Poly B Plumbing – Urban Piping https://www.urbanpiping.com Poly B Replacement and Plumbing Services Fri, 27 Mar 2020 20:12:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.2 Top 10 Reasons: Use Urban Piping for Poly B Replacement https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/urban-piping-for-poly-b-replacement/ Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:40:08 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=5161 #1 – First Company to Start

First company to start, Urban piping Ltd has been the front runner in poly b replacement, right from day one after the class action lawsuit that saw poly b piping inadmissible to indemnity rights by insurance companies across North America.

#2 – More Poly B Replacement Work

More poly b replacement work than everyone else combined, Urban Piping Ltd replaces the pipes in 15 homes a week on average across western Canada. On top of that in the last decade we have replaced the poly b in close to 10,000 houses, 15 high-rises and re-mediated 10 full townhouse complexes. That’s a lot of pipe!

#3 – No Sub-Contracting

We Don’t Sub Contract! Everyone at Urban Piping Ltd is an employee of Urban Piping Ltd. This ensures that the quality Urban Piping Ltd delivers is the best possible, the job will be done on time, and you won’t have to call 5 different contractors to get your poly b replacement, painting, and drywall done.

#4 – We Care!

WE CARE, our company cares about your property. We go above and beyond to make sure our customers houses are completely protected, and we don’t just mean covering the floors with a drop cloth. Before our team replaces the poly b piping in your house we will completely cover all hard surfaces with Ram-Board* ( a special high impact cardboard material), then we use a special sticky plastic to coat all carpeted surfaces, next we put a layer of drop cloth plastic over the ram board and the carpet plastic for the ultimate protection. Next we cover all furniture in affected areas with a medium density plastic film to protect from dust. Lastly we employ a series of Air Scrubbers to hepa filter the entire construction site, this not only keeps the fine dust down but also keeps the air quality high for our workers.

#5 – Straight Forward Pricing

You pay what we quote. Urban Piping Ltd. has state of the art poly b quoting technology that will give exact prices for each project upfront. No guessing. No maybes. Just upfront to the penny pricing.

#6 – A+ BBB Rating

BBB A+ Rating. Urban Piping Ltd. Is Accredited with the Better Business Bureau, where we maintain the highest A+ rating.

#7 – State of Art Techniques and Equipment

We invest, we are constantly updating our systems and equipment, for example as of right now we are the only plumbing outfit in western Canada that uses air scrubbing Hepa filters daily on our sites. We believe it’s things like this that keep our job sites and our employees at the top of the game.

#8 – Premium Quality Products for Pipe Replacement

We use only the best of the best products, our Class A pex piping made for us by Rehau comes with a 25yr warranty, is interwoven numerous times, and comes UV shielded.

#9 – Stellar Reviews

Reviews! We have more poly b replacement reviews than any company online, Search the internet for our services we will see we hold a 4+ Star rating on every platform available.

#10 – Trenchless Pipe Replacement

Trenchless Pipe Replacement. Urban Piping removes 100% of the poly b on the properties we work on. If their is a main water line running under your property, we have the expertise required to complete trenchless water line repair and replacement which means removing the underground piping with only digging up minimal parts of a property.

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Buying or Selling a Home With Polybutylene? https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/buying-or-selling-a-home-with-polybutylene/ Tue, 25 Jun 2019 20:18:14 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3576 Buying or selling a home is an excellent investment for the homebuyers and a source of income for the seller. However, when there is Polybutylene in the house, the story changes. One of the reasons for the twist to purchasing or selling a home is the presence of Polybutylene in the home, which has been banned by most building codes. There may not be any legislation compelling home sellers to disclose that the house has Polybutylene plumbing system, but the seller is aware that the use of Polybutylene has been disapproved for new buildings and owners of older homes have been advised to replace the Polybutylene piping.

What to Know When Buying a Home With Polybutylene?

As a buyer, if you have found a home you love so much, but it has Polybutylene installed, you may feel discouraged about buying the house. You are correct to be discouraged because it is only a matter of time before Polybutylene fails, which may be very expensive to fix. However, if the seller agrees to replace the Polybutylene piping before selling the home to you, you are fortunate.

It is, however, important to mention that sellers do not re-pipe homes before putting up their properties for sale as a form of marketing strategy. Meanwhile, some sellers may consider this as a good idea particularly if the real estate market is experiencing low sales.

Before you complete the purchasing contract with the seller of the home with Polybutylene pipes, inform your real estate agent to tell the seller to either:

  1. Replace the Polybutylene pipes with PEX or copper pipes OR
  2. Reduce the selling price of the home to allow you to replace the Poly B Piping pipes before you move in.


What to Know When Selling a Home That Has Polybutylene?

If you are a seller, you should disclose all known conditions that the buyers need to know about the property including the likelihood of leaky pipes. If you decide to replace Polybutylene pipes in your home, that is good. But remember that many homebuyers are willing to take over risks that are fully disclosed. Some buyers may demand that you replace the Polybutylene pipes or ask for a price reduction to provide to a re-pipe after buying the home. Meanwhile, you should be aware that few buyers would withdraw their purchase offer completely. On the contrary, there would be some buyers who want to remodel the building anyway. Hence, any replacement you did would be a wasted investment.

