Learn why poly b piping fails, how leaks threaten your home’s value, and what steps pros take for poly b replacement in Calgary, from inspection to final wall patching.
This grey plastic plumbing material lurks in the walls of thousands of Calgary homes, quietly degrading and threatening catastrophic water damage at any moment. Are you willing to wait, or do you want to get ahead of potential damages to your home?
Poly B was installed in an estimated 700,000 Canadian homes between 1978 and 1995, with Calgary seeing particularly heavy use during the construction boom of the 1980s and 1990s. But what seemed like an innovative solution has become a homeowner’s nightmare.
The risks are real and growing. Insurance companies now scrutinize homes with Poly B piping, often denying coverage or charging higher premiums. Property values drop when buyers discover this outdated plumbing. And the longer you wait, the higher the chance of catastrophic failure that could flood your basement or damage your walls.
This guide covers everything you need to know about poly b replacement in Calgary, from understanding the risks to finding the right professionals to handle both the plumbing work and the necessary repairs to your walls and ceilings afterward. In this post we’ll cover the history and prevalence of Poly B in Calgary, common failure patterns and health risks, insurance and financial implications, our collaborative replacement process with Averson Plumbing and Pete The Plumber, and how Harding’s Painting & Renovations restores your home’s finish.
Table of Contents
Understanding Poly B in Calgary
Polybutylene piping, commonly called Poly B, is a grey plastic pipe that dominated residential plumbing from the late 1970s through the 1990s. Poly B was first introduced in Canada in 1978 for its flexibility and ease of installation. Builders loved it because it was cheap, lightweight, and flexible. No soldering required, and installation was fast.
Calgary saw extensive Poly B installation during this period. Roughly 90% of Calgary homes built in the 1980s and 1990s used this material, meaning about 20-30% of all Calgary homes still have Poly B plumbing today. Communities like Sundance, Edgemont, and Silver Springs have particularly high concentrations. According to Alberta Realtor, unconfirmed estimates indicate that 148,000 homes in Alberta had Poly-B water pipe installations.
The Canadian plumbing code removed Poly B as an acceptable material in 2005, but the damage was already done. Hundreds of thousands of homes across the country were already plumbed with a material that would prove to be fundamentally flawed.
Typical Issues with Poly B Plumbing
Poly B pipes fail in predictable ways, and Calgary’s water conditions accelerate the process. The city’s water contains chlorine levels of 0.80 to 1.87 mg/L, and this chlorine reacts with the plastic resin, making it brittle over time.
The mineral content in Calgary’s water acts as an accelerant, speeding up the breakdown of the pipe’s inner walls. Heat exposure from water heaters and UV light from basement windows further weaken the material. UV exposure from basement windows also accelerates degradation.
Common failure patterns include:
- Pinhole leaks that start small but grow larger
- Cracks at joints and connections
- Brittleness that leads to spontaneous ruptures
- Degradation from the inside out, making problems hard to detect
The structural problems are serious enough, but health risks add another layer of concern. When Poly B pipes degrade, they can release harmful chemicals into your water supply. These substances, particularly when mixed with chlorine used in water treatment, can affect respiratory function and overall bodily health.
Property values suffer too. Informed buyers avoid homes with Poly B plumbing, knowing they’ll face replacement costs and potential insurance issues.
The Necessity of Poly B Replacement in Calgary
Delaying poly b replacement in Calgary creates a cascade of problems that only get worse with time. Insurance companies have taken a hard line on Poly B piping, with many refusing coverage entirely or charging significantly higher premiums. Alberta Realtor reports insurers now refuse coverage or charge higher premiums when Poly B is present.
The legal precedent is clear. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2005 that Poly B is not admissible to indemnity clauses — Poly-B.com. When water damage occurs and adjusters discover Poly B was involved, they often deny claims entirely, especially if previous warnings were ignored.
The financial math is stark. Replacement costs in Calgary range from $5,000 to $15,000. Approximate costs include: removal runs $1,000–$3,000, new piping $1,500–$5,000, and labour $2,500–$8,000. But water damage from a single failure can easily exceed $20,000. Factor in potential insurance denials, and the cost of inaction becomes enormous.
