Mill Woods Poly B Replacement | Edmonton Case Study

Whole-Home Repiping in Mill Woods

When Jay discovered his Mill Woods home still had its original Poly B plumbing, he knew it was time to act. His home, built during the 1980s construction boom in southeast Edmonton, had polybutylene piping running throughout—a common situation for homes in this era. After weighing the risks of potential leaks and water damage against the cost of replacement, Jay decided to repipe before any problems could develop.

Jay’s home presented a more straightforward repiping scenario than some projects. The Urban Piping team arrived and began with site preparation, laying high-impact Ram Board across tile and hardwood surfaces and applying professional-grade carpet liner to protect traffic areas throughout the home. Drywall access points were carefully cut, with pieces saved for reinstallation.

The repiping work replaced all polybutylene lines with Rehau color-coded Class A PEX piping featuring UV barrier protection. Every fixture received new Dahl shut-off valves for both hot and cold supply lines, along with braided distribution hoses for faucets and toilets. Brass exterior garden faucets and a city-appropriate laundry box completed the plumbing upgrades. These premium materials ensure Jay’s new plumbing system will deliver reliable service for decades.

A professional-grade four-stage HEPA air scrubber ran throughout the project to maintain indoor air quality and control dust. Once the new piping was installed and pressure-tested, the team completed a thorough cleanup—removing all prep materials and debris, then vacuuming and wiping down the home.

The streamlined scope of this project reflects one of the advantages of working with homes that have accessible mechanical spaces. When pipes can be reached without extensive drywall cutting, the project moves faster and requires less restoration work. For homeowners considering Poly B Replacement Edmonton services, Jay’s project shows that not every repipe requires weeks of drywall repair—sometimes the layout works in your favor. This efficiency not only shortens the overall timeline but also minimizes the disruption for homeowners. Additionally, the streamlined process can positively impact the price of the Poly B replacement in Edmonton, making it a more appealing option for those in need of upgrades. By choosing experienced professionals who understand the nuances of each home’s layout, homeowners can achieve significant savings without compromising on quality.

Mill Woods Homes and Poly B Plumbing

Mill Woods is one of Edmonton’s largest and most established residential areas, located in the southeast quadrant of the city. Development began in the early 1970s when the City of Edmonton assembled land to create what was envisioned as a self-contained community—essentially a city within a city. The original Mill Woods Development Concept was approved in 1971, and construction continued steadily through the 1970s, 1980s, and into the early 1990s.

This development timeline places Mill Woods squarely within the peak years of polybutylene pipe installation in Canadian residential construction, which ran from approximately 1978 to 1997. Homes built in Mill Woods during the late 1970s through early 1990s were very likely plumbed with Poly B, making this one of Edmonton’s neighborhoods with the highest concentration of homes potentially affected.

The community features a diverse mix of housing styles, including single-family detached homes, bi-levels, split-levels, and townhouses. Typical Mill Woods homes range from 1,000 to 1,800 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and one and a half to three bathrooms. Many homes feature the smaller lot sizes that were part of the original experimental housing concept, along with the distinctive curved street layouts that set Mill Woods apart from Edmonton’s traditional grid system.

Given the era of construction, homeowners in Mill Woods should be aware that Poly B piping may still be present in their homes—particularly if the plumbing has never been updated. The gray or blue plastic pipes are often visible in utility rooms, under sinks, or near water heaters.

Why Mill Woods Homes Need Experienced Contractors

Mill Woods homes present a unique set of considerations for Poly B replacement projects. The variety of home styles in the neighborhood—from bungalows to bi-levels to two-story designs—means each project requires an assessment of the specific layout and the best approach for accessing pipes.

Many Mill Woods homes were built with unfinished or partially finished basements, which can actually simplify the repiping process. When pipes run through accessible ceiling joists rather than behind finished drywall, the work proceeds more efficiently with less restoration required afterward. Experienced contractors recognize these opportunities and plan accordingly, potentially saving homeowners time and reducing the overall scope of work.

However, other Mill Woods homes feature fully developed basements with finished ceilings, requiring more extensive drywall work. The textured ceilings common in 1980s construction—including stipple and knockdown finishes—demand careful matching after repairs. A poor texture match leaves visible patches that diminish the home’s appearance.

The bi-level and split-level designs popular in Mill Woods create their own challenges. These layouts often have pipes running at multiple elevations and through stacked floor assemblies, requiring coordinated access points. The compact lot sizes in much of the neighborhood can also present logistical considerations for staging materials and equipment.

Hard-to-reach areas are common in homes of this vintage. Pipes frequently run behind original bathroom vanities, through interior walls, and along exterior walls where outdoor faucets connect. Experienced contractors anticipate these challenges and plan their approach to minimize unnecessary disruption.

This is why choosing a qualified contractor matters. Urban Piping brings decades of experience working in Edmonton’s established neighborhoods, understanding the nuances of 1980s-era construction and delivering results that meet homeowners’ expectations—whether the project is straightforward or complex.