If you will not re-pipe your home, you should ensure to inform the buyer of the possible risks of Polybutylene pipe in the house. You know that if they are not at home when a pipe bursts, it will cause water and structural damages worth thousands of dollars. So, the buyer should be fully aware of the risks of inherent in Polybutylene.

What Both Homebuyers and Sellers Should know about Polybutylene?

Polybutylene is also called Poly B or PB. It is a type of plastic pipe made from a resin called “Polybutylene,” and it used to be the most common plumbing material in residential buildings from 1985 to 1997. Besides, it was estimated that more than 10 million homes had Polybutylene installed in them.

The problem with Polybutylene is its high occurrence of a failure as it would rupture and cause structural and water damages. The U.S. building codes do not accept Polybutylene pipes any longer in recently constructed buildings and Polybutylene pipes in older homes are recommended for replacement. Also, the manufacture of Polybutylene has been discontinued.

One major factor that the homebuyers and sellers should know is that Polybutylene pipes are not reliable and will eventually burst. This kind of pipes gets degraded daily due to the presence of chlorine in the public water supply and other physical factors that contribute to their accelerated corrosion. Over time, Polybutylene gets too fragile and brittle to withstand pressure; so, they crack from the inside out.

Polybutylene has a high possibility of failure to cause severe structural damage to any building. To make matters worse, water leaks via Polybutylene may not be detected early enough to prevent significant damages except it happens in conspicuous locations.

As a result of the possible failure of Polybutylene, it is crucial that home sellers disclose if there are Polybutylene pipes in the home to allow the potential homebuyer to know the true state of the residence. If they are willing to purchase the home regardless of the Poly B pipes, they will gladly go ahead with the contract, and if not, nobody will be held in the dark concerning the state of the building about the Polybutylene plumbing system in the building.

The potential buyer should also go the extra mile to ascertain the condition of the home with a checklist that includes verifying the plumbing system in the house for possible installation of Polybutylene. In case the seller does not disclose, the buyer will know the risks involved in buying the home if Polybutylene pipes are installed.

How to Find Polybutylene Pipes

If you want to buy a new home, your inspector should find out the type of pipes installed in the home. However, you may want to check and see for yourself if Polybutylene pipes are installed in the house. There are two ways to identify Poly B pipes quickly:

  1. The color of Polybutylene pipes is usually blue, but it can also be gray or black
  2. There is always a “PB” inscription next to a set of numbers on the pipe.

The most common locations where you can find Polybutylene pipes are:

  1. Near the water heater and hot water tank
  2. Pipes connected to toilets and sinks
  3. At the water meter or main shut-off valve
  4. The pipe running across the ceiling in an unfinished basement

On a final note, Polybutylene pipes should be replaced either by the party selling a house or the potential buyer. And both parties must agree on how to share the expenses.

More on Poly B…

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Why Replacing Polybutylene Is Time Sensitive https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-replacement/why-replacing-polybutylene-is-time-sensitive/ Thu, 20 Jun 2019 20:11:30 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3573 Polybutylene pipes used to be one of the most commonly used pipes for the plumbing system. They are also called poly b piping. Contrary to their popularity, the damages caused due to their failure have been unprecedented in history. Due to the high possibility of failure of these pipes, homeowners who have yet to replace them are advised to do so as a matter of urgency. Polybutylene pipes are liable to fail at any moment without prior signs.

Although Polybutylene pipes can last between 10 and 15 years, its corrosion and degradation can be accelerated by water chlorination. Besides, the damage of Polybutylene pipes happens from inside out; so, there is no way to know the extent of damage the pipes have already suffered. The best solution is to replace them as soon as possible.

Changing Polybutylene pipes is a time sensitive matter, and delay could result in costly damages and expensive repairs. Even though Polybutylene pipes are no longer manufactured, they are still found in most homes because they were the most popular plumbing material between 1985 and 1997 as one out of every four houses had them installed due to low prices and inexpensive cost of installation. Irrespective of the performance or how good the Polybutylene pipes in your home look, over time, they will leak. Therefore, it is recommended that you replace them.

Polybutylene pipes are no longer recommended for use in new buildings and construction done from around 1997 till date; they are, however, likely to be found in homes built from 1985 to 1997. As a result, you have to hire a professional plumber to examine the plumbing system of your home to find out if Polybutylene pipes are still there and replace them correctly with copper or galvanized steel pipes.

It should be noted that Polybutylene pipes get degraded by oxidants in treated water over time and that makes the integrity of the pipes questionable and unreliable. If you just bought a home, the onus is on you to find out if there are Polybutylene pipes in the home as there is no legislation compelling the disclosure of Polybutylene pipes by the seller.

Why Replacing Polybutylene Is Time Sensitive?

