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Do you know what type of plumbing is installed in your home or business? If you haven’t heard of it, what is Poly B plumbing?
Polybutylene, or Poly B, was a common plumbing material in 1975, but not anymore. So, is Poly B plumbing bad?
The truth is that Poly B pipes in your home are more likely to leak or burst, and insurance companies may not cover the damage to homes with Poly.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Poly B Plumbing?
A Poly B plumbing replacement cost can be far more affordable than fighting with your home insurance when an expensive claim gets denied.
Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Ottawa offers licensed plumbers and prompt and reliable Poly B plumbing replacement services. Call us to protect your property by ensuring your plumbing is safe and up to date.
How To Tell If You Have Poly-B Plumbing?
Feel free to call us for a polybutylene pipe inspection. If your pipes are grey plastic, it’s a sign that you have poly b plumbing.
How much does it cost to replace poly b plumbing? The cost depends on its length and location, but poly b plumbing fails more than other types of piping, and the wisest decision is to replace polybutylene pipes whenever possible.
How Long Does Poly B Plumbing Last Before Risks Increase?
We’ll answer that question by telling you that poly b plumbing insurance isn’t commonly offered in Canada, so the cost to replace poly b plumbing is far better than risking a serious claim that won’t be covered.
For peace of mind, contact a replacement service to determine whether your home contains polybutylene pipes.
Polybutylene Pipe Inspection Process
Before discussing polybutylene replacement, our licensed, expert plumbers carefully examine your plumbing to identify if polybutylene pipes exist.
We guide you through the entire process of replacing poly B pipes. Your options include copper, PEX, and PVC. We recommend options based on your specific needs and budget, and you choose what’s best for you.
Final Cost to Replace Poly B Plumbing After Inspection
Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing has the experience and expertise to complete your Poly B replacement job promptly and efficiently.
We treat your property with respect and return it to its original condition. If your polybutylene replacement is easy to install, the final cost may be lower.
The final cost is affected by hours of labour, property size, the accessibility of the piping system, the number of bathrooms, materials used, and the amount of drywall removed.
Estimates to Remove Polybutylene Poly B Plumbing
The costs of replacing Poly B plumbing range from $3,000 to $25,000. Since Poly B plumbing insurance isn’t available, Poly B plumbing replacement is an investment against costlier damages from burst pipes, and the peace of mind is priceless!
Frequently Asked Questions About Poly B Plumbing
When you know the risks of Poly B plumbing and that home insurance generally doesn’t cover it, you can proactively move to replace polybutylene pipes and boost your property value.
1. How Long Does Poly B Plumbing Last?
Initially, Poly B plumbing was supposed to last up to 30 years.
However, serious plumbing problems and water damage occurred so much that the average lifespan was cut to 15 years from when the piping system was installed.
In Ottawa, the high chlorine levels in municipal water can accelerate the degradation of Poly B pipes even further.
2. Why Isn’t Poly B Plumbing Covered by Insurance?
Poly B plumbing has a proven history of issues and problems. After the National Plumbing Code of Canada removed this plumbing material, it became harder to get insurance or even secure financing for a home with poly.
If you find any home insurance for poly, it’s often too minimal to be worth the premiums paid.
3. Should You Buy a House with Poly B Plumbing?
When you know a home has Poly B plumbing, consider asking the seller to pay for a polybutylene replacement in your conditional offer.
If the seller refuses, you may not secure financing or home insurance. In that case, negotiating a much lower purchase price is in your best interest, so you can pay to replace the poly b pipes.
4. What Other Types of Piping Are Available?
We recommend PEX as a total replacement for poly b plumbing systems.
Still, replacing a damaged Poly B pipe with PEX is not a quick fix because there can be compatibility issues, and you probably won’t be covered for future plumbing problems unless your plumbing system is completely overhauled.
Options for Replacing Poly B Plumbing in Ottawa and Area
Dr. Pipe Ottawa offers expert services, and its highly trained professionals are ready to replace your old Poly B pipe system. We proudly serve the entire Ottawa area, including Barrhaven, Nepean, Kanata, Orleans, Carlington, Old Ottawa South, Vanier, Gloucester, and Emburn.
We recommend copper and PEX plumbing materials to replace polybutylene pipes. Here are the advantages and things to consider:
- Copper
- Durable, long-lasting, and easy-to-install copper is a superior option for replacing Poly B pipes.
- Copper plumbing materials can withstand pressures up to 1000 psi and have an average lifespan of 50-70 years. In Ottawa, when conditions get harsh, copper’s resistance to freezing makes it particularly suitable, and it’s also considered fireproof.
- Additionally, copper does not leach into the water supply, ensuring your water remains uncontaminated. At the end of its life, copper is also fully recyclable. Copper costs more and requires soldering, which adds to the labour costs.
- PEX
Modern and reliable, PEX is a plastic plumbing material that is a huge improvement over Poly B plumbing.
This practical plumbing material has been available since the 1980s, and it’s durable and resistant to Ottawa’s colder temperatures.
PEX is even easier to install than copper, making it cost-effective for property owners on a budget. It is long-lasting, doesn’t rust or suffer from limescale build-up, and PEX piping has quality joints that minimize the risk of leaks.
Because PEX is plastic, it’s more sensitive to light and heat exposure, and we can’t recommend PEX for exposed plumbing outside.
Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing in Ottawa is here for you when you need us the most, including our 24/7 emergency service.
We expertly handle all your re-piping needs and a range of other plumbing services, including drain cleaning, sewer backup repair, and fixing leaky pipes.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
If you own a property with polybutylene pipes, please consider inspection and replacement of polybutylene pipes to avoid expensive, uninsurable damages and ensure your peace of mind.
You can depend on Dr. Pipe Plumbing’s skilled professionals for quality Poly B replacement services in Ottawa.
If you have any questions about Poly B plumbing—or any plumbing issues—don’t hesitate to call our expert customer service representatives or use the contact form below to arrange a complimentary, no-obligation estimate and consultation!
Give us a call today: 613 791 5777 for a free upfront estimate!
