How to tell if you have Poly-B
Poly-B is a flexible plastic pipe used for water supply lines. You can usually check in a few minutes:
- Colour: it's most often grey, though some was black, white or blue.
- Where to look: at the water heater, near the main shut-off and water meter, under sinks, and anywhere piping is exposed in an unfinished basement.
- Age of the home: houses built roughly between 1978 and 1997 are the most likely to have it.
Don't confuse it with PEX, the modern replacement. PEX is usually red, blue or white and is stamped “PEX”. Not sure what you're looking at? Send us a photo or book a quick inspection.
Why homeowners replace it
- It fails without warning. The pipe and its fittings can become brittle and crack over time, often from the inside, with no visible signs first.
- Leaks happen behind walls. A failure inside a wall or ceiling can cause major water damage before you notice it.
- Insurance. Many insurers charge more to cover homes with Poly-B, or limit or refuse coverage. Check with your insurer about your policy.
- Selling your home. Poly-B often comes up in home inspections and can affect a sale.
What a whole-home replacement involves
- Assessment and quote. We look at your home, confirm where the Poly-B runs and give you a clear, written quote.
- Planning new routes. We plan new pipe runs to use unfinished spaces and keep wall and ceiling openings to a minimum.
- Replacement. The Poly-B is replaced with modern piping, reconnected to every fixture and to your water heater, then pressure-tested.
- Water restored. In most homes, water is only shut off during working hours and is back on each evening.
How long does it take?
A typical single-family home usually takes a few days. The exact timeline depends on the size of the home, the number of bathrooms and fixtures, and how much of the basement is finished. We'll give you a realistic schedule with your quote.
What about drywall?
Some small openings in walls and ceilings are usually needed to reach the old piping. We plan the job to keep those openings as few and as small as possible, and we'll tell you up front where they'll be. Drywall repair and painting can usually be arranged after the plumbing is complete. Ask us about it when we quote.