Replacing poly b piping should not be delayed for many reasons including, but not limited to the following reasons:

  1. Water chlorination of the public water supply breaks down Polybutylene pipes over time. Chlorine and antibacterial agents wear away poly b pipes. As a result, the pipes become brittle and flake, crack or break. Polybutylene pipes are highly vulnerable at fittings, which cause micro-fractures and the pipes’ structure breaks down. You would not wish to experience pipe burst or water leak into your property due to compromised pipes.
  2. Flaking pipe materials may leak chemicals into water and affect its quality badly. Degrading Polybutylene pipes can expose users of water from that place to chemical substances that may cause health issues over time. For this reason, commercial property owners replace Polybutylene pipes as soon as possible without waiting to see how long they will last.
  3. Unfortunately, Polybutylene pipes cannot be repaired or exchanged. Its production has been stopped over a decade ago. There are better options available that you can use instead of unreliable Polybutylene pipes.
  4. Most American and Canadian building codes have ruled out Polybutylene pipes for new and existing buildings. Therefore, you should ensure that the plumbing system in your building is entirely compliant with the national building codes.
  5. With the high rate of failure of Polybutylene pipes recorded, most insurance companies refuse to insure homes with Polybutylene pipes installed. As a result, you will undoubtedly have difficulty getting insurance.
  6. If you want to sell your home that has poly b, potential buyers can be discouraged from purchasing the home due to the existence of Polybutylene pipes. To have good value offered for your property, replace all Polybutylene pipes present in your home without delay.

How Can You Maintain Polybutylene Pipes Before Replacement?

Having discovered that you have Polybutylene pipes in your home, the next step should be to replace them. However, if you want to wait for some time before you replace them due to financial constraints, here are the ways you can maintain the Polybutylene pipes in your building to prevent accelerated degradation or damage to them and extend their lifespan.

  1. Change Plastic Fittings

Contact a professional plumber to replace the plastic fittings with brass or copper fittings because plastic fittings fail over time. This is one of the steps you can take to prepare for the cost or replacing the poly b piping.

  1. Avoid Over-crimping

Obviously, pipes are held in place with metal bands. However, if they are crimped too tightly, it could cause hairline fractures, which will result in leaks. So, check and adjust any over-crimped metal bands.

  1. Reduce the Pressure

There are pressure-reducing valves made to lower the pressure of water in your house and make pipes and fittings less stressed. Try and achieve about 40 to 60 psi because higher pressure could make already weakened Polybutylene pipes to rupture.

  1. Lower the Chlorine

High levels of chlorine will accelerate the corrosion of Polybutylene pipes. If you perceive there is high chlorine content in the public water supply in your state, ask a certified plumber to install a filter at the point where water comes into your home to remove chlorine, not just on the faucets.

  1. Reduce Water Temperature

Polybutylene pipes cannot handle hot water effectively; as a result, hot water weakens Polybutylene pipes faster. To reduce the rate of damage to the poly b pipes in your home, lower the temperature of your water heater. In the same vein, remove any Polybutylene pipes connected directly to the hot water tank.

Meanwhile, replacing Polybutylene pipes is a very time sensitive process; you should not delay more than necessary. Make sure you change the poly b piping as soon as possible. Sudden Polybutylene pipes failure is an unpleasant experience that can cost more to carry out. To prevent an unpleasant experience, get the Polybutylene pipes replaced quickly. At Urban Piping, we are the #1 Poly B Contractor and have completed more polybutylene pipe replacements that any other company. 

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Effects of Chlorine on Polybutylene Piping https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/effects-of-chlorine-on-polybutylene-piping/ Fri, 14 Jun 2019 19:55:59 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3570  

Many people still have Polybutylene pipes in their houses or offices until now. However, Polybutylene pipes are vulnerable to damage due to the presence of chlorine in the water the pipes carry. The effects of Chlorine on Polybutylene Piping has been identified as one of the significant damaging factors for Polybutylene pipes.

In this article, you will learn why chlorine is used to purify water, what Polybutylene pipes are, and the effects of chlorine of Polybutylene pipes.

Why Use Chlorine on Water?

Chlorine is applied to water in a process called “water chlorination.” Chlorine is added to public water supplies to eliminate bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and other microbes that are present in the water due to their growth in water supply tanks or reservoirs, and on the walls of water mains.

Chlorine serves as a disinfectant to make water potable and free from waterborne diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, and cholera. Meanwhile, chlorine can react with other chemical compounds present in certain materials like the Polybutylene pipes, and that is why the pipes get damaged when they are exposed to chlorine over time.

What Are Polybutylene Pipes?

Polybutylene pipes are flexible grey pipes used for plumbing and hot water heating systems in both residential and commercial buildings. Polybutylene pipes are also referred to as “Poly B.” Polybutylene is a type of resin used in the manufacturing of pipes. This type of pipes was prevalent between 1985 and 1997 because they were inexpensive and easy-to-install. Polybutylene pipes were believed to be “the pipe of the future.”

