Hi BiggerPockets community,

Looking for advice from investors, attorneys, inspectors, and anyone who has dealt with post-closing defect/disclosure issues in Florida. I recently purchased a single-family home in Davie, FL as an investment/rental property. Purchase price was approximately $550,000. I’m in the middle/end of renovations and recently discovered what appears to be a major plumbing issue: the home has polybutylene supply piping throughout. Here are the facts and background as I understand them:

1) Property is a 1990s single-family home in Broward County, FL.

2) I purchased it earlier this year as an investment/rental.

3) I had a residential inspection and a Florida 4-point inspection before closing.

4) The seller’s property disclosure specifically asked: “Are any polybutylene pipes on the Property?” Seller answered: “No.”

5) The residential inspection report listed the water supply/distribution material as “Copper.”

6) The 4-point inspection also identified the plumbing pipe type as “Copper.”

7) After closing, during renovations, a licensed plumber inspected the home and told me the house has polybutylene supply piping throughout.

8) The plumber’s written report is pending.

9) Some photos in the original inspection report appear to show gray supply piping in the attic, which the plumber believes is consistent with polybutylene.

10) I’m now concerned about insurance, resale, repiping costs, drywall/paint restoration, lost rental time, and whether I have any recourse.

I’m trying to figure out the right next steps without making mistakes. I’m already looking into speaking with a Florida real estate attorney, but I’d appreciate practical advice from people who have dealt with similar issues.

Questions:

• Has anyone successfully pursued a seller disclosure claim in Florida where the seller answered “No” to polybutylene but PB was later found
• Would this usually be handled against the seller, the inspector, the inspector's E&O insurance, or all of the above?
• How much weight does a 4-point inspection carry when it specifically identifies plumbing as copper?
• If the inspection agreement limits liability to 1.5x the inspection fee, is that generally enforceable when the report affirmatively stated the wrong pipe material?
• Should I send preservation/notice letters immediately to the inspector, seller, agents, and title company, or wait for attorney guidance?
• Should I pause any further renovation/repipe work until everything is documented?
• For those who have repiped a Florida house with PB, what cost range should I expect including drywall/paint restoration?
• Any insurance issues I should anticipate if the home currently has PB?
• If this delays rental readiness, is lost rent ever recoverable in these situations?

I’m not trying to publicly accuse anyone at this stage — just trying to understand how experienced investors would handle this, what documents/evidence matter most, and what traps to avoid.

Appreciate any guidance.