Your home has Poly B pipes.
Here’s what happens next.
ER Plumbing replaces polybutylene pipes with PEX across Calgary and surrounding communities — with full insurance documentation included.
Most people reach this page for one of three reasons
Your insurer flagged your pipes
You received a non-renewal notice or coverage exclusion. We provide the documentation your insurer needs after replacement.
Book AssessmentYour home sale is on the line
The buyer’s inspector found Poly B and replacement is required before closing. We move quickly so your deal stays on schedule.
Get a QuoteYou want it fixed before it fails
You know your home has Poly B and don’t want to wait for a burst pipe. Smart call — Calgary’s chloramine water accelerates degradation.
Plan ReplacementWhat is Poly B and why is it a problem in Calgary?
The short version
Polybutylene (Poly B) is a grey plastic pipe installed in Canadian homes roughly between 1978 and 1995. At the time it was considered a cost-effective alternative to copper. That changed quickly.
The problem is internal: chlorine and chloramines in municipal water react with the pipe material over time, causing it to flake and crack from the inside out. There are no visible warning signs until a pipe fails — and when it does, it floods.
Calgary’s water is treated with chloramine, which is particularly harsh on Poly B. Homes built in Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, and Cochrane between 1978–1995 are the highest-risk properties in Alberta.
An estimated 148,000+ Alberta homes still have Poly B. Most owners don’t know until their insurer or a home inspector raises it.
How to tell if your home has Poly B
Why patching does not work — full replacement is the only fix
It fails from the inside out — no warning
Chloramine in Calgary’s water degrades Poly B internally. The pipe looks fine on the outside until it suddenly cracks and floods. There is nothing to see until it is too late.
One section fixed means nothing
The entire system has been exposed to the same water chemistry for decades. If one section fails, others are already degraded.
Insurers require full replacement — not repairs
Most Alberta insurers require documented full replacement to restore coverage. A partial repair will not stop a non-renewal.
Flood claims can be denied on known-defective pipes
If your insurer has already flagged Poly B and a pipe later bursts, your water damage claim can be denied entirely.
The financial impact of Poly B in Alberta
🏦 Insurance
Some Alberta insurers send non-renewal notices to homes with Poly B still in place, regardless of claim history.
Even if the policy renews, insurers often add exclusions for water damage caused by the Poly B system.
Properties with Poly B are considered higher risk. Coverage may continue but at much higher cost.
🏠 Real Estate
Sellers must disclose known defects including Poly B. Failing to do so creates legal liability after closing.
When Poly B is flagged in an inspection, buyers typically request a price reduction or require replacement before closing.
Some mortgage lenders require Poly B replacement as a condition of funding, which can collapse a deal.
How a Poly B replacement job works with ER Plumbing
Free assessment and quote
We inspect your plumbing, confirm the pipe type, assess scope, and give you a clear written quote before any work begins.
Schedule the repipe
We schedule around your timeline. Most complete repipes take 1 to 2 days. You can stay in the home during the job.
Full PEX installation
All Poly B is removed and replaced with PEX-A. Fittings, connections, and manifolds are all replaced at the same time.
Pressure test and documentation
New system is pressure tested. You receive a written completion certificate — exactly what your insurer requires.
Photos from actual repipe jobs in Calgary
Poly B vs PEX — why PEX is the replacement standard
| Feature | Poly B (old) | PEX-A (replacement) | Copper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloramine resistance | None | Excellent | Excellent |
| Insurance acceptance | Often refused | Fully accepted | Fully accepted |
| Expected lifespan | 10–25 yrs (degraded) | 50+ years | 50–70 years |
| Freeze resistance | Brittle when cold | Flexible, expands | Can crack |
| Repipe cost | — | Most affordable | 2–3× more expensive |
| Current building code | Not permitted | Approved | Approved |
What does Poly B replacement cost in Calgary?
Cost depends on home size, number of bathrooms, and access conditions. Here is a realistic range for Calgary homes.
Townhouse or bungalow with straightforward access. Full replacement of all supply lines.
Two-storey home, 2 to 3 bathrooms. Most Calgary homes fall in this range. Documentation included.
Large two-storey or complex access. Quote required to confirm scope and final price.
- Full removal of all Poly B supply lines
- PEX-A installation throughout the home
- All fittings and connections replaced
- Pressure test before walls are closed
- Written completion certificate for your insurer
- Number of bathrooms and fixtures
- Home size and number of floors
- Access to existing pipe runs
- Whether finished drywall needs patching
- Additional plumbing work found during the job
Why Choose ER Plumbing
Licensed Calgary plumbers. Insurance documentation provided. Work done right the first time.
Common questions about Poly B replacement in Calgary
Most Alberta insurers require documented full replacement — not partial repairs — to restore coverage or prevent non-renewal. We provide the documentation they ask for.
Most residential repipes are completed in 1 to 2 days. Larger homes with complex layouts may take 3 days. We give you a timeline before we start.
Yes. Water is shut off during active work but restored at the end of each day. You do not need to vacate the home.
Yes. Every replacement comes with a written completion certificate confirming all Poly B has been removed and replaced with PEX. This is what insurers require.
Yes. Poly B was used exclusively for water supply lines — never drain, waste, or vent pipes. Your drain lines are not Poly B.
We serve Calgary (all quadrants), Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane, and Okotoks. Call to confirm if you are outside these areas.
Poly B fails without warning. The degradation happens inside where you cannot see it. By the time it leaks, it floods. If your insurer or inspector has flagged it, replace it.
We minimize wall cuts wherever possible. If cuts are required, we discuss that as part of the quote. Some customers handle drywall finishing separately.
Book your free Poly B assessment
Do not wait for a leak. Call or send a message and we will confirm scope, give you a clear quote, and get the job scheduled.
What to expect
Tell us your situation
Share your home size, location, and what triggered the call — insurer, sale, or proactive.
We assess and quote
We assess the home, confirm scope, and give you a clear written quote with no surprises.
Job done, docs delivered
Repipe completed, pressure tested, and your insurance certificate provided the same day.
Request your free assessment
- Phone: 587-777-3164
- Email: info@erplumbingnheating.ca
- Service area: Calgary · Airdrie · Chestermere · Cochrane · Okotoks