However, Polybutylene pipes were regrettably unreliable, unstable, and vulnerable to cracking and rupturing, which made many houses flooded and properties damaged. Polybutylene pipes were in production until 1997 when it was discontinued. Until it was stopped from manufacturing, more than six million homes were estimated to have installed Polybutylene pipes between 1985 and early 1997.

The reason for its widespread use was due to its cheaper pricing and being less labor intensive to install than copper. Sadly, Polybutylene pipes later turned out to be a catastrophe.


What Are Polybutylene Problems?

The failure of Polybutylene pipes was highly noticeable because they were used for underground and interior piping in residential and commercial buildings about one in every four building. But apart from the effects of chlorine, Polybutylene pipes have their inherent problems, which only got aggravated by chlorine.

Some of the causes of Polybutylene pipes’ failure include the following:

  1. The use of grey and white plastic insert fittings for connecting the pipes instead of metal fittings.
  2. Excessive use of aluminum bands that cause cracks in the fittings.
  3. Poor installation at hot water tanks or areas with excessively high temperatures.
  4. A faulty installation that results in tense or crumpling piping.
  5. Use at places with high levels of chlorine.

What Are The Effects of Chlorine on Polybutylene Piping?

Although there was not enough scientific evidence, chlorine in public water supplies caused a chemical reaction with the Polybutylene pipes and acetal fittings (grey and white plastic insert fittings). This reaction causes the Polybutylene pipes to damage with the following effects as one effect leads to another until the pipes become damaged:

  1. Scaling

Scaling is the process by which mineral layer forms on the internal surface of the pipe due to the presence of chlorine in the water being transported. This process eventually reduces the efficiency of the pipe. Over time, the Polybutylene pipes begin to scale due to the chemical reaction caused by high levels of chlorine in the public water supplies. This is one of the effects of chlorine on Polybutylene pipes, and it goes a long way to weaken the pipe and make it vulnerable to damage. With the reduced space in the pipe for water to pass, the pressure in the pipe will become higher and could make the integrity of the Polybutylene pipes compromised.

  1. Flaking

Flaking is the falling away of scales from the surface of Polybutylene pipes in the form of flakes. The scale build-up will unavoidably result in less space and higher pressure within the pipes, which will eventually cause the pipe to flake. The flaking of the Polybutylene pipes makes the pipes thinner from the inside, and the supposed thickness of the pipes get reduced gradually. Flaking makes pipes to be vulnerable to becoming brittle.

  1. Brittle

Chlorine causes continuous effects on Polybutylene pipes. After the pipes have flaked for some time, they become fragile, shatterable, and liable to breaking easily, although seemingly hard. When Polybutylene pipes become brittle, they can break into pieces anytime without warning and cause water to leak uncontrollably.  

Although other factors contribute to the failure of Polybutylene pipes, high levels of chlorine have been discovered to be the main culprit in compromising the integrity of Polybutylene pipes and cause the pipes to fail. The failure of Polybutylene pipes resulted in several lawsuits that caused in the payment of damages of not less than $950 million, even though the manufacturers did not admit that the Polybutylene pipes were defective.

Meanwhile, the continuous use of chlorine in public water supplies accelerates the rate of corrosion and degradation of Polybutylene pipes. Consequently, Polybutylene pipes can fail anytime without warnings that is why it is suggested that Polybutylene pipes should be replaced if you still have them in your home or commercial building.

Where Can You Find Polybutylene Pipes?

Polybutylene pipes are used for water supply from the main water line into a house, whether residential or commercial. These pipes are commonly found in the following locations:


  1. At the entry of the water heater
  2. A pipe transporting water across the basement ceilings
  3. Pipes feeding bathtubs, toilets, and sinks.


  1. The pipe is transporting water from the basement walls.
  2. A pipe attached to the main water shutoff valve.
  3. A pipe attached to the water meter.

You can check these locations to see if you still have Polybutylene pipes in your building. If there are these pipes in your home, contact an experienced Poly B replacement plumber to replace them for you to forestall possible fail and prevent damages to your property.

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Poly B Pinhole Leak? Here’s What Happens https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/poly-b-pinhole-leak/ Tue, 30 Apr 2019 19:15:41 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3298 It’s becoming more and more common that people are experiencing poly b pinhole leak in their home, this is usually the first telltale sign of future problems to come.





Poly b pinhole leak choice number one




Poly b pinhole leak choice number two





Continue Reading…

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A Brief History on Poly B Lawsuits and Litigation https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/poly-b-lawsuits/ Sat, 16 Mar 2019 20:43:17 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3257 As far back as the 1980s, plumbing systems which were designed with polybutylene plastic were being projected to be far cheaper, as well as, a lot more long lasting than plumbing systems that were made of copper pipes. Polybutylene pipes were used for plumbing new homes, especially where rapid growth in the housing industry was taking place. As the years went by, millions of houses had polybutylene plumbing systems installed in them.

