• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Buy a Furnace, get an AC system Free!Learn More
ashton logo

Call Ashton Plumbing

Vancouver's Best Plumbing, Heating, and AC Service Solution

  • Plumbing
    • Emergency Plumbing Services
    • Plumbing Repair
      • Leaky Faucet Repair Service
      • Shower Repair
      • Bathroom and Kitchen Sink Repair
      • Bathtub Repair
      • Garburator Repair
      • Sump Pump Repair
    • Plumbing Installation
      • Garburator Installation
      • Toilet Installation
    • All Plumbing Services
    • Water Heater Services
      • Water Heater Installation
      • Water Heater Repair
      • Water Heater Tune-Up
    • Faucet / Fixtures
    • Gas Line Repair
    • Pipe Repair
      • Frozen/Burst Pipe Repair
    • Sump Pumps
      • Sump Pump Backup System
    • Poly B
    • Plumbing Financing
  • Drains
    • Drain Tile Systems
    • Rooter Service
    • Clogged Drains
      • Sewer Drains
      • Laundry Room Drains
      • Kitchen Drains
      • Bathroom Drains
      • Basement Floor Drains
    • Camera Inspection
    • Hydro-Jetting
    • Leak Detection
    • Sewer Lines
      • Sewer Line Repair
      • Sewer Line Install
      • Trenchless Service
    • Water Lines
      • Water Line Repair
      • Water Line Install
    • Backflow Preventor Installation
    • Hydrovac Excavation
    • Drains Financing
  • Heating
    • All Heating Services
    • General Heating
      • General Heating Repair
      • General Heating Installation
      • General Heating Tune-Up
    • Furnaces
      • Furnace Repair
      • Furnace Installation
      • Furnace Tune-Up
    • Boilers
      • Boiler Repair
      • Boiler Installation
      • Boiler Tune-Up
    • Heat Pumps
      • Heat Pump Repair
      • Heat Pump Installation
    • Thermostats
    • Air Ducts
      • Air Duct Repair
    • Indoor Air Quality
    • HVAC Financing
  • Cooling
    • All AC Services
      • AC Installation
      • AC Repair
      • AC Tune-Up
    • Mini Splits
      • Mini Split Repair
      • Mini Split Installation
    • Heat Pumps
      • Heat Pump Repair
      • Heat Pump Installation
    • Mitsubishi
      • Mitsubishi Electric A/C Repair
      • Mitsubishi Electric A/C Install
      • Mitsubishi Electric Mini Split Repair
      • Mitsubishi Electric Mini Split Install
      • Mitsubishi Electric Heat Pump Repair
      • Mitsubishi Electric Heat Pump Install
    • Thermostats
    • Indoor Air Quality
    • HVAC Financing
  • Commercial
    • Commercial Services
    • Mechanical Construction
  • Coupons
  • Help Guides
    • Financing
    • 24/7 Support
    • Products
    • Ask Us A Question
    • Blog
  • About
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Areas We Serve
    • Customer Reviews
    • No Problems Plan
    • Heat Pump Rebates
    • Our Rebates
  • Careers
  • (604) 373 6522
  • Schedule Now

What are the Dangers of Poly-B Piping/ Plumbing in Your Home?

August 31, 2023 by hls_admin

Poly-B piping is a grey colored plastic pipe used to supply water in your home. This type of piping was very common in homes built between the 1970’s and early 90’s in the Metro Vancouver area. At the time, poly-B was a great alternative to copper piping as it was both easier to work with and much cheaper. It is estimated that around 800,000 homes across Canada were plumbed using Poly-B.

 So what’s wrong with Poly-B plumbing?

 At first, homeowners started noticing small leaks behind drywall and mold growing behind walls throughout their homes, causing damage to walls and flooring. These leaks and floods became common enough that contractors started noticing that Poly-B was used in all cases.

While the Poly-B piping looked fine from the outside, at around the 10-15 year mark, Poly-B would develop hairline fractures and cracks that are invisible to the naked eye, cause leaks behind walls. Unfortunately, it is not if, but when the hundreds of feet of Poly-B in a typical home will fail.

poly b piping dangers

What Should I do if my house has Poly-B?

 Don’t panic, it’s not the end of the world!

  1. Try to reduce the water pressure in your home by installing a pressure reducing valve. These vales are resigned to regulate the water pressure in the piping and can be used to reduce the chance of leaks around Poly-B fittings
  2. Turn down the water temperature. Hot water and extreme temperatures can degrade Poly-B piping faster. By reducing the water temperature of your home, you can reduce the likelihood of a Poly-B failure.

Why should I replace Poly-B plumbing?

The first and most important reason to replace Poly-B plumbing is to eliminate the risk of leaks behind walls. Leaks behind walls can damage walls, floors, cabinets, and personal valuables. In addition to this, homeowners may find it difficult to purchase home insurance if the home is plumbed with Poly-B. Potential home buyers are also discouraged by home inspectors to purchase homes with Poly-B piping.

If you want peace of mind, consider re-piping your home with PEX. PEX is the recommended replacement for Poly-B due to its ease of installation and durability. Find a contractor you can trust. The cheapest is not always the best. Make sure the contractor you hire is using licensed plumbers and will adhere to all BC building codes. Your home is the largest investment you will make, it makes sense to hire someone you can trust.

Ashton has been serving the lower mainland for over 30 years. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about Poly-B piping.

Filed Under: Plumbing

Footer

License #1301698

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Services

  • Plumbing
  • Drains
  • Heating
  • Cooling
  • Offers
  • Careers
  • About Us
(604)256-6147
6043736522
Contact Us
[email protected]
140-4631 Shell Rd Vancouver, BC V6X 3M4Vancouver, BC V6X 3M4
24/7 Live Answering24/7 Live Answering
Schedule Now
×
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Give Us A Call!
6043736522
Loading

Copyright © 2023 · Call Ashton - All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Give us a call!

6043736522

Or let us contact you!

Loading
×