A Guide to Vancouver Poly-B Pipe Replacement
Plumbers installed Poly-B (Polybutylene) pipes in homes across Canada and the U.S. between 1975 and 1997. Poly-b pipes were lightweight and thought to be reliable for use in the family home. However, plumbing industry experts began to receive reports of structural failures relating to poly-b pipes. The pipes would become brittle, burst, and leak, causing millions of dollars in home damage across Vancouver and cities throughout Canada.
If you believe your home features Poly-B pipes, this post will explain the steps you can take to ensure safe Poly-B removal and replacement in Vancouver.
How much does Poly-B replacement cost in Vancouver?
A full Poly-B replacement can cost around $10,000 to $20,000 for a single-family home in Metro Vancouver. The price varies from one home to another, so treat this as a rough guide rather than a fixed price.
| Home type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Condo or smaller home, 1 to 2 bathrooms | $6,000 to $10,000 |
| Average single-family home | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Three-bathroom home | $12,000 to $18,000 |
| Larger or custom home | $20,000 and up |
What changes the price
- Access and drywall repair. Poly-B pipes usually run behind walls and ceilings. If the plumber needs to open those areas, you will also have drywall to patch once the work is done.
- PEX or copper. Most plumbers use PEX for repiping. Copper costs more, and copper fittings can cost about twice as much.
- Bathrooms and fixtures. More bathrooms, sinks, and appliances mean more pipe and more connections to work on.
- Storeys and pipe runs. A two-storey home usually needs longer pipe runs than a single-storey house. Concrete slab homes can also take more work than homes with an open basement or crawl space.
- The permit. Vancouver requires a plumbing permit for a full repipe. You’ll see that permit cost included in the total.
Why your insurance company cares about Poly-B
For many homeowners, the insurance company is what first brings up the need for a repipe. If an insurer finds Poly-B in the home:
- It may charge more
- Give you a deadline to replace the pipes
- Limit water damage coverage
- Decline to insure the property
There is no single rule that applies to every insurer in BC. Check with your broker to find out what your policy requires and when you need to take action.
Who pulls the permit?
The licensed plumbing contractor takes care of the plumbing permit, and the City of Vancouver inspects the work. At Lew Plumbing, we take care of the permit as part of the job, so you don’t have to deal with it yourself.
Why the cheapest quote is not always the cheapest job
The cheapest quote may not include everything. Some plumbers leave out drywall repairs or do not include the permit in the price. Ask what each quote covers before you compare them.
If a Poly-B line has already burst, call our emergency plumbers right away.
To get a free quote for Poly-B replacement, call our team at 604-205-9436.
What are Polybutylene Pipes?
Polybutylene was a plastic manufactured across North America between 1975 and 1997 and is still found in millions of homes throughout Canada to date. The material was flexible, resistant to freezing, and easy to install. However, by 1995, reports showed polybutylene pipes ruptured in various climates and cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
One study from the University of Illinois found that specific common household disinfectants caused the pipes to rupture and leak. The data shows chemicals cause relatively minor fractures in the pipes, and the fractures deepen and move to the pipe exterior over time.
Replace Poly-B Pipes to Protect Your Home Against Flooding
One of the main reasons to replace poly-b pipes throughout your home is that it can be hard to detect a leaking pipe until there is extensive damage. Plumbers used to install poly-b pipes behind sheetrock for stability, where the system can leak for several years before the damage is apparent within the home. Leaks from poly-b pipes can damage floors, furniture, and appliances, and replacing the pipe is the best way to protect your home against potential water damage.
How Would a Plumber Replace Poly-B Pipes?
Step 1: Inspection
During the inspection phase, the plumber will identify all areas of the home in which Poly-B pipes are installed, including basements, crawl spaces, and behind walls.
Step 2: Turn off the water supply
Your plumber will turn off the water supply at the main shut-off valve.
Step 3: Drain the plumbing
The plumbers will drain any residual water from the system and open all the faucets to ensure no water remains in the pipes during removal.
Step 4: Remove fixtures and appliances
In many circumstances, the plumber must remove connected fixtures and appliances to remove poly-b from the home. They’ll carefully disconnect the fixtures to access the pipes and remove items such as sinks, bathtubs, and water heaters while the poly-b replacement work continues.
Step 5: Remove the poly-b pipes
Next, the plumbers remove the poly-b pipes, starting with a pipe cutter to cut pipe pieces into management sizes.
Step 6: Poly-b pipe disposal
Your plumber will then dispose of the poly-b safely, helping minimize the environmental impact.
Step 7: New pipe installation
Your plumber will install your new home pipes using materials such as copper or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), which are highly durable and known for their reliability in residential plumbing installations.
Step 8: Testing & inspection
After installation, your plumber will test the plumbing to check for leaks and issues with fittings. They’ll pressurize the system to monitor the water flow rate and address any potential concerns before they leave the home.
Step 9: Reintegrating fixtures
Once the testing is complete, the plumber will re-install your fixtures and any other systems removed for the poly-b replacement process.
Step 10: Ongoing monitoring
While materials such as copper and PEX offer far superior reliability compared with poly-b, maintenance, and monitoring are essential to home plumbing safety. Your poly-b removal specialist will contact you regularly after the project is complete to review for corrosion, leaks, and other piping issues to ensure a proactive response that safeguards your home for the long term.
How Can I Identify Poly-B Pipes in My Home?
- Poly-B Pipes are Usually Grey but Can be Silver, White, or Blue
- Poly-B Pipes May Feature the Code “PB-2110” on the Exterior
- Poly-B Pipes Are Curved, Unlike Rigid Copper Pipes
The below video can help you identify poly-b pipes:
FAQ: Poly-B Replacement in Vancouver
Is Poly-B replacement covered by insurance?
Home insurance usually will not pay for Poly-B replacement. Your insurer may also ask you to replace the pipes before it continues your coverage. It’s best to check with your broker first so you know exactly what your policy requires.
Does Poly-B replacement need a permit in Vancouver?
Yes. A full Poly-B repipe requires a plumbing permit in Vancouver. Lew Plumbing takes care of the permit, and the City of Vancouver inspects the work once it is complete.
What should I replace the Poly-B pipe with?
PEX is the most common choice for replacing Poly-B as it is a modern plumbing standard.
Should I replace Poly-B plumbing?
Yes, replacing Poly-B is worth considering. The pipes can weaken over time and may eventually fail, which can lead to major water damage.
Should I buy a house with Poly-B piping?
You can still buy a home with Poly-B, but make sure you factor in the cost of replacing it. You can also negotiate the price based on the condition of the plumbing.
When was Poly-B discontinued in BC?
Manufacturers stopped making Poly-B in 1998. The 2005 National Plumbing Code of Canada then removed it from the list of accepted piping materials, so it is no longer used in new plumbing. It was never banned from existing homes. Poly-B already in your walls is still legal, but your insurer may ask you to replace it.
Begin Your Poly-B Removal in Vancouver with Lew Plumbing
Lew Plumbing is Vancouver’s trusted plumbing company for poly-b removal and replacement services. Our team has decades of experience in poly-b projects and can help guide your poly-b pipe replacement process. To request your free poly-b removal quote today, contact our dispatch team at 604-205-9436.
