Buteline plumbing

My house is completely plumbed with 16mm grey buteline pile. A couple of times in the past, the bute has developed pinhole leaks (nowhere near the junctions). Last time it happened, I bought a crimp tool, pipe cutter and a handful of joiners, tees and some pipe. Yesterday I had another leak so was able to deal with it in short order. The pipe was installed before I bought the house 30 years ago. Q: Is this an ongoing issue with bute or was I just unlucky.

Are you sure its buteline(Polybutene-1 (PB-1), not dux quest or similar (Polybutylene).
Oldest stuff in my place is approx 20 - 25, never had any issues (yet?)
But dux quest and similar was a disaster story -
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Polybutylene Pipe Failure

Though not everyone realizes it, public water treatment plants add disinfectants to water to purify it. When the chlorine in treated, municipal water interacts with polybutylene, the pipe material becomes brittle and leak-prone. Within years after its initial installation in homes in the 1970s, weakened poly piping resulted in numerous leaks and cases of water damage across the nation. This widespread pipe failure ultimately led to several class-action lawsuits (most notably Cox vs. Shell Oil).

Polybutylene Piping in Your Home

If you own a home built between 1975 and 1996, it may contain polybutylene piping. These plastic pipes are often gray, but they can also be white, black, or blue. Even if your poly piping appears to be solid and crack-free from the outside, this is, unfortunately, no indication of the piping’s interior condition. It’s better to replace the piping before any leaks and water damage occur.

It’s also important to speak with your prospective home insurance company if you plan on buying a home with polybutylene piping. Some insurers will charge you higher premiums or restrict your coverage. Others won’t even insure your home--that’s how lousy polybutylene’s reputation is.
(Polybutylene (polybutene-1, poly(1-butene), PB-1) is a polyolefin or saturated polymer with the chemical formula (C4H8)n. It should not be confused with polybutene, a low molecular weight oligomer) - Note the extra y and L in name of the bad stuff.
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Also think only sizes are 12mm / 18mm and 22mm for buteline rolls of pipe.

take a piece of pipe into a plumbing company and have it property identified. I had grey piping in my home built in 1985. Pipes came apart in the kaikoura earthquake, plumbers just recrimped it and its fine, it has 100 year use warranty. I have pex black built in 2012 in this house, also has lifetime warranty. Black dux actually has its name on it, so you would know if you had that. Be guided by a reputable plumbing firm.

Not that cut and dried.

"Is Polybutene-1 the same product as Polybutylene?
Yes, Polybutene-1 is often referred to as PB, PB-1 or Polybutylene. Polybutene-1, however, is chemically a more accurate way of describing the raw material. The name Polybutylene was commonly used in the United States, but in Europe some confusion arose with another material called Polyisobutylene, which also was often referred to as Polybutylene. Polyisobutylene is in fact used in the manufacture of chewing gum! Consequently it was decided to use the more chemically accurate name of Polybutene-1."

Now you have the gear replace the leaky lengths with new , betcha its the old quest stuff. My place was copper but as im near the sea all exposed joins started leaking due to corrosion so bit the bullett & redid all underfloor with buteline .

Interesting, so is the current buteline affected by chlorine (or fluoride etc), same as the old dux stuff ? or do you know how the products differ.
Is this bit correct for being the difference (Polybutylene is a polyolefin or saturated polymer with the chemical formula (C4H8)n. It should not be confused with polybutene, a low molecular weight oligomer)- search says it's C8H16, but yes it is also called by the same names as well, very confusing.

Our water is untreated here, so not an issue for me.

The euro manufacturers put the blame on acetal fittings and they certainly were the worst of the Dux Qest problem. I know the Dux black pipe splits as well. No idea what excuse is for that.

Buteline pipe is a type of polybutene pipe that is commonly used for plumbing applications. Like any plumbing system, Buteline pipes can experience problems over time. Here are a few common Buteline pipe problems and some potential solutions:

Leaks: If you notice water leaking from the Buteline pipes, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage. The first step is to turn off the water supply to the affected area. Then, locate the source of the leak and determine if it is due to a loose fitting or a damaged pipe. If it is a loose fitting, you may be able to tighten it with a wrench. If the pipe is damaged, you may need to cut out the damaged section and replace it with a new piece of Buteline pipe.

Clogs: Over time, debris and sediment can build up inside the Buteline pipes, leading to clogs. To solve this problem, you can try using a plunger or plumbing snake to remove the blockage. If this does not work, you may need to use a drain cleaning solution or hire a professional plumber to clear the clog.

Corrosion: While Buteline pipes are resistant to corrosion, they can still experience corrosion if they are exposed to certain chemicals or if the water supply is highly acidic. To prevent corrosion, it is important to avoid using harsh chemicals near the pipes and to test the water pH regularly. If you do notice signs of corrosion, such as discolored water or rust stains, you may need to replace the affected pipes.

Freezing: If the Buteline pipes are exposed to freezing temperatures, they can crack or burst. To prevent this from happening, make sure the pipes are properly insulated and protected from the cold. If you do experience frozen pipes, you can try using a hair dryer or heat lamp to thaw them out slowly.

In general, if you are not experienced with plumbing repairs, it is best to consult a professional plumber to handle any Buteline pipe problems. They can diagnose the issue and recommend the best course of action to take.

The molecular formula C8H16 may refer to:

Cyclooctane
Diisobutylene
Octenes
1- Octene

The c8h16 stuff is a red herring nothing to do with plumbing.