Whole-Home Repiping in Delta
Roslyn had been monitoring the Poly B plumbing in her Ladner home for some time. After learning about the risks associated with aging polybutylene pipes—including potential leaks, water damage, and insurance complications—she decided to take proactive action. She reached out to Urban Piping’s Poly B Replacement Vancouver team to schedule a piping-only replacement.
Urban Piping’s crew arrived and began with careful site preparation. The team laid Ram Board to protect tile and hardwood surfaces, placed professional-grade carpet liner in high-traffic areas, and covered furniture with plastic sheeting throughout work zones. Drywall was carefully cut and saved for reinstallation by others.
The plumbing work involved complete removal of all Poly B plumbing throughout the home, replaced with Class A Rehau PEX piping. The new system features color-coded hot and cold lines with UV barrier protection for long-term durability. Every fixture connection received premium components: Dahl and BMI shut-off valves for all supply lines, braided distribution hoses for faucets and toilets, brass exterior garden faucets, and a city-compliant laundry box setup. Plastic PEX fittings from trusted brands like Bow or Ipex, secured with copper crimp rings, ensure reliable connections throughout.
A professional-grade 4-stage HEPA air scrubber ran during the project to maintain air quality and control construction dust. Upon completion, the crew removed all prep materials and construction waste, then performed a basic vacuum and wipe-down to leave the home in clean condition.
Roslyn opted for the piping-only package, which leaves drywall repair and painting to be completed separately. This approach works well for homeowners who have a preferred contractor for finishing work, are planning broader renovations, or simply want to spread costs across different phases.
Delta Homes and Poly B Plumbing
Delta sits in Metro Vancouver’s southern reaches, composed of three communities: North Delta, Ladner, and Tsawwassen. The city combines suburban neighborhoods with agricultural land and waterfront properties, offering residents proximity to Vancouver while maintaining a more relaxed pace of life.
Housing development in Delta spans several decades. Approximately half of the city’s homes were constructed between the 1960s and 1980s, with substantial additional building through the 1980s and 1990s. Ladner in particular features a mix of property types, from original single-family homes on generous lots to townhouses and condos built during the later development waves.
Properties built between 1985 and 1997 fall within British Columbia’s peak Poly B installation period. During these years, polybutylene was the go-to plumbing material for residential construction across the Lower Mainland. As these homes now approach three to four decades of age, pipe replacement has become a priority for homeowners looking to prevent failures and maintain insurance coverage.
Why Delta Homes Need Experienced Contractors
Delta’s varied housing stock creates unique considerations for Poly B replacement. Many Ladner properties include duplexes, secondary suites, or multi-generational layouts that require careful coordination during repiping projects. Understanding how plumbing routes through shared walls and separate living spaces is essential for efficient work.
Homes in the area often feature finished spaces throughout, including basements converted to rental units or in-law suites. These configurations mean more fixtures, more access points, and more care required to minimize disruption to living areas.
The Lower Mainland’s mild but consistently damp climate contributes to Poly B degradation over time. While temperatures rarely drop to extremes, the moisture and seasonal variations still stress aging polybutylene connections, making replacement a sound investment for long-term home maintenance. Homeowners often find that addressing these issues early can prevent more significant problems and costs down the line. Therefore, understanding the cost of Poly B replacement in lower mainland condo buildings is essential for effective property management and budgeting. Investing in quality repiping solutions not only enhances the longevity of plumbing systems but also adds value to the property itself.
For homeowners like Roslyn who choose the piping-only option, Urban Piping’s careful drywall cutting and organized approach makes subsequent finishing work straightforward for whatever contractor handles the restoration.
Delta Project Photos
Urban Piping documents the work completed on every job site. Below are the project photos from Roslyn’s Delta repiping project.
