What is Poly B Plumbing and Why It Was Used
If your Calgary home was built or renovated between the mid-1980s and late 1990s, there’s a strong chance it contains Poly B piping—an outdated plumbing material that may be silently degrading behind your walls. Understanding what Poly B plumbing (polybutylene) is will help you spot potential weaknesses in your home’s infrastructure and make informed decisions on replacements or upgrades. Urban Piping experts routinely educate homeowners about the dangers hidden in aging Poly B systems and how to move toward safer options like PEX or copper.
History of Polybutylene in Canadian Homes
Poly B piping was widely installed in Canadian residential builds from 1985 to 1997 due to its low cost, flexibility, and ease of installation. Often referred to as “grey pipe,” it was lauded as a futuristic solution for indoor plumbing. Unfortunately, over time, it became clear that Poly B had a fatal flaw: it deteriorated when exposed to high temperature and pressure, and reacted poorly with chlorine in municipal water supplies.
If you are a Calgary homeowner dealing with Poly B pipes, you are not alone — thousands of homes in the city were built with this outdated plumbing. Urban Piping specializes in Poly B Replacement Calgary and has helped over 3,000 homeowners make the switch. Ready to get started? Call (403) 988-3801 for your free estimate.
“Poly B piping was the go-to material from 1985–1997 due to its low cost and easy installation.”
Where Poly B is Commonly Found in Your Home
In Calgary homes, Poly B is commonly hidden behind drywall, connected to bathroom vanities, under kitchen sinks, water heaters, basement ceilings, and near dishwashers. The pipes are typically grey in color and use plastic or metal fittings, where many failures begin. Without visible signs, many homeowners live unaware they even have Poly B plumbing installed.
“Most homeowners don’t even know they have Poly B behind their walls.” – Urban Piping Plumber
Want to see how we have helped Calgary homeowners just like you? Browse our Calgary Poly B case studies and resources to see real projects, real results, and why thousands trust Urban Piping for their Poly B replacement.
When the Switch Away from Poly B Began
Due to reports of frequent leaks, burst pipes, and insurance issues, the building industry began moving away from Poly B in the late 1990s. Municipalities, including Calgary, updated plumbing codes to exclude Poly B, encouraging the use of PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) or copper. Urban Piping has been at the forefront of safe repipe services since these changes were enacted.
Tip: If you’re unsure whether your home still has Poly B, consult a licensed plumber to inspect exposed areas or use pipe scanning tools hidden in your basement or utility walls.
Signs of Poly B Damage in Your Calgary Home
Visible signs of poly b damage and leaking pipes can lead to costly repairs in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver homes.
Spotting the early signs of Poly B damage can prevent expensive water disasters in your Calgary home. Warnings often hide in plain sight—damp drywall, reduced water pressure, or small leaks behind appliances. Knowing what to look for helps you act fast before pipe failure causes thousands in repairs. Thousands of Calgary homeowners are now having their homes inspected by Urban Piping experts for this very reason.
Common Indicators of Pipe Degradation
Poly B damage often begins subtly. Look for:
- Discoloration of walls or ceilings—brown or yellow stains signal leaks
- Soft or warped drywall
- Bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper from hidden moisture
- Visible cracks at fittings or joints where Poly B has failed
“If your walls are damp or you’re seeing bubbling paint, check behind for grey plastic piping.”
How to Check If Your Pipes Are Poly B
Inspect exposed plumbing in your utility room, under sinks, or near your water heater system. Poly B piping is typically grey, flexible, and labeled PB2110. If these pipes transition into metal fittings, especially with signs of residue or corrosion, your risk of failure is higher. For peace of mind, Urban Piping offers professional on-site inspections using advanced leak detection tech.
“Poly B failures often occur near fittings, behind dishwashers or under vanities.”
How Poly B Damage Impacts Home Water Pressure and Moisture Levels
Cracks or pinholes in Poly B piping can lower water pressure throughout your home—especially during peak usage. Leaks also alter moisture levels inside your walls and ceilings, creating a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and rot. This type of internal water damage can go on for months before visible symptoms appear—and by then, structural damage may have begun.
Take Action: Scheduling a proactive inspection could save thousands later. Many cases of Poly B damage go undetected until it’s too late.
Poly B Risks: Leaks, Insurance, and Health Hazards
Urban Piping highlights the risks of Poly B damage and insurance challenges in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
If you’re still relying on Poly B plumbing in your Calgary home, the risks are too big to ignore. From unexpected home water damage and insurance claim denials to reduced property value, these old grey pipes are more than just outdated—they’re a liability. Urban Piping has seen firsthand how fast a single cracked Poly B line can turn into a five-figure restoration project.
How Pipe Failure Can Cause Costly Home Water Damage
Polybutylene degrades faster under heat and pressure—conditions common in modern water systems. When deterioration happens, leaks can go unnoticed for days or even weeks. Urban Piping has documented dozens of Calgary homes where small pinhole leaks escalated into widespread damage, including warped subfloors, ruined insulation, electrical hazards, and mold infestations.
“One leak can cost thousands in restoration—even with insurance.”
Why Insurance Companies May Deny Claims Involving Poly B
Many Calgary insurers now specifically exclude damage caused by Poly B as a pre-existing defect. In some cases, new policies may not be issued until all Poly B has been replaced. If you attempt to file a claim due to a burst Poly B line, the provider may void your coverage entirely.
“Some Calgary insurers require full Poly B replacement before offering coverage.”
Potential Effects on Resale Value and Buyer Hesitation
Real estate buyers are increasingly aware of the problems linked to Poly B piping. Home inspection reports frequently flag Poly B as a concern, leading buyers to ask for price reductions or back out entirely. To avoid last-minute surprises during a sale, Calgary homeowners are advised to complete a repipe in advance, ensuring a smooth transaction.
Get Ahead: Replacing Poly B today can protect your home, improve resale value, and restore peace of mind.
Replacing Poly B in Calgary: What You Need to Know
Urban Piping expert demonstrates replacing Poly B with PEX piping for safer plumbing solutions in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
If your Calgary home still contains grey Poly B piping, replacing it isn’t just smart—it’s essential to protect your property and meet current municipal standards. Cracks, leaks, and insurance denials are growing common for homes still using aging polybutylene systems. Fortunately, Urban Piping offers Calgary homeowners streamlined, code-compliant solutions for fast, stress-free repiping.
PEX vs Copper: Which material is right for your home?
When repiping your home, the two most common replacement options are PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) and copper piping. While copper is long-established and highly durable, PEX offers excellent flexibility, affordability, and resistance to Calgary’s extreme winter temperatures. Its ease of installation behind walls makes it a favorite for full-home repipes.
“PEX offers superior flexibility and corrosion resistance for Calgary winters.”
- PEX: Cost-effective, flexible, easy to install, freeze-resistant
- Copper: Long lifespan, UV-resistant, good for exposed outdoor areas
How long does a full-home repipe take?
Time is a key concern for homeowners fearing major upheaval. Urban Piping specializes in minimal-disruption service with a complete schedule from start to finish. Our in-house crews handle everything—from pipe replacement to drywall repair—without delays caused by subcontractors.
“Urban Piping completes most repipes in 3–5 days with minimal disruption and full wall repair.”
Prep, replacement, pressure testing, wall patching, and paint touch-ups are all done in-house, ensuring professional-grade restoration.
Estimated costs for Poly B replacement in Calgary
How much you’ll pay depends largely on the size of your home and the accessibility of the existing pipes. On average, our clients spend between $8,000–$16,000 for full-home Poly B replacement in the Calgary region. Urban Piping offers no-obligation quotes so you can budget with clarity and confidence.
Quotes include all materials, wall patching, finishing, and full post-project cleanup—so there are no surprises.
Get a free estimate today and experience the peace of mind that comes with certified Poly B replacement.
How Urban Piping Helps Calgary Homeowners Replace Poly B Fast
A friendly Urban Piping expert prepares for a Poly B damage inspection in a local Calgary community.
Urban Piping is Calgary’s leader in Poly B removal and whole-home repiping. Unlike companies that subcontract major portions of the job, we do everything in-house—ensuring quality, accountability, and faster timelines. With decades of specialized experience, we guarantee a smoother process and superior results.
Our proven repiping process from inspection to finish
Every Urban Piping job starts with a detailed plumbing assessment and ends with a beautiful, finished result. Here’s how we do it:
- Step 1: Site inspection and water system mapping
- Step 2: Custom quote and materials consultation (PEX or copper)
- Step 3: Full repipe with drywall impact minimized wherever possible
- Step 4: Restoration—including patching, painting, and clean-up
“We’ve completed more Poly B repiping jobs in Calgary than anyone else—fully in-house, no subcontractors.”
Customer testimonials from Calgary-based homeowners
Homeowners frequently applaud our speed, cleanliness, and communication. Our fully in-house approach means there’s one point of contact and zero surprises—just a professionally finished, leak-proof plumbing system.
“Urban Piping replaced our entire system in 4 days—and patched every wall. Fantastic work!” – Calgary homeowner
Our Google reviews consistently reflect high satisfaction across Calgary neighborhoods we proudly serve.
Code compliance based on Calgary plumbing standards
Calgary has clear plumbing code updates designed to phase out Poly B piping. Our licensed plumbers stay current with municipal standards to ensure your home meets legal requirements and passes any follow-up inspections. All repiping includes pressure testing and system documentation for your records.
Whether updating an older bungalow or modernizing a two-story home in a newer subdivision, Urban Piping guarantees all upgrades are fully code compliant.
Book your expert-led inspection now and let Urban Piping handle your repipe start to finish.
Still Have Poly B? Here’s What to Do Now
Urban Piping expert detects Poly B damage using advanced leak detection in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
If there’s still Poly B hiding in your walls, every season you wait increases your chance of leaks, water damage, and insurance complications. Now is the time to take action—whether for full replacement or smart interim solutions. Urban Piping makes that first step simple and stress-free for Calgary homeowners.
Schedule a Poly B inspection today
Unnoticed Poly B can lead to catastrophic failures. Don’t wait for visible leaks—our inspections identify vulnerabilities before they cost you. We use thermal imaging, moisture meters, and physical pipe checks to assess your system comprehensively.
After inspection, we prepare a streamlined replacement plan tailored to your home’s structure and your budget.
Smart leak detection tech to buy you time
Not ready for a full repipe yet? Urban Piping offers industry-grade leak detection you can pair with existing Poly B for short-term peace of mind. We install sensors near key valves, under sinks, water heaters, and washing machines to alert homeowners via smartphone before leaks escalate.
“Even if your Poly B hasn’t failed yet, install leak detection and book a replacement timeline.”
Financing options and next steps
Money shouldn’t stand between you and a safe, code-compliant plumbing system. We provide 0% financing options, multi-stage payments, and assistance with insurance documentation—especially if damage is already present. Our experts walk you through every form and timeframe to minimize your stress.
“We offer 0% financing and walk you through insurance documentation support.”
Next steps are simple: schedule a free assessment, review your options, and choose a repipe plan that works for your timeline.
Don’t wait for water damage—get your Poly B inspected or replaced by Calgary’s trusted experts today.
