A buyer with a mortgage generally needs home insurance, and insurers look at what the pipes are made of.
How older pipes can stall a sale
Florida insurers commonly ask for a 4-point inspection on older homes, and Citizens Property Insurance requires one for homes over 20 years old. A licensed inspector reports the age, type, and condition of the roof, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling.
Its plumbing section asks for each pipe type, including polybutylene, galvanized, and cast iron, plus any leaks or re-piping.
An insurer may require repairs before it issues a policy. If the buyer can’t get coverage, their loan usually can’t close.
Pipe types insurers look at
Polybutylene
- Flexible plastic supply pipe made from 1978 to mid-1995, often gray.
- Citizens won’t write a new homeowners or dwelling policy on a home over 20 years old with polybutylene.
- It wears from the inside, where an inspector can’t see it.
Galvanized steel
- Older supply pipe that can rust and clog with mineral deposits, lowering water flow.
Cast iron
- Used for drain lines in many older homes.
- A camera scope of the drain line can show cracks, rust, and scale inside.
Your options with older pipes
If a buyer’s 4-point flagged the plumbing, ask what their insurer needs. Then get a licensed plumber’s quote, plus a camera scope for cast-iron drains.
- Repipe first.Get quotes from licensed plumbers. A repipe usually needs a permit; rules vary, so ask your city or county building department. Work done without one raises its own questions.
- Offer a credit or adjust the price.Works if the buyer’s insurer accepts the plumbing as it is. Their loan limits what a seller credit can pay for.
- Sell as-is.A cash buyer can repipe after closing. Alex’s market analysis (CMA) compares that price with repiping first. See selling as-is.
Alex Silva, broker
Voyance Real Estate is led by its broker and owner, Alex D. Silva, who has more than 30 years in real estate and holds Florida broker license BK3153327.
Short-sale negotiation is his specialty: lender approvals, second liens, and valuation disputes.
He works with homes, condos, rentals, and commercial property across Central and South Florida, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Polybutylene and old plumbing questions
Can I sell a house with polybutylene pipes in Florida?
Yes, but the buyer’s insurance is usually the hard part, as Citizens’ rule above shows. Other insurers set their own rules. A cash buyer has no lender requiring insurance.
How do I know if my house has polybutylene?
Check exposed pipes at the water heater or under sinks. Polybutylene is flexible plastic, often gray and stamped PB2110. A licensed plumber or home inspector can confirm it.
Do I have to disclose old pipes when I sell?
Florida case law requires you to disclose known defects that materially affect value when the buyer can’t easily see them and doesn’t know about them, even in an as-is sale. Ask a Florida real estate attorney whether your pipes or past leaks count.
Sources: Citizens inspections · Citizens on polybutylene · Florida 4-point guide · CFPB · Fannie Mae · Johnson v. Davis
General real estate information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm insurance requirements with a licensed insurance agent.
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Selling a home with older plumbing?
Tell Alex what the pipes are made of and your timeline. He’ll compare a repipe, a credit, and selling as-is.