However, not too long after the installation, these polybutylene plumbing systems started to fail in their fittings and the pipes themselves. Nationwide, a lot of consumers laid blames on several factors which were poor design, faulty manufacturing, sub-par installation, as well as, material degradation resulting from chemicals that were present in the water. What followed was over a decade of litigation, a company going bankrupt, and huge money amounting to hundreds of millions spent before a class action resolution was finally reached.

Shell Oil Company kicked off the production of polybutylene resin in 1977 and remained the only producer of this raw material until 1996 when it took the product off the market. Over the years, however, Shell continues to produce this polybutylene resin and has greatly modified it for sale in the international market.

Hoechst Celanese Corporation is a producer of Celcon which is an acetal compound used prior to the 1990s for the production of fittings meant for plastic plumbing. Its competitors, DuPont manufacturers, are producers of Delrin which is another acetal product used in the production of fittings from 1983-1988. Today, both of these acetal products are still widely being used in the manufacture of a variety of consumer products which include car parts.

The US Brass Corporation purchased polybutylene resin, as well as, Celcon from Shell and Hoechst. With these products, it not only designed but produced plumbing systems and had the systems sold using a brand name called “Qest.” They, then, partnered with Shell to carry out a Nationwide marketing campaign which set up a firm ground for plastic plumbing systems. Then came along Vanguard Plastics who, also, made use of Celcon and Delrin as the fittings for its produced plumbing systems.


Litigation with regards to leaky plumbing systems kick-started in the 1980s in Texas, as well as, California. However, these cases were mostly sparse, involving home builders and municipalities. It was not until 1987 that significant litigation by a homeowner took place.

James Moriarty filed a lawsuit against US Brass, Hoechst, Shell, and also a home builder called General Homes Corporation. Prior to this, Moriarty had already filed a suit against GH corporation due to different reasons but scaled after being approached by a homeowner in La Porte in Houston. The homeowner approached him to discuss a case of leaking pipes. Moriarty had a mass tort experience that was small, as well as, a little experience in plaintiff consumer litigation.

He went ahead to represent 100 homeowners and filed a suit which alleged that the homeowners experienced damages to their property, as well as, mental anguish and were seeking for damages resulting from negligence, fraud, and a violation of the DPTA of Texas. All the plaintiffs were represented by Moriarty differently and the cases filed were not a class action but were done only on behalf of the homeowners. Moriarty got a trial date and successfully won a verdict amounting to $3.4 million.

After his research, Moriarty was led by the La Porte court case to see the huge potential that existed for litigation with respect to polybutylene plumbing. He entered into a partnership with a lawyer from a Houston-based law firm whose name was George Fleming. After establishing contact at a social event, they both realized that a common ideology was held by them both in terms of complex litigation. Then again, they both believed they could use technology as an advantage over their opponents.

They became partners in the La Porte case and, prior to their separation in 1992, were able to represent thousands of persons who had complaints about polybutylene plumbing, going on to consolidate various individual claims per trial. The goals of Moriarty were clear and straightforward which were –

  • That his clients would receive a premium that exceeded what was necessary to resolve their plumbing problems.
  • That America would be re-plumbed by the defendants.

Although these were their goals, neither of the two partners were able to initiate a class action. Since the DPTA made allowances for treble damages, the trial atmosphere was accommodating for consumer litigation, coupled with the fact that Texas allowed outsiders to file cases at its courts. Earlier cases were taken to the courts as fraud cases, and some of the allegations combined negligence, DPTA violations, strict liability, as well as, fraud. Most times, the plaintiffs won these cases which found their way to trial with judgments ranging from $25k to $50k each for the homeowners. From these settlements, all expenses, as well as, attorney fees were paid.


Michael Caddell was the lead counsel for the PB class action case which was settled in 1995 and led to more than 320,000 houses getting a full re-plumb, repair, and inspection with no cost whatsoever on the part of the homeowner.

These pipes were manufactured around the 1970s and were projected as the best alternative for metal pipes. They were manufactured from byproducts of refined petrochemical, and they were advertised to be resistant to depreciation, totally immune to corrosion, and relatively easy with respect to maintenance and replacement. In fact, between 1978 and 1995, millions of houses had polybutylene plumbing. However, this was not the case as polybutylene the grades on contact with chlorinated water which was prevalent in the US. Thousands of houses experienced polybutylene failures.

Lawsuits against the manufacturers began to be filed, and these manufacturers either had their insurance exhausted or filed for bankruptcy. Settlements were awarded which amounted into millions of dollars, but over half of the money went towards legal costs. In fact, these homeowners usually had nothing substantial left to re-plumb their homes after settling the legal costs.

Caddell partnered with the TLPJ in 1993 and filed in Houston the very widely known national class action against shell, DuPont, as well as Celanese. These partners together were able to negotiate a huge settlement which successfully helped to re-plumb the homes of individuals who met the qualifications.

