Poly B replacement has become one of the most urgent plumbing issues facing Kelowna homeowners today. Thousands of homes built between the late 1970s and mid-1990s still contain Polybutylene (Poly B) plumbing, a material now known to fail without warning—and one that many insurance companies refuse to cover.
If your home has grey plumbing pipe, your insurance, resale value, and peace of mind may already be at risk.
What Is Poly B Plumbing?
Poly B plumbing is a flexible grey plastic pipe that was widely used in residential homes due to its low cost and easy installation. Unfortunately, time has revealed serious flaws.
While the pipe is easily identified by its signature grey color, the color itself isn’t the problem—the chemical makeup of the plastic is.
Poly B reacts poorly with chlorine and other oxidants in municipal water, causing the pipe to deteriorate from the inside out. This means pipes can look perfectly fine on the outside—until they suddenly burst. For more information, read our guide on what you need to know about Poly B.
Why Poly B Replacement Is an Insurance Issue
Insurance companies across Canada increasingly view Poly B plumbing as a high-risk material. In Kelowna, many homeowners discover the problem only when:
- Their insurance renewal is denied
- Coverage is restricted or significantly more expensive
- A claim is refused after a sudden pipe failure
In some cases, homes with Poly B plumbing are considered uninsurable unless a full Poly B replacement is completed and documented.
Signs Your Home May Have Poly B Plumbing
You may have Poly B plumbing if:
- Your home was built between 1978 and 1995
- You see grey plumbing pipe under sinks or in the mechanical room
- Pipes are labeled “PB” or “Polybutylene”
- You’ve experienced unexplained leaks or water pressure changes
Not sure if you have Poly B or another material? View our comparison guide on Poly B vs. Kitec Piping.
A professional inspection is the only way to confirm it for certain.
House Risks From Burst Poly B Piping
Delaying Poly B replacement can be far more expensive than acting early. A single pipe failure can result in:
- Extensive water damage
- Mold growth
- Denied insurance claims
- Emergency plumbing costs
- Reduced home value during resale
Many buyers now require proof of Poly B replacement before closing.
Why Full Poly B Replacement Is the Only Real Solution
Spot repairs do not solve the problem. Once Poly B begins to degrade internally, failure can occur anywhere in the system.
A full Poly B replacement involves removing all grey plumbing pipe and upgrading to modern, insurance-approved materials such as PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) or copper piping. PEX is the current industry standard due to its resistance to chlorine and its durability, while copper offers a traditional, long-lasting metal alternative. This restores insurability, improves reliability, and protects your home long-term.
Poly B Replacement in Kelowna: What to Expect
We provide expert Poly B remediation for residential and commercial properties across Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, and Summerland. A professional Poly B replacement typically includes:
- Full system inspection
- Removal of all Poly B piping
- Installation of new, code-approved PEX or copper piping
- Pressure testing
- Professional documentation of the completed work for your records
Whether you need residential Poly B repipes or commercial Poly B pipe replacements, most projects can be completed efficiently with minimal disruption when handled by an experienced team.
Protect Your Home Before Insurance Forces the Issue
If your Kelowna home still has grey plumbing pipe, the risk isn’t hypothetical—it’s documented, well known, and increasingly enforced by insurance companies.
Poly B replacement isn’t just a plumbing upgrade. It’s a safeguard for your home, your finances, and your insurability.
Is Poly B plumbing illegal in Kelowna?
No, but Poly B is no longer approved for new installations and is considered high-risk by insurers.
What is the best alternative to Poly B plumbing in BC?
The most common insurance-approved alternatives are PEX and copper. PEX is highly durable and cost-effective, making it the preferred choice for most modern residential repipes because it does not react to chlorine the way Poly B does.
Will insurance cover homes with Poly B plumbing?
Some insurers refuse coverage or limit policies unless a full Poly B replacement is completed.
How do I know if my home has grey plumbing pipe?
Grey flexible pipes marked “PB” are a common sign, but a professional inspection is the safest way to confirm.
Can I just repair sections of Poly B piping?
No, spot repairs do not stop future failures—full Poly B replacement is the only reliable solution.
Does Poly B replacement increase home value?
Yes, replacing Poly B plumbing can improve resale value and remove a major objection for buyers.
Does Vision provide special certification for insurance after a repipe?
While we don’t provide a specific “certification” document, all our installations are fully code-compliant. We provide standard, professional documentation of the completed work—such as detailed invoices—that you can submit to your insurance provider as proof of the upgrade