But there’s no way to predict when failure will occur. Some pipes fail within 12 months, while others last 34 years. This uncertainty makes Poly B piping “a gamble” that most homeowners can’t afford to take.
The Poly B Replacement Process
Our team at Harding’s Painting & Renovations partners with Averson Plumbing and Pete The Plumber to manage every step of Poly B replacement and home restoration. On average, a full replacement in a two-bath home takes 3–5 business days. At Harding’s Painting & Renovations, we partner with trusted plumbing specialists to handle the complete replacement process, from removing old pipes to restoring your walls and ceilings.
Collaboration with Plumbing Experts
We work exclusively with Averson Plumbing and Pete The Plumber, two Calgary companies that specialize in Poly B replacement. These professionals understand the unique challenges of working with degraded plastic piping and ensure proper installation of modern PEX piping.
PEX piping offers significant advantages over the old Poly B system. It’s designed to resist chemical degradation and handles Calgary’s water conditions without the brittleness issues that plague Poly B. PEX has an average lifespan of up to 50 years.
Our plumbing partners handle the complete pipe replacement, from initial assessment to final testing. They work efficiently to minimize disruption while ensuring your new plumbing system meets current codes and standards.
Harding’s Painting & Renovations’ Role
Once the plumbing work is complete, our team steps in to repair and restore your walls and ceilings. Poly B replacement requires cutting access holes throughout your home, and these openings need expert repair to maintain your home’s appearance and value.
We handle all aspects of the restoration process:
- Drywall repair and patching
- Texture matching to blend repairs seamlessly
- Primer and paint application
- Color matching to existing finishes
Our drywall repair expertise ensures that once we’re finished, you won’t be able to tell where the access holes were cut. We take pride in leaving your home looking better than we found it.
Minimizing Disruption During Replacement
The thought of cutting holes in walls and ceilings throughout your home can be overwhelming, but proper planning and experienced professionals make the process manageable.
We coordinate closely with our plumbing partners to minimize the number of access points needed. Strategic planning reduces the scope of drywall work while ensuring complete access to all Poly B piping.
Our painters use plastic sheeting, drop cloths, and HEPA-filter vacuums to contain dust and protect your belongings — Painting Services. On average the replacement and restoration take 3–5 business days:
- Days 1-3: Plumbing removal and new pipe installation
- Days 4-5: Initial drywall repair and texture application
- Days 6-7: Primer and paint application
During the work, we protect your furniture and belongings with plastic sheeting and maintain clean work areas. Our teams respect your home and work efficiently to restore normal living conditions as quickly as possible.
Why Choose Experienced Professionals
Poly B replacement demands seasoned professionals with the right tools, training, and proven results. The combination of plumbing expertise and restoration skills required demands professionals with proven track records and extensive experience.
Harding’s Painting & Renovations brings over 25 years of experience to every project. We’ve been serving Calgary since 1996, building our reputation one satisfied customer at a time.
Our professional approach includes thorough preparation, skilled craftsmen, and attention to detail that ensures lasting results. We don’t cut corners or rush through projects. Every repair receives the same careful attention, from proper surface preparation to final quality inspection.
We stand behind our work with comprehensive warranties, giving you confidence that your investment is protected.
Protecting Your Home for the Long Run with Poly B Replacement in Calgary
Ignoring Poly B piping won’t make the problem disappear. Every day you delay increases the risk of catastrophic failure, insurance complications, and property value decline.
Professional poly b replacement in Calgary protects your most valuable asset while giving you peace of mind. Modern PEX piping will serve your home reliably for decades, and proper restoration work ensures your walls and ceilings look perfect.
The collaborative approach we offer with our plumbing partners simplifies what could otherwise be a complex, stressful process. One phone call connects you with both the plumbing expertise to replace your pipes and the restoration skills to repair your home.
Don’t risk costly water damage. Contact Harding’s Painting & Renovations for a free poly b replacement in Calgary consultation and rest easy knowing your home is protected.