Caddell was appointed to be chairman of the entity which was set up to administer the settlement and helped to get over 320000 houses re-plumbed in just over 15 years. The court-supervised the administration but was not obligated to involve itself in the settlement of disputes. In total, more than $1.14 billion was spent by the defendants, and about 92% went towards homeowners relief while the administrative costs, as well as, the attorney fees took up the remaining 8%. In fact, about 96% of beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

Cox v. Shell which was the final settlement goes down in history as arguably the most successful class-action settlements and shows that class actions have the power to offer huge relief to a large number of affected persons efficiently.

Read more about Poly B Plumbing…

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Poly B to PEX Piping – Making the Switch https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/poly-b-to-pex/ Mon, 04 Mar 2019 16:40:34 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3245  

Suffering water leakages and a pipe burst in your home or office? It’s probably one of those structures built in the ’80s and ’90s and was piped with the legendary Polybutylene also known as Poly B. Poly B piping was thought to be the solution to the future of plumbing until it started exhibiting leakages and pipe bursts. Majority of home owners are now renovating and switching to PEX A piping to ensure no surprise leakages will effect their homes.

Issues with Poly B

If you own a structure with poly B piping, you should consider replacing it with the PEX A to avoid leakages and a pipe bursts. Here are some reasons you should fix Poly B and also why you should replace them with class PEX A piping as soon as possible.

  • Poly B faced a number of lawsuits. Poly B fault originated from the foundation of Poly B which is the production and moves to the transportation and installation.
  • Polybutylene is prone to leakages because of the breakage of its molecular bonds. What weakens the bonds of Poly B the most is the exposure to UV light prior to installation. The more sun it’s exposed to the higher the chances of leakages to occur.
  • Another factor that has affected the Poly piping is the reaction to chlorine. The piping tends to deteriorate quickly in places where they have chlorine in the water like most municipal water supply systems.

Replacing Poly with a PEX A pipe is the best option so far because their average life span is up to 50 years.

We are going to discuss PEX A piping and compare it with Poly B piping.


Class A PEX Piping

PEX is polyethylene that has all it’s polymer chains joined chemically as it undergoes a transformation process in the molecular structure. The polymer chains are cross-linked with each other creating a three-dimensional network, This process leads to flexible thermoset polymer, having enhanced chemical, thermal and mechanical properties.

PE means polyethylene while the X symbolizes the cross-linking. You can as well say it’s cross-linked polyethylene.

Commercial cross-linking was started in 1968 with the use of high-pressure peroxide known as PEXa. It requires the addition of liquid peroxide in a small quantity to HDPE in a monitored building under normal temperature. The next cross-linking achieved a higher and better result with pipes cross-linked up to 85 percent. Some PEX pipes have the unique ability to expand under pressure and contrast back to normal when the pressure is out. This occurs because of the flexibility of the PEX pipe.

Some Comparable Qualities –  Poly B to PEX Piping


  • The brief information above shows that PEX is as a result of the reaction gotten from a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This piping is used all over the world, and it is also used to replace Poly B. Currently, it’s the best.


  • The process of manufacturing anything at all is very important. Let’s examine the manufacturing process. During PEX production, the polymer chains connect with each other, and this connection is called “Cross-Linking,” this is not applicable in Poly B manufacturing process.
  • One of the significant and outstanding qualities of the PEX A is the pressure tolerance. The PEX A has a high-pressure tolerance capacity unlike the Poly B. Though the manufacturers of Poly B pipes have tried to improve on their pressure tolerance but to no avail.
  • The PEX A pipe does not react with chlorine, but Poly B reacts with chlorine. When one Poly B gets in contact with water containing chlorine, it results to slow deterioration, ruptures and leakage of the pipe. This is different for the PEX A piping.
  • The both of these products are strong to water pressure, and they do not easily get broken by water pressure but the PEX A pipe is known to be stronger and more flexible against water pressure.
  • The cross-linking feature in the manufacturing process of PEX A has left the pipe to be known as the most favorable and reliable pipe to use. The Poly B does not have this Cross-linking feature as it is outdated, though the manufacturers have tried to improve on the Poly B, the product has been retired and nothing has been done.

Read: Copper vs PEX Piping

Why Switch from Poly B to PEX A Piping

We will discuss some exceptional qualities of the PEX A pipe, that makes it the perfect pipe for the replacement of Poly B piping.

