Experiencing frequent leaking pipes or other plumbing issues?
Your home may have poly-b plumbing, a major problem for many homes built from the 70s to to the 90s.
RPG Calgary offers poly b replacement services, including home assessment and consultation, and a free estimate to suit.
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Does your home need a poly b replacement Calgary assessment?
Poly B plumping, or polybutylene plumbing, is a flexible piping system for hot and cold drinking water distribution.
It is the grey plastic pipe used mainly for pluming works in residential buildings and homes from the 70s to the late 90s.
Hoeschst Celanese Corporation and Shell Oil Company participated in the manufacture and marketing of these polybutylene plumbing systems through the 70s and the 80s for residential and commercial applications.
Unfortunately, poly b piping systems are prone to leakage and failure, and can cause serious property damage. As such Poly b piping (also know as PB-1) systems are typically no longer being sold in North America, mainly due to class action lawsuits surrounding alleged property damage to owners and residents.
It’s due to this fact, that many contractors and plumbing companies offer poly b replacement services. Poly b replacement is an involved process. It requires the review and assessment of all plumbing connections and piping routes in your home.
Following review of your home or property, a plan can be put together, including renovation schedule and procurement of necessary replacement materials to facilitate a full poly b replacement. In some rare cases, you can get away with partial section replacements of poly b piping. However, it’s typically in your best interest to replace all poly b piping, just to be sure you’re not risking any potential future property damage from leaks, broken connections or other issues associated with poly b plumbing.
Poly b replacement is really a job best left to a certified experienced plumber. Luckily, RPG Calgary’s team have 10+ years of experience in both commercial and residential plumbing applications. They’ll ensure your poly b replacement is done on time, on budget, and with your best interests as a home owner at heart.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to the poly b in your home feel free to request a quote and consultation with us.
Typical poly b piping is greyish-blue in color. If you home has this piping it could be a serious problem requiring total or partial replacement.
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How to tell if your home has poly b plumbing
Poly B piping can typically be identified by it’s colors, black, blue, but light silvery gray is the most common.
Check in areas of your home where piping can be seen without having to remove drywall or other wall coverings. For example, look in crawl spaces, above removable ceiling tiles, attic spaces, beneath millwork, washroom vanities, under sinks, and behind appliances. Check in your mechanical room at the water meter, or from the pipes coming from the top of your water tank.
Poly b replacement Calgary services always should begin with a home assessment.
Typically if your home’s pipes are grey plastic with copper connections then they are indeed poly-b piping.
How common are poly b piping leaks and should you be concerned?
Poly-b piping was removed from market due to the fact it leaks. It’s a risk to your home.
As your home ages, plumbing and piping problems arise frequently at the 10-15 year mark.
There’s a strong possibility that you will experience a failure or leak if your home is currently piped with poly b. High levels of chlorine exist in modern home water supply, which only worsens poly-b piping reliability.
Commonly problems from poly piping involve the following:
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- Improper (too tight) fittings install can lead to cracks, leading to leaks.
- Bent piping in corners and tight spaces are under stress.
- Installs near high heat areas such as hot water tanks, attics, and heating ducts.
- Use of plastic fittings (acetal, white or grey color) instead of copper fittings.
- Poly b piping leaks can damage to structure, finishes, electrical, and more.
- Undetected leaks in your home leading to hazardous molds and bacteria growth.
- Wasted water and unexpected fluctuations in water bills.
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If you don’t replace your poly b piping, leaks are inevitable. Don’t wait to act, get a professional plumber to assess the plumbing and piping in your home.
WHY CHOOSE RPG CALGARY?
1. RPG Calgary provides full price quotes in advance.
2. Satisfaction is guaranteed on your home’s plumbing, heating, or gas work.
3. RPG Calgary is led by a team with 10+ years of commercial and residential plumbing experience.
Should you replace all the poly b in your home?
Insurance companies are well aware of the problems with poly-b piping and often wont cover damages to your home resulting from a poly b plumbing failure. This is why overall the costs of an undetected leak in your home can be greater than if you had replaced your homes’ piping system with a Pex or copper alternative.
Unfortunately, it won’t serve you well to replace only sections of the piping. If one area of your home’s poly b piping fails, likely other areas will too. It is best to have your whole home assessed for poly b replacement.
PEX-a piping is a high quality replacement option if your home has poly b piping. This is recommended for most home owners.
Copper piping is built to stand the test of time. DPerfectly suitable for poly b piping replacements, but more expensive than PEX-a piping.
What is the cost of poly b replacement Calgary?
Your best option is to fully replace your home piping and plumbing with a building code approved alternative. Replacing sections is not cost effective, or effective in stopping leaks.
Replacing all the poly-B pipes in your home can cost between $7000 to $15,000 on average in a 2 or 3 bath 2000 square foot home. This can obviously vary greatly though, based on material availability, home size, and other unforeseen conditions.
Depending on your budget, there are two common materials used in Calgary to replace poly B.
PEX-a (Cross-linked Polyethylene, high quality)
PEX piping is used currently to replace traditional copper and galvanized steel water supply lines. It’s affordable, durable, and comes in various colors for color coding purposes. This synthetic piping is a favorite choice for new construction projects and replacements.
Copper Piping
Copper is common place in Calgary homes, but can be more expensive. That said, copper plumbing in homes has been known to last 60+ years.
RPG Calgary’s plumbers and gas fitters are experts in their craft. If you have any uncertainties about your home’s health please get in-touch for an in home assessment.
POLY B REPLACEMENT CALGARY SERVICE AREA
RPG poly b replacement and repair services for the greater Calgary area.
Cochrane
AIRDRIE
BALZAC
STRATHMORE
CHESTERMERE
LANGDON
DE WINTON
OKOTOKS
ALDERSYDE
BLACK DIAMOND
TURNER VALLEY
MILLARVILLE
PRIDDIS
REDWOOD MEADOWS