John Dirks Jr Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 I can't figure out if this is pex or PB. It's a 3/4 inch main supply line in a 1993 built home. I know it's within the PB timeline but I have not ever seen the blue PB main supply line in a 3/4 inch size. Maybe this is a first for me. What is this material? Click to Enlarge 49.05 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieb Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 I'll take it you could not read any print on it. PEX or really really cold copper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted July 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 I'll take it you could not read any print on it. PEX or really really cold copper! My first thought was PB but the PB I've seen before is a lighter shade of blue and larger in diameter than this 3/4" one. Some of the legible markings were 220psi, CTS-001, NSF PW , ATSM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 Looks like polybutylene to me. It's what they used to call "service blue" around here. I don't know if that's the official name or not. It's subject to failure from damage by rocks, and most of it around here has been replaced...or needs to be. Then again, we have very rocky soil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTL_Inspet_Man Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 That typr of piping I've run across here in some newer condos for the main water service line. Allof it was Polybutelene (PB) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msteger Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I'll take it you could not read any print on it. PEX or really really cold copper! My first thought was PB but the PB I've seen before is a lighter shade of blue and larger in diameter than this 3/4" one. Some of the legible markings were 220psi, CTS-001, NSF PW , ATSM No mention of PB2110 or ASTM #? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted August 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I'll take it you could not read any print on it. PEX or really really cold copper! My first thought was PB but the PB I've seen before is a lighter shade of blue and larger in diameter than this 3/4" one. Some of the legible markings were 220psi, CTS-001, NSF PW , ATSM No mention of PB2110 or ASTM #? I looked at other photos I had taken. With some editing and enlarging I was able to make out a faint PB2110 and an ASTM 02666... I think. So, PB2110 does indentify it as polybutylene. Is the 2110 less problematic than the "Big Blue"? Click to Enlarge 25.58 KB Click to Enlarge 38 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 For the record, the main problem with the PB delivery piping was the early generation plastic fittings, not so much the piping itself. The fittings were made of a harder plastic material (If I remember correctly -- Delrin?) to withstand the clamping force that soft PB wouldn't. Unfortunately, they were eaten up fairly quickly by the high free chlorine levels present in SOME municipal water supplies. Later installations used copper and brass crimp fittings; they were fine. PB also had some advantages over copper. No green junk in your water lines to flavor your ice and clog your aerators, and the ability to freeze, swell, and then return to normal size without bursting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msteger Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Kevin, just to get this straight, are you saying PB with copper or brass fittings isn't an issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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