What is Poly B Plumbing?
Poly B piping was a popular type of plastic plumbing pipe used in many Calgary homes from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s.
Poly B (Polybutylene) pipes (sometimes called “PB-1 piping systems”) were standard in Calgary homes built between the late 1970s and mid-1990s.
An estimated 148,000 homes across Alberta still have Poly B piping, and Calgary accounts for a large share, thanks to the city’s building boom in the ’80s and early ’90s.
It was inexpensive and easy to install, but later it was discovered that Poly B pipes are prone to leaks and breaks.
The problem is that manufacturers make Poly B piping systems using a plastic that can become brittle and crack over time, especially when exposed to chlorine in the water supply.
When they fail, the result is sudden: water damage, mould risk, and repair costs that far exceed the price of Poly B replacement.
If you have Poly B piping in your home, you should replace it with a more durable material, such as copper or PEX.
Did you know that replacing your Poly B can improve your home’s comfort and its resale value?
