Poly B In-Floor Heating Replacement in Calgary – Expert Guide for 2026

What Is Polybutylene (Poly B)?

Polybutylene, or Poly B, is a flexible grey plastic piping system that was widely used in residential plumbing across Calgary and beyond during the late 20th century. Marketed as an affordable and easy-to-install alternative to copper, it initially gained popularity for both freshwater delivery and radiant in-floor heating systems. However, over time, Poly B was found to degrade when exposed to heat, chlorine, and oxygen—making it especially vulnerable in home heating applications like slab systems and underfloor circuits.

Why Poly B Isn’t Suited for In-Floor Heating

Unlike modern PEX or hard copper systems, Poly B lacks the necessary chemical and thermal resistance required for hydronic in-floor heating. The internal heat cycling paired with exposure to municipal chemical treatments leads to deterioration from the inside out. The deterioration is often invisible until leaks or splits appear below floor finishes. Urban Piping, Calgary’s trusted Poly B replacement experts, has replaced over 500+ underfloor heating systems compromised by failed polybutylene piping.

Common Signs of Failure from Beneath the Floor

Homeowners may first notice mysterious wet spots on their hardwood, laminate warping, higher heating bills, or increasing moisture along floor edges. Unlike traditional plumbing leaks, these in-floor heating failures can go undetected as they develop slowly beneath tile, engineered wood, or carpet. Additional red flags include damp drywall in basement ceilings or fluctuations in room heating efficiency. If these symptoms sound familiar, your radiant system may be at risk.

Pro tip: If your home heating seems uneven and you spot signs of flooring moisture, it’s time for a professional evaluation—before hidden leaks cause structural damage.

How to Identify Poly B in In-Floor Heating Systems

Wondering if your in-floor heating uses Poly B pipes? Spotting this material in slab or basement heating setups may require a careful look at specific pipe sections, home age, and layout design. Knowing what to look for can help you quickly assess the risk and prepare for a proactive replacement with safer, longer-lasting PEX piping.

How Poly B Looks Under Floors or in Utility Rooms

Poly B is typically grey, semi-flexible, and often connects to metal crimp rings or compression fittings. If you see these near your water heater, boiler manifold, or floor registers—they may be feeding your in-floor heating loops. In some cases, the piping is looped in long lengths disappearing into the slab, especially in basements or ground-level floors. You may also spot heat-discolored sections closer to the mechanical room, hinting at material fatigue from prolonged heat exposure.

Typical Floor Heating Layouts Where Poly B Was Used

Early radiant setups in Calgary used Poly B for zoning heated areas like kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and ensuite bedrooms. These loops were often embedded directly into concrete slab pours. In wood-frame homes, Poly B might run under subfloors with reflective heat shields. Older systems likely lack protective conduits or oxygen barriers that are standard in today’s PEX installations—leaving them more exposed to corrosion and breakdown.

When Was Your Home Likely Built with Poly B?

If your Calgary, Edmonton, or Vancouver-area home was constructed or renovated between 1985 and 1997, there’s a sizable chance that Poly B was installed for both domestic water lines and in-floor heat circulation. Homes built during this period saw widespread use of polybutylene due to its cost savings and ease of installation. Post-1998 builds generally shifted to safer alternatives like PEX or copper following the downfall of Poly B due to class-action litigation and material failures.

“Grey flexible pipes near the boiler manifold could indicate Poly B material.” – Urban Piping Field Team

Don’t wait for visible damage. If your home falls in the high-risk window, consider a professional inspection to confirm your pipe type and start planning a replacement roadmap.

Replacing Poly B In-Floor Heating Pipes in Calgary: What to Expect

A friendly plumber demonstrates the poly b in-floor heating replacement process in a modern Calgary home.

Replacing poly b in-floor heating pipes in Calgary homes doesn’t have to mean tearing up every inch of your flooring. At Urban Piping, we combine decades of hydronic plumbing and in-floor heating experience to offer homeowners a modern, minimally invasive process. This expert guide walks you through every step, including upgrades like PEX piping and smart thermostats tailored to Alberta’s climate and your home comfort preferences.

How We Access Under-Floor Pipe Sections

Our team uses targeted floor access techniques to reach polybutylene pipe systems tucked beneath tile, vinyl, or hardwood surfaces. Most replacements involve strategic cutting—typically a few square feet at a time—allowing for both pipe extraction and retrofit without full-floor demolition. Urban Piping’s approach ensures quick restoration and less disruption during installation, especially in common replacement zones like bathrooms and kitchens.