  1. Exceptional Flexibility; The PEX A pipe is seen to be the best because of the ability to stand impacts and freezing. It’s flexibility also allow it to withstand pressure more than any other pipe. The feature of expanding and contrasting of the pipe under pressure is as a result of its flexibility.
  2. Resistance to Chemicals; Chlorine comes to mind. The PEX A pipe is highly resistant to many chemicals; these are silicones, glycols, urethane foam, acid and bases, and latex paints.
  3. Easy to install; The  PEX pipe is easy to install because of its Flexibility and a unique joining technique. This pipe requires no glue nor soldering in the process of installation, and they also do not tend to produce a flame.
  4. Strength; The PEX A pipe is proven to be the strongest pipe plus a top of the range pressure ratings. This means the pressure or weight of water in it does nothing to the pipe
  5. Reliability; This PEX A pipe is reliable in the sense that it has been in usage for over 40yrs, which makes it the right replacement for Poly B piping.
  6. Resistance to Corrosion; The PEX A pipe is strong and not open to corrosion from soil or water. This pipe barely leaks no matter how bad the situation is.
  7. Environmental Friendliness; PEX A pipe is the only pipe that has been recorded to be environmentally friendly because of the following stated reasons Bellow;
  • The weight is light, and the cost of transporting it is very low
  • There is no chlorine added in the production process of this PEX A unlike that of Poly B
  • Efficient and  fast delivery of hot water through the pipes
  • Heat loss is reduced and as well as condensation
  • The durability and the longevity of the PEX A pipe have passed the test of time. 50 years on the average that sounds like forever
  • Production of the PEX A does not require mining of ore as do other pipes


The difference is now made know you can now choose which is your best pipe among these. PEX  pipe is generally accepted everywhere for piping projects while the Poly B is no longer accepted. PEX A is generally the best replacement for Poly B pipes so far, because of their good features. Having a bad contractor replace or install your PEX A pipe is as bad as having a Poly B pipe in your home, so make sure you contact professionals with experience like the Urban Piping. With multiple Canadian offices we can service nearly every part of western Canada.

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Buying a House with Poly B Piping? Read This! https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/buying-a-house-with-poly-b-piping/ Fri, 15 Feb 2019 03:48:02 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3225 Housing is important. And like everything considered to be important, all its features must be examined in detail. This includes the plan, structure of the house, nature of the area, fixtures, building materials, etc. The aim of this article is to familiarize the reader with the pros and cons of the choice of plumbing materials used in a house; with specific regard to poly b piping.

How to Identify Polybutylene Piping in Your House

The best and probably the most convenient way of identifying a polybutylene pipe would be to hire a professional. Not every grey pipe found in the house is a polybutylene pipe. There is also no certainty that a proper home inspection will yield a productive result in identifying polybutylene pipes because some inspectors may not be educated on identifying polybutylene piping.

Many plumbers installed copper stubs which passed through walls thereby hiding the polybutylene pipes in the walls. Some even used polybutylene as the main water line, disguising it as copper at the street or house ending. This makes it even more difficult for an inexperienced person to identify this kind of plumbing, solidifying the case to hire a professional.

Read: Poly B to PEX Piping, Making the Switch

Disadvantages of using Polybutylene Pipes

  1. Polybutylene pipes easily become brittle when chlorine oxidants used in the treatment of public water reacts on them.
  2. The fittings of polybutylene pipes are problematic. They are blown off easily by intense water pressure, and this results in leakages. We have encountered several cases of leakages from these fittings. Sometimes these leakages destroy household properties worth thousands of dollars.
  3. Polybutylene pipes are outdated and have been banned in some jurisdictions. By have them, you could possibly be at risk of pinhole leakage or pipe bursts.

Factors To Consider When Buying A House With Polybutylene Pipes

  1. Possible Damage and Consequent Cost

It is common knowledge that polybutylene pipes have weak fittings. Some real estate inspectors and even plumbers have said that it is almost certain that the pipes will fail. As a potential buyer of a house with polybutylene pipes, one may want to consider the possibility of the pipes failing and the consequent cost and damage of such failure. For instance, if there is a leakage, the house may have to be re-piped. If the leakage causes damage to any household property, this would have to be replaced as well. The cost of repairs would amount to spending tens of thousands of dollars.

Read: Poly B Replacement

  1. Insurance Problem

Currently, insurance companies are refusing to insure houses with polybutylene pipes. The reason for this is simple. Polybutylene is outdated! Many homes have replaced their polybutylene piping with PEX piping. Homes still having polybutylene pipes are at risk of property damage. These polybutylene pipes can “reduce a home’s value or prolong its time on the market.” According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Many insurance companies being fully aware of these facts refuse to insure homes with polybutylene pipes.

Read: Buying or Selling a Home with Poly B Piping

  1. Time Factor

Another factor which should not be overlooked is the time it would take to uninstall the polybutylene pipes in a house and replace them with PEX. The process involves cutting out drywall coverings, removing old pipes, installing new ones and returning the walls to their original state. Urban Piping Ltd is the #1 Poly B Contractor in Canada, it typically takes days to complete a remediation of a house (depending on the size of the house). Where does one stay while all the repairs are ongoing on and who bears the cost?

Read: Why is Replacing Poly B Piping Time Sensitive

  1. Polybutylene has been the subject of lots of litigation

Judicial precedence has set out two class-action lawsuit settlements that used to could cover some or all of the cost of refitting houses built with polybutylene pipes and in some cases reimburse a claimant for damages from leaks.

These was the Spencer v. Dupont and Cox v. Shell rules. In both rules, compensatory awards may have been granted to homeowners who have suffered loss as a result of leakages, but action could not be brought for an anticipated loss.

The deficiency of this rule as regards this issue is that one may have encounter an irreparable loss.

The difference between the two rules is that the Cox v. Shell settlement covered the total cost of re-piping whereas the Spencer v. Dupont settlement covered only 10% of the cost of re-piping.

Despite the fact that this legal channel may have provided some relief, the government expenditure for this has been exhausted and is no longer available to home owners. Currently the home owner is responsible to incur all costs in regards to a poly b replacement.

Read: Poly B Lawsuits and Legal Issues

Why Urban Piping Ltd.?

From the insightful exposition above it can be deduced that there are two main types of plastic piping. These are polybutylene and cross-linked polyethylene. The basic difference between both is that the polymer chains in the latter are bonded to each other thereby establishing a cross-link.

The effect of this cross-linking makes polyethylene (PEX) a better option for piping. PEX has  more resistance to high pressures as the cross-linking increases its pressure limits. Again, PEX more tolerance for harsh temperatures. Extreme weather conditions and water temperature does not affect the durability of polyethylene pipes. More so, the issue of corrosion does not affect PEX. The greater chlorine resistance of PEX makes it last longer even with high chlorine concentrations. More than ten million homes in the U.S. and Canada were built using polybutylene piping from 1978 to 1995, but this was before its unreliability was discovered. Today these pipes are no longer in use.

Read: Why Choose Urban Piping for Poly B Replacement

This leaves us with only one option, and that is repiping! The best company for this as far as Calgary, Edmonton, Burnaby, and the surrounding areas are concerned is Urban Piping Ltd. With a track record of eleven years experience, character-worthy, punctual and licensed personnel, we offer you a customer friendly service. Our services are also insured. Urban Piping Ltd. is well-known for the replacement of polybutylene pipes because they have literally pioneered the industry offering a complete in house service without the need to hire different contractors.

  1. First, we plastic wrap and cover the floor and furniture of your home.
  2. Then we initiate the remediation process by gaining access to the pipes via the drywall. Pull out old lines from the walls & ceiling where necessary & replace with new piping.
  3. We then patch up all holes in the ceiling and drywall where necessary. Also, paint-match your house paint to its original colors.
  4. We then clean the house and ensure that it is in the same condition that is was upon our arrival. After a walkthrough by you inspecting our work we then fix up and your poly b problems are no more.

Read more about our Complete Poly B Replacement Service.

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Difference Between Classes of PEX Piping https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-plumbing/classes-of-pex-piping/ Sat, 02 Feb 2019 17:29:22 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3215 Installing pipes requires being updated with the latest development and changes in the industry to prevent future problems. One of the changes that have taken place in the plumbing world is the successful poly B replacement and discontinuation in the use of copper pipes. PEX piping is the accepted piping for installation because of its resistance to corrosion and high flexibility features.

The two types of plastic types include the PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) and PB (Polybutylene or Poly B). Meanwhile, these pipes are different in certain ways. Poly B, for instance, is made of a plastic resin and it is commonly used for plumbing pipes because of its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, resistance to freezing, etc. However, people have stopped the use of poly B due to its delicate features and the issues it causes. Know the Facts on Poly B Piping.

Read: What is Poly B Piping?

The Difference between Classes of PEX Piping and Others

PEX is considered to be highly reliable because it is made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). For several uses all over the world, PEX has been used for poly B replacement. It is the preferred plumbing solution for domestic purposes.

The main difference between Poly B (PB) and PEX is their manufacturing. During the production of PEX, there is a connection between the polymer chains to one another, and this is called “Cross-Linking,” but it does not happen in Poly B pipes.

Because of the Cross-Linking of polymer chains, PEX is considered to be more favorable and the perfect poly B replacement option. The most significant benefit of PEX over Poly B is its pressure tolerance. Irrespective of the efforts of manufacturers to enhance the quality of PB, PEX continues to have a higher tolerance to pressure than Poly B.

Furthermore, chlorine that is popularly used to purify water subtly causes the Poly B pipes’ bonds to rupture and leak. Over time, Poly B can become weakened and break due to water pressure. Meanwhile, PEX can withstand water pressure more than PB regardless of the amount of chlorine.

Read: Color Coding Water Lines

Classes of PEX Piping – REHAU Class is the Superior Piping

People ask several questions why a poly B plumber considers REHAU PEX to be the perfect poly B replacement piping. First REHAU is a manufacturer of pipes such as PE, PP, OVC, and PEX. The company has in-depth, unmatched knowledge and experience of extrusion techniques. REHAU performs its compounding and blending of diverse ingredients under strict controls in the extrusion facility for the transformation of raw materials into high-quality finished product. The quality of REHAU PEXa pipes is higher than the international standards for performance.

What Is Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX)?

PEX is the polyethylene (PE) that has gone through a transformation in the molecular structure while all the polymer chains are linked chemically, crosslinked (X) with one another to form a three-dimensional network. This, however, results in a flexible thermoset polymer with enhanced thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties.

Why REHAU Class Is Superior

In 1968, REHAