Premium Service for a Compact Somerset Home

When Doug learned his Somerset home contained Poly B plumbing, he faced the same decision as homeowners throughout Calgary—but with an advantage. His compact floor plan meant fewer plumbing runs, making the premium “Poly B – Best” package accessible at a price point that larger homes can’t match. Doug received all the benefits of Urban Piping’s top-tier service: guaranteed timelines, daily photo updates, and 90-95% professional cleanup—at a cost reflecting his home’s efficient layout.

The plumbing scope included complete replacement of all polybutylene lines with Rehau Class A PEX piping featuring UV barrier protection. Every fixture received new Dahl shut-off valves and braided distribution hoses. Water hammer arrestors were installed at the laundry and dishwasher per Calgary code. Brass exterior faucets and code-compliant laundry box installation completed the infrastructure upgrades—the same quality materials and workmanship regardless of home size.

The “Poly B – Best” package delivered Doug’s project with seamless execution. The day plumbing work finished, drywall repairs began immediately—no waiting for separate contractors. All holes were patched, taped, and mudded with texture matching that blended seamlessly with existing surfaces. Paint matching restored affected walls to their original appearance. The professional-level cleanup returned Doug’s Somerset home to 90-95% of pre-renovation condition.

Complete site protection safeguarded Doug’s home throughout the project. Ram board covered hard surfaces, carpet cling protected carpeted areas, and plastic wrap shielded cabinets and fixtures. Daily photo updates kept Doug informed of progress without requiring his presence during work hours. This Poly B Replacement Calgary project demonstrates that premium service isn’t reserved for large homes—efficient floor plans make top-tier packages surprisingly accessible.

About Somerset Calgary SW

Somerset is a residential neighborhood in southwest Calgary, developed primarily during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The community sits near Calgary’s southern edge, bordered by Macleod Trail, Highway 22X, 162nd Avenue, and James McKevitt Road. Today Somerset is home to approximately 8,500 residents living in a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and low-rise condominiums.

The neighborhood’s development timing places it at the transition point between construction eras. Homes built during the late 1990s represent the final years of polybutylene installation before the material was effectively discontinued. While Poly B appears less frequently in Somerset than in 1980s neighborhoods, properties from this era may still contain the gray or blue plastic pipes that warrant evaluation.

Somerset appeals to diverse buyers through its housing variety. Single-family detached homes comprise approximately 70% of the housing stock, while townhouses and condominiums provide options for buyers seeking lower-maintenance or more affordable properties. The Somerset-Bridlewood CTrain station provides direct transit access to downtown, making the neighborhood popular with commuters.

The community benefits from established amenities including schools, parks, and commercial services. Shawnessy Town Centre provides shopping and dining options nearby, while the South Calgary Health Centre serves residents’ medical needs. Recreation facilities including the Shawnessy YMCA offer fitness options, and the neighborhood’s pathway system supports walking, biking, and jogging.

Why Compact Homes Benefit from Premium Packages

Homeowners sometimes assume premium service tiers suit only large, expensive properties. Doug’s Somerset project demonstrates otherwise. The “Poly B – Best” package delivers identical service standards regardless of home size—but the cost scales with project scope, making premium service surprisingly accessible for compact floor plans. This flexibility allows homeowners with smaller properties to benefit from high-quality service without the financial burden typically associated with premium tiers. Furthermore, understanding Poly B insurance coverage in Calgary becomes vital when considering these packages, as it ensures that homeowners are adequately protected against potential issues. Ultimately, embracing these options can lead to enhanced property value and peace of mind for homeowners, regardless of their property’s size.

The premium package includes features that benefit any homeowner: guaranteed start and finish dates eliminate timeline uncertainty, daily photo updates provide project visibility without requiring presence during work hours, and 90-95% professional cleanup returns homes to near-original condition. These benefits don’t diminish with smaller square footage—they remain equally valuable whether the project takes three days or three weeks.

For compact homes, the relative cost advantage is significant. The same $6,000 investment that provides premium service for an efficient floor plan might only cover basic service for a larger property. Homeowners in townhouses, condos, or smaller single-family homes can access the communication, timeline guarantees, and finishing standards that larger-home owners pay considerably more to receive.

The calculation matters particularly for properties where presentation counts. Rental properties, homes being prepared for sale, or residences where owners work from home all benefit from the faster completion and superior cleanup that premium packages provide. When the incremental cost over basic service remains modest due to compact scope, the premium tier becomes an easy choice.

Somerset’s Late-Era Poly B Properties

Somerset’s development during the late 1990s places the neighborhood at an interesting point in plumbing history. By this time, concerns about polybutylene had emerged and many builders had transitioned to alternative materials. However, existing Poly B inventory continued being installed in some properties, and local building practices varied.

The result is that Somerset contains a mix of plumbing systems. Some homes received copper or early PEX installations reflecting the material transition underway during construction. Others—like Doug’s home—received Poly B during the material’s final years of widespread use. Without inspection, homeowners often don’t know which category their property falls into.

For homes that do contain Poly B, the late installation date doesn’t extend the material’s functional lifespan. Polybutylene degradation depends more on water chemistry, operating conditions, and fitting quality than on installation date. A Poly B system installed in 1998 has still operated for over 25 years and faces the same degradation concerns as systems from the 1980s.

Doug’s decision to replace his Somerset home’s Poly B proactively reflects practical risk assessment. Rather than waiting to discover whether his specific system would develop problems, he chose to eliminate the uncertainty entirely. The modern PEX system now serving his home will provide reliable water distribution for decades, regardless of when the original Poly B was installed.