Everything You Need To Know About Replacing Polybutylene Pipes

If you are planning on renovating your old home, along with upgrading its interior and getting new stuff, you must also consider modifying your plumbing system.

Even now, you must be facing plumbing issues in your house if it was built in the early 1990s. It is because polybutylene pipes were widely used from the 1970s to the 1900s, which are now unpreferred and outdated.

If you have Poly-B pipes in your house, it's really the peak time to change them, as they begin deteriorating after 10 to 15 years of their installation. Read this blog till the end to learn more about Poly B plumbing and why your house needs Poly B piping replacement.

What is Poly-B (Polybutylene) Plumbing?

Polybutylene pipes (Poly-B) are made of a plastic resin material extensively used in houses before the 1990s in Canada. The reason behind their fame was their flexibility, affordability, and accessible installation features.

However, homeowners started facing severe leakage and other related issues as time passed. The plumbing system constituting Poly-B pipes was vulnerable to corrosion induced by oxidizing water, especially hard water with high chlorine content. There wasn't just the water damage, but the mould formation, too, costing homeowners a fortune.

Why do poly-B Pipes not Last?

As stated earlier, Poly B pipes have a very short lifespan. There are several factors that shrink their lifespan, like:

Material Composition

Poly B pipes were very affordable in the past, mainly because they were made of very poor material. It consists of just a thin wall of plastic that can be easily damaged and is susceptible to leakage or breakage issues. Not only this, but it can easily deteriorate if exposed to sunlight and chemicals.

Incorrect Installation

All the Poly B pipe installations were carried out before the 1990s, and at that time, no one in the Poly B Plumbing Company was aware of the correct installation methods. They were using outdated equipment, piping material, and installation procedures that collectively led to the failure of Polybutylene plumbing material in Calgary.

Weather

Canada always faces weather extremes! These intense weather fluctuations also take a toll on the plumbing system. Where the freezing water cracks the Poly B pipes, warm water in the summer makes them brittle and causes leakage issues.

Water Quality

Many don't consider this factor, but the quality of water flowing through plumbing material significantly affects its efficiency. If hard water streams through the pipes, the material accumulation can cause breaks and clogs.

Aging

When Poly B pipes first came on the market in 1970, companies claimed their lifespan was about 20 years. At that time, they got into so much controversy as everyone was skeptical about getting high durability at such a low price. However, as time passes, it becomes quite evident that these pipes are far from perfect. The homeowners in Alberta were facing major leakage issues in just the first ten years of the installation of the pipes.

What are the signs that your house needs polybutylene pipe replacement?

The following signs directly depict that your plumbing system needs Poly B replacement in Calgary:

Leaks or water damage

Poly B pipes can cause significant leakage in your house. Make sure to check for leaks or water damage around areas like toilets, sinks, kitchens, water heaters, and water showers. You might be able to spot stains, wet spots, damaged walls, floors, ceilings, etc. Not just this, the leakage issues can sprout mould growth and cost you costly repairs and maintenance charges.

Reduced water pressure

Poly B pipes containing internal deterioration or stress fractures usually lead to reduced water pressure and flow. Therefore, the whole plumbing system will have consistently low water pressure and require expert assistance. The only possible solution in such a case is to opt for a Poly B piping replacement.

Discolored pipes

Discoloration in pipes is usually caused by the presence of chlorine in the water, which weakens the pipes and further causes leakage issues.

The Poly B pipes were gray when they were first installed. You can spot the damaged ones; with time, they lose their original color and turn brownish due to chlorine degradation. If you spot these, you should definitely carry Poly B replacement as early as possible.

Connections and fixtures

Fittings and connectors can tell you a lot about the health of your plumbing system. Low-grade connectors and fixtures also cause serious plumbing issues. Poly B pipes were used to be joined by crimp fittings and plastic connectors that were more prone to cracking, leakage, and wear.

The plumbing system is old.

A house made before the 1900s has a higher probability of having Polybutylene pipes. Even if your home doesn't show any of the signs yet, it isn't advisable for the house to have such a weak and old plumbing system. Opting for preventative replacement in such cases is critical to avoiding the risks posed by Poly B pipes.

Poly B Pipe Lawsuit Canada!

With the rise in lawsuits against the companies that manufactured Poly B pipes, the Government of Canada banned these pipes in 2005. After that, Poly B pipes aren't manufactured anymore. However, house owners faced huge losses due to the damage caused by this brittle piping material, and for that very reason, they chose Poly B piping replacement options.

Conclusion

If you also have Poly B pipes in your home, you must seek a plumber to replace your PCV pipes with more reliable options, like PEX tubing, PVC pipe, and Copper pipes. Polybutylene pipe replacement costs can vary as per your location, the scope of the project, and the piping material you choose.

Once you replace your Poly-B pipes, you will have peace of mind and be able to save on your monthly savings. With this one-time investment, you no longer need to pay for monthly repairs for the next several years.

Contact an expert today who is experienced in repiping projects to conduct inspections, evaluate the situation, and give you a better replacement option for a long-lasting solution.