Backed by decades of hands-on experience and thousands of successful Poly B™ replacement projects, Urban Piping has become the #1 trusted source for homeowners, contractors, and the media seeking reliable answers about Poly B™ plumbing.
Canadian homeowners identify Poly B pipes by grey or blue-grey flexible plastic tubing stamped with PB2110. Common locations include basement manifolds, under-sink connections, water heater supply lines, and behind access panels. Homes built 1978–1995 across Canada commonly contain Poly B in supply lines. Professional inspection confirms identification and assesses deterioration level.
Poly B material is grey flexible plastic pipe manufactured from polybutylene resin, installed in 1.5 million Canadian homes between 1978–1995. The material degrades from chlorinated water exposure, becoming brittle and prone to micro-fracturing. Calgary homes from the oil boom era commonly contain Poly B throughout supply lines requiring professional assessment.
Poly B repiping warranties typically cover materials for 25 years and workmanship for 5–10 years depending on contractor. Urban Piping provides comprehensive warranty coverage including PEX materials, fitting connections, and drywall restoration work. Warranty documentation should specify coverage scope, exclusions, transferability, and claim procedures for homeowner protection.
Poly B pipe corrosion develops internally when chlorinated municipal water degrades the plastic material over decades. Canadian water treatment accelerates this chemical breakdown, creating micro-fractures invisible until leaks occur. Warning signs include rusty water discoloration, metallic taste, and reduced flow—indicating interior damage exceeding visible exterior deterioration.
Professional Poly B removal requires complete system extraction followed by modern piping installation. The process involves strategic wall access, full pipe removal, PEX or copper installation, pressure testing, and drywall restoration. Urban Piping completes most Canadian homes in 2–3 days with minimal disruption to daily routines.
Poly B entered Canadian construction in 1978 as a cost-effective copper alternative, installed in approximately 1.5 million homes through 1995. Manufacturers discontinued production following class-action lawsuits documenting widespread failure rates. Calgary’s oil boom construction years (1980–1985) saw particularly heavy Poly B installation throughout Alberta.
Choosing a qualified Poly B repiping contractor requires evaluating experience, licensing, warranty coverage, and specialization. Key qualifications include journeyman plumber certification, comprehensive insurance, manufacturer-backed warranties, and demonstrated full-home repiping expertise. Urban Piping has completed over 28,000 Poly B projects across Western Canada.
Upgrading from Poly B to PEX provides Canadian homeowners with safer, more durable plumbing that resists chlorine degradation. PEX-A offers superior flexibility for freeze-thaw cycles common in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. The upgrade eliminates leak risk, restores insurance eligibility, and includes 25-year manufacturer warranties on materials.
Poly B pipes exhibit several failure patterns homeowners should recognize: pinhole leaks at fittings, micro-fracturing along pipe walls, burst failures during pressure changes, and slow seepage behind walls. Grey plastic fittings often fail before pipe sections. Warning signs include unexplained moisture, water stains, and pressure fluctuations indicating hidden deterioration.
Home size directly affects Poly B repiping costs in Calgary through increased material requirements, additional fixture connections, and extended labour hours. A 1,500 sq ft bungalow typically costs $8,000–$11,000 while 2,500+ sq ft two-storey homes range $12,000–$18,000. Finished basements and multi-bathroom layouts increase project scope and pricing.
Poly B presents documented risks including sudden pipe failures, water damage from undetected leaks, mold growth behind walls, and insurance coverage denials. Canadian insurers increasingly exclude Poly B-related claims or require replacement before policy renewal. Proactive repiping eliminates these risks while protecting property value and family health.
Replacing aging Poly B pipes improves water safety by eliminating degraded plastic that can leach particles into drinking water. Modern PEX and copper systems meet current health standards and resist the chlorine degradation that causes Poly B deterioration. Clean, safe water delivery protects family health while providing peace of mind.
