Residential · Grey pipe, grey area
Polybutylene Pipe Replacement
Polybutylene supply pipe, often called poly-B, went into many Ontario homes from about 1978 into the 1990s. It is not an emergency on sight, but it is worth knowing if you have it and what your options are.
- Static pressure hold before walls are closed
- Leaks found with meters and a pressure gauge
- One call books polybutylene pipe replacement anywhere in Aurora
Call now(365) 464-5399
Phone only · a plumber answers, not a form
- Licensed plumbers (ask us for details)
- Quote settled before tools come out
- We tidy up after every job
- Aurora & York Region
Polybutylene Pipe Replacement at a glance
Signs you need this
- Pressure dropping when a second tap opens
- Grey Poly-B pipe or green-crusted copper joints in the basement
What's included
- How we test it: Pressure gauge on a hose bib, a 15-minute static hold with fixtures closed, meter dial watch
- Job: polybutylene pipe replacement
What this page covers
- Identifying poly-B
- Why insurers ask
- Replacement options
- Doing it in stages
Identifying poly-B
Poly-B is mostly grey, now and then blue or black, and stamped with PB2110 along its length. Look at the pipes coming off the water heater, at the main valve in the basement, and under sinks. Fittings may be grey plastic or copper crimp rings. Do not confuse it with PEX, which is often red, white or blue and stamped PEX. If you are unsure, a photo of the stamping is often enough for us to tell.Why insurers ask
Polybutylene can degrade from the inside when exposed to chlorinated water over many years, and early fittings were a known weak point. Failures tend to happen without warning at joints or bends. Because of that history, many Canadian insurers ask about poly-B on renewal or when a house is sold, and some limit coverage or charge more. Rules vary by company, so check directly with yours.Replacement options
Replacement usually means PEX distribution throughout, sometimes copper near the water heater. In houses where the poly-B runs through an unfinished basement and up into a few walls, the job is straightforward. Where it runs through finished ceilings, we plan openings in closets and under cabinets to keep patching to a minimum. We also check the main water service, because some homes have a poly-B or older service line from the curb.Doing it in stages
If budget or timing does not allow the whole house at once, a staged plan works:- Replace exposed basement runs and fittings first.
- Replace the lines to the water heater and laundry, which see heat and vibration.
- Do bathroom and kitchen branches during planned renovations.
Aurora customers often ask
Do I have to replace poly-B to sell my house?
Not by law, but buyers and their insurers often ask about it, and it can affect an offer. Many sellers replace it or price it in.
Is poly-B the same as Kitec?
No. Kitec is a different product, an orange or blue layered pipe with brass fittings, with its own history of problems.