The Repiping Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

February 11, 2025

If your home was built between the 1970s and 1990s, there’s a chance it has Poly-B (polybutylene) piping. Many home insurance providers in Canada no longer cover homes with Poly-B pipes, and some companies may even require proof of pipe replacement before offering a policy.

At John G Plumbing, we specialize in Poly-B pipe replacement to help homeowners protect their property, secure home insurance, and prevent costly water damage. Here’s what you can expect from our five-step repiping process:

Step 1: Mapping Out the Most Cost-Effective Method

Before starting, we assess your home’s plumbing system and discuss the best repiping options. Cost to replace Poly-B piping in BC varies based on home size, pipe material (PEX or copper), and labor. We prioritize a cost-effective approach while ensuring your new plumbing system meets Canadian insurance requirements.

Step 2: Preparing by Cutting Drywall Pieces

We carefully cut drywall in necessary areas to access the old Poly-B pipes, minimizing damage for easy repairs. This step ensures an efficient repiping process without unnecessary demolition.

What insurance companies cover Poly-B pipe replacement?
Some insurance providers in Canada will cover part of the repiping cost. Contact your home insurance provider to discuss potential coverage options.

Step 3: Dry-Fitting the New Pipe System

Before making any permanent changes, we dry-fit the new PEX or copper pipes to ensure proper alignment and efficiency. This step is crucial to avoiding future plumbing problems.
Poly-B plumbing problems

Poly-B pipes deteriorate over time, leading to leaks.
Insurance companies may refuse coverage for homes with Poly-B piping.
Poly-B lawsuits in Canada have highlighted the risks of this outdated material.

Step 4: Turning Off Water & Connecting to Fixtures

Once we’re ready, we turn off the water, remove the old Poly-B pipes, and install the new plumbing system. Our team ensures all connections are secure before testing for leaks. Replacing Poly-B pipes is the best way to lower your home insurance costs and protect your property from expensive water damage

Can you get homeowners insurance with Poly-B piping?
Many insurance companies in Canada will either:

Deny coverage outright.
Charge higher premiums for homes with Poly-B pipes.
Require a full Poly-B replacement before renewing or issuing a policy.

Step 5: Walkthrough to Ensure Customer Satisfaction

Before completing the project, we do a final walkthrough with you to ensure everything meets your expectations. We also provide documentation of the repiping work, which may help you negotiate better home insurance rates.

Why Repiping Matters

Repiping your home prevents costly leaks, improves water quality, and increases plumbing efficiency. If you’re dealing with low water pressure, discolored water, or frequent pipe leaks, it might be time to consider repiping.

Say Goodbye to Frustrating Drains

AND SAY HELLO TO JOHN G’S

Home maintenance doesn’t need to be stressful.

John G. Plumbing provides quick, affordable and reliable solutions for sewer and septic issues for residential and commercial properties. In addition to helping with clogged drains, we offer other related services for installing new fixtures, drain camera inspections, and more.