Why PEX Class A Is the Ideal Replacement

Polyethylene cross-linked (PEX) piping, particularly Class A, is rated for durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion—making it the industry standard for in-floor heating pipe upgrades in Calgary. Our licensed technicians always use PEX with oxygen barriers to prevent rusting in the entire hydronic system. Its temperature resilience and smooth installation process mean fewer fittings, better heat transfer, and long-term reliability beneath your floors.

Optional Add-Ons: Smart Thermostats and Zoning

With new PEX in-floor lines in place, many Calgary homeowners choose to integrate smart thermostats and zoned heating controls. These upgrades allow precise temperature regulation room by room, saving energy and enhancing comfort through your smartphone. We’ll map your zones and recommend compatible thermostats that work seamlessly with your hydronic system and home layout.

Replacing in-floor heating lines often involves targeted access through flooring—not full removal.

Want to explore heating upgrades while we replace your poly b infrastructure?

Cost Breakdown for Poly B In-Floor Replacement in Calgary

Visible water damage from a leaking poly b in-floor heating pipe highlights the importance of timely replacement in Calgary and surrounding areas.

When budgeting for a poly b in-floor heating replacement in Calgary, it’s essential to understand the full cost structure. At Urban Piping, we provide transparent contracts that cover all services, from surface access to system restoration. This section gives you a realistic range of costs and helps you anticipate variables that may influence your final invoice.

What Influences the Price per Sq. Ft.

The average replacement cost for polybutylene in-floor heating lines in Calgary ranges between $18–$27 per square foot. Price fluctuations depend on variables such as:

• Floor type (tile, hardwood, vinyl, etc.)
• Square footage of the heated area
• Ease of pipe access and routing challenges
• System type (closed-loop vs. open-loop)

Older homes and homes with fully finished basements often require additional effort to expose and replace embedded lines, which may increase costs.

Line Items: Access, Materials, Labour

Urban Piping offers bundled pricing that includes:

• Floor access and removal (minimal foot-print cuts)
• PEX Class A piping with oxygen barrier
• Labour from certified hydronic specialists
• Restoration of drywall and flooring (as required)

We quote jobs holistically, so clients can avoid surprise fees once the project is underway.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

While we strive for complete upfront pricing, homeowners should consider a buffer budget for potential hidden costs such as:

• Unexpected mold or moisture damage uncovered during wall/floor access
• Electrical or HVAC rerouting needed to accommodate new lines
• Permitting or city inspection fees (if applicable)

Urban Piping offers bundled pricing including pipe retrofit, drywall, and flooring repair where needed.

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Why Calgary Homeowners Trust Urban Piping

A skilled Urban Piping technician replaces poly b in-floor heating in a Calgary home, ensuring reliable warmth and safety.

Choosing the right contractor for your in-floor poly b replacement in Calgary is crucial for long-lasting results and minimal disruption. Homeowners across the region consistently turn to Urban Piping for our unmatched expertise, innovative solutions, and dedication to full-scope restoration. Here’s what sets us apart:

Calgary’s Most Experienced Poly B Specialists

Unlike general plumbing contractors, Urban Piping has specialized solely in polybutylene pipe replacement for over a decade. We’ve replaced in-floor poly b systems in thousands of Calgary homes, from classic bungalows to newly built condos. Our precision and familiarity with the unique hydronic layouts of homes in the region mean smoother installs and fewer callbacks.

All-in-One Services: Plumbing + Drywall + Paint

We don’t just fix the problem—we leave your home looking like nothing ever happened. Beyond pipe replacement, our crew handles:

• Drywall repair and patching
• Texture matching and painting
• Subfloor reconnection and finish reinstall

This turnkey approach eliminates the need to hire different trades post-installation, saving both time and money.

Verified Reviews and Local Certifications

“We had Urban Piping replace our in-floor Poly B system—fast, clean, and beyond professional.” – Verified Calgary homeowner review

Our A+ BBB rating, 5-star Google reviews, and extensive list of city-verified certifications reflect our ongoing commitment to excellence. From Free Estimates to final inspection, we prioritize customer communication and satisfaction on every Calgary project.

See why thousands trust our expert team year after year.
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