replace a broken appliance) and mold remediation costs (from $1,125 to $3,345).
Looking for ways to cut down the cost of replacing polybutylene pipes? Here are a few ways to save on this plumbing project:
Don’t do it piecemeal. If you discover one fixture in your home has polybutylene pipes, don’t simply have the plumber replace those. Conduct a full investigation of your home’s pipes and replace any made from this material. The cost may be higher upfront, but you’ll spend a lot more by calling a plumber out repeatedly to replace burst pipes as you find them.
Use CPVC for the replacement. The cheapest pipe material you can use for plumbing fixtures is usually CPVC. Expect to spend between $0.50 and $1 per linear foot on materials.
Do the work yourself. Most of the cost to replace polybutylene pipes comes from the labor itself. If you have the tools at home—and an advanced understanding of plumbing—you could tackle this job on your own. However, make sure you know what you’re doing; a simple mistake could mean you’ll still have to call a plumber and spend even more money to fix what you did wrong.
Labor makes up a large portion of the cost to replace polybutylene pipes. You can save a lot of money by choosing to replace the pipes yourself. However, this is hard work that requires special knowledge and tools. If you aren’t experienced in plumbing projects yourself, this is one that’s best left to a qualified plumber near you.
Homeowners insurance policies generally do not cover polybutylene pipes because of the high risk they pose. Some homeowners insurance companies have been threatening to terminate policies if homeowners do not replace them. Review your personal policy to be sure, but it’s a safe bet that they’re not covered—and you should prioritize repiping your home as soon as possible to avoid costly, uncovered damage.
Yes, polybutylene pipes absolutely need to be replaced. These pipes do not last long and pose major threats of leaks and bursts because they cannot withstand the elements found in municipal water, such as chlorine and fluoride. If your home still has any polybutylene pipes, hire a plumber right away to replace them with a better, more durable type of pipe.
At most, polybutylene pipes last 10 to 15 years. The material is simply not durable enough to withstand some of the chemical elements found in our water supply, such as fluoride and chlorine. These pipes tend to deteriorate quickly and lead to leaks or even pipe bursts. If your home still has polybutylene pipes, we recommend replacing them as soon as possible to prevent major water damage in your home.
