Polybutylene was installed in tens of thousands of Vancouver homes between 1978 and 1995 – mostly single-family in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, North Van, and the East Van suites built in that window. The pipe is grey or light blue, about 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch, with copper or grey acetal (plastic) fittings crimped on with metal bands. If your basement utility wall has greyish plastic pipes feeding upstairs, you have Poly-B.

The failure mode is well-documented:

**Chlorine attack.** BC municipal water carries chlorine for disinfection. Chlorine reacts with polybutylene over 15-25 years, embrittling the pipe wall from the inside out. Eventually the pipe cracks at a stress point – usually a fitting, an elbow, or a section that’s been flexed during construction.

**Fitting failures.** The original acetal (plastic) fittings used through the early 1980s were the weakest point. Class-action lawsuits in the US led to $1.1 billion in settlement claims. Most fittings have been replaced or upgraded to copper – but the pipe itself is still aging.

**Insurance refusal.** Most BC home insurance policies now exclude Poly-B failure damage, or require a Poly-B replacement before they’ll renew coverage. We’ve seen claims denied even on small drips that turned into wall flooding.

**Resale impact.** Vancouver real estate agents now flag Poly-B during pre-inspection. Buyers either negotiate down (typically $15,000-$30,000 off offer) or walk. Replacing before listing usually nets a higher sale price than the replacement cost.

The question isn’t “will Poly-B fail” – it’s “will I replace it on my schedule or after a flood at 3 AM.” We strongly recommend planned replacement for any Vancouver home with Poly-B over 25 years old.

**Full Whole-Home PEX Re-Pipe** – Most common. Every Poly-B run replaced with PEX-A or PEX-B from water main to each fixture. Central manifold with individual shutoffs. Permit, City inspection, drywall patching, paint match. 10-year workmanship warranty.

**Full Whole-Home Copper Re-Pipe** – Premium option. Type L copper throughout, sweat-soldered joints, exposed runs in utility rooms left clean and labeled. 50-year material rating + 10-year workmanship. About 30-50% more than PEX.

**Hybrid PEX + Copper Re-Pipe** – Copper for visible runs in finished spaces, PEX for in-wall and hidden runs. Best of both worlds – aesthetics where they matter, cost efficiency where they don’t.

**Partial Poly-B Replacement** – When only one floor or one wing has Poly-B (newer addition mixed with old original plumbing). Cheaper but verify with us first – half-Poly-B systems usually fail next at the transition joints.

**Emergency Poly-B Leak Response** – 24/7 emergency for active Poly-B failures. We patch the immediate leak, dry out the area, and schedule the full re-pipe as fast as drywall and insurance allow.

**Strata Building Poly-B Replacement** – Multi-unit re-pipes for townhouses and low-rise apartments built in the Poly-B era. Property manager coordination, after-hours work to minimize unit disruption, common-area access planning.

**Pre-Sale Poly-B Replacement** – For homeowners preparing to list. Photo documentation of the work + permit + warranty package to present to buyers. Usually increases sale price by more than the cost of replacement.

**Insurance Claim Re-Pipe** – After a Poly-B failure, we work with your insurance adjuster on scope and pricing. We provide written documentation that meets BC insurance industry standards.

Total cost varies with home size, fixture count, finish complexity, and material choice. Most common ranges from recent Vancouver Poly-B jobs:

**Free in-home assessment + photo report + written quote:** $0 – no obligation. About 90 minutes on site.

**Typical 1,500 sq ft Vancouver bungalow, full PEX re-pipe with drywall patch + paint match:** $9,800-$14,800 including permit, City inspection, manifold, individual shutoffs, 10-year warranty, drywall patching, paint match.

**Typical 2,500 sq ft Vancouver Special / Burnaby split-level, full PEX re-pipe:** $14,800-$22,800 including all of above.

**Typical 3,500+ sq ft executive home (Coquitlam / Maple Ridge / West Van), full PEX re-pipe:** $22,800-$38,800 depending on fixture count and access complexity.

**Add for copper instead of PEX (whole-home):** +30-50% on the install cost. Premium for aesthetics or for matching existing copper.

**Add for hybrid PEX + copper (visible runs in copper, in-wall in PEX):** +15-25%.

**Skip drywall patching (clean cuts only, you handle the patches):** save $1,200-$2,400 depending on home size.

**Pre-sale documentation package (extra photos + insurance-ready summary):** +$200. Often returns 10x at sale.

**Strata building re-pipe (per unit, 20+ units):** custom quoted. Typical townhouse runs $8,500-$13,500 per unit when scheduled together.

**Emergency response + temporary repair (failed Poly-B at 11 PM):** $349-$649 for immediate patch + same-week full re-pipe quote.

**Financing:** Financeit 0% interest up to 24 months on jobs over $5,000. Most Poly-B re-pipes qualify.

Firm written quote with photo report after the free in-home assessment.

**How much does Poly-B replacement cost in Vancouver?**
Typical 1,500 sq ft bungalow: $9,800-$14,800. 2,500 sq ft Vancouver Special: $14,800-$22,800. 3,500+ sq ft executive: $22,800-$38,800. All-in including permit, City inspection, manifold, individual shutoffs, drywall patch, paint match, 10-year warranty. Copper option adds 30-50%.

**How long does it take?**
2-5 days depending on home size and finish complexity. Most 2,500 sq ft homes: 3 days plumbing + 2 days drywall/paint. Water is off during plumbing work in segments; we plan it so you have water at night and weekends.

**Will my drywall look terrible after?**
No. We plan 12-18 strategic 8×8-inch access cuts (not 30 random holes), patch with proper drywall + tape + mud, sand smooth, and match existing paint. Most homeowners can’t find the access points after we’re done.

**Do I need a permit?**
Yes – City of Vancouver Plumbing and Gas. We pull under our licence. Inspector signs off on rough-in AND final pressure test. You get the inspection card.

**PEX or copper – which should I choose?**
PEX for most Vancouver homes. Flexible, chlorine-resistant, color-coded, cheaper, 25-year manufacturer warranty. Copper is the premium option for visible runs in utility rooms or for matching existing copper – 30-50% more cost. We bid both and let you choose.

**Will my insurance pay for this?**
Usually no – most BC insurers exclude planned Poly-B replacement. If you have an active Poly-B leak, the resulting damage may be covered (depending on policy) and we can quote the re-pipe as part of the restoration. Without a leak, it’s almost always out of pocket. Financing available.

**Do you do strata building re-pipes?**
Yes – townhouses and low-rise apartments from the Poly-B era. We coordinate with property manager and council, schedule overnight where needed, and provide certificates for the reserve fund file. Typical townhouse $8,500-$13,500 per unit when scheduled together.

**Will replacement affect my insurance premium?**
Usually positively. Most insurers will renew (or quote new) at lower rates once Poly-B is replaced. Some offer a 5-10% discount on the plumbing portion. Worth calling your insurer after the work is complete.

**Do you offer financing?**
Yes – Financeit 0% interest up to 24 months on jobs over $5,000. Most Poly-B re-pipes qualify. 90-second online application.

**Do you serve Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge?**
Yes – all of Greater Vancouver. The Poly-B era homes are concentrated in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, and North Vancouver – we do a lot of work in those areas specifically.