POLY-B REPLACEMENT

Polybutylene or poly-b plumbing consists of “faulty” gray plastic pipes used as a water supply lines in your home that was removed from production in 1996. This “faulty” type of piping can spring leaks behind drywall and not be discovered until it becomes a huge issue. One of the main issues with polybutylene plumbing is that the pipes may look fine from the outside, while they are slowly deteriorating from the inside and could rupture at any moment.

Poly-b pipe failure is becoming an increasingly dangerous situation for many homeowners in the Lower Mainland. If you think that you have polybutylene pipes in your home, the professional plumber at Vancouver Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can help you maintain or replace your existing pipes.

If you have poly-b plumbing in your home, it is almost inevitable that you will have to replace it at some point; however, there are a few things that the professional plumbers at Vancouver Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can do to help extend the life of your existing polybutylene pipes:

• Replace plastic fittings – plastic fittings on poly-b pipes should be replaced with copper or brass fittings in order to prevent cracks and leaks over time.
• Do not over crimp – these pipes are held in place with metal bands. If these bands are crimped too tightly, hairline fractures will occur, causing leakage.
• Lower the pressure – having a professional plumber install a pressure-reducing valve can reduce the water pressure in your home, allowing for less stress on both the pipes and the fittings.
• Reduce the chlorine – high levels of chlorine in the water can speed up the deterioration of polybutylene pipes. If your home is in an area of high levels of chlorine, you may want to have a filter installed to remove the chlorine right where the water comes into the home, not just where it comes out of the tap.
• Cool down the pipes – hot water can also cause the poly-b pipes to deteriorate at a faster rate. Polybutylene pipes should not be connected directly to the hot water tank. You can turn down the temperature on your hot water heaterin order to protect your pipes, but do not set it lower than 55 degrees or bacteria might begin to form in the tank.

• At Vancouver Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we know that maintaining your polybutylene plumbing is only a temporary solution. That is why we offer poly-b replacement services to customers throughout the Lower Mainland that are specifically designed to give you peace of mind. Our team of professional plumbers can replace your old polybutylene pipes with piping made from stronger materials that will last you a lifetime. If you are living in the Lower Mainland and are looking for an expert, licensed professional to replace your poly-b pipes, get in touch with us today.