Boden wrote:
E Z Peaces wrote:

The last time I replaced a water heater, I had to call a plumber
because I didn't have a crimper or expertise for working with
polybutylene pipe. He charged $100 to make a couple of
connections. He was disappointed that I'd already bought the new
water heater. Records show that he was the one who installed
polybutylene in this house, and it was after widespread problems had
come to light. I'm glad I didn't have him supply the new water heater.

Your plumber did nothing wrong by installing polybutylene pipe. The
massive problems with polybutylene was because of improper installation,
not defective material. Many plumbers first action was to throw away
the installation instructions...they knew every thing already. Improper
assembly and crimping of the connectors was the problem.

I continue to use polybutylene in my home and have NO problems...but I
did take time to read and understand the instructions that came with the
connectors and crimper.

You may have one of the brighter plumbers.

Boden

I didn't say he wasn't smart. Every customer with PB has to call him
for every repair because he's the one with the crimpers. Cash cow.

Shell was sued for faulty materials and installation. With a billion
dollars at stake, why didn't they demonstrate that plumbers had failed
to follow instructions?

Why haven't other countries had problems? Is it only in America that
some plumbers don't follow instructions? Why does the Plumbing Claims
Group insist that PB is reliable yet use only C-PVC?

The PB manufacturers group hired HDR Engineering of Bellevue WA to see
if chlorine compounds found in drinking water attack the plastics used
in PB fittings. Steve Reiber of HDR says yes.

Plumbing contractor Tom Sagau defends PB. He says the problem is that
crimpers must constantly be calibrated because if a crimp is too tight,
the pipe will split later. So the customer has a time bomb if the
plumber makes a small error.

Wayne Bryant, a marketing representative for the Plumbers & Steamfitters
Local 741, says they had their doubts about PB in the 1970s and they
still do. He says it's buyer beware.