A Nest of Problems with Poly-B Water Piping - by John Craig

Poly-B or Polybutylene is a type of plastic water line piping the was used in many houses during the 1970’s 80’s and 90’s. This type of piping has demonstrated that with the passage of time, it is prone to leakage. Note, experts advise that the life expectancy of this piping is 25- 30 years. This leakage can lead to significant water damage in your property if not caught and rectified swiftly. This has proven to be such a problem that it is no longer approved for use in Canadian plumbing codes. This piping has demonstrated that it is not consistently able to withstand heat, pressure and many household chemicals, thus causing the leakage problem.

How do you know if you have this type of piping? Go to your basement or crawlspace, check your domestic waterlines; if the lines are a grey/ blue plastic, look further. If a number stamped along the pipe starts with PB, you have the poly-B piping.

If your piping isn’t leaking, how is this a problem for you?

Due to the damage potential from leaking pipes, insurance companies are starting to amend coverage or will not insure homes that have poly-B piping. Also, more and more home purchasers are aware of the problems associated with poly-B and if these pipes are found when a house is being sold, this will sometimes scuttle the transaction, or at the very least drive a lower negotiated price allowing for the replacement of the piping. Remember, also, that most people are seeking mortgage financing to purchase their house, and if the purchaser’s insurance won’t insure the new property, the mortgage company won’t advance cash on closing for an uninsured property. Your sale likely falls apart.

What a nest of problems.

One suggestion; first determine if your home is serviced with poly-B piping. If it is not… lucky you. However if your home has poly-B piping you should consider replacing the piping to bring your house up to the current plumbing code… even if you aren’t contemplating selling in the near future. Remember, insurance companies are scared of poly-B and your insurance company might soon determine that your house policy needs radical adjustment which in effect would mean that your insurance would not cover costs associated with water leak age and subsequent damage… this could be considerable. Therefore the best course of action is to have a qualified residential plumber review your property, and then likely you will need to start the messy, expensive job of replacing your pipes with a current standard piping like PEX tubing. This means cutting out all the grey/ blue piping and fitting, getting into walls where waterlines travel, opening drywall in places to access the piping, then patching and repainting. Not a small job. However when completed by a competent plumber you do not run the risk of insurance difficulties due to your waterlines. You won’t run into financing or selling difficulties due to your waterlines. And likely when you carry out this work you will paint and modernize areas of your home to make it more enjoyable and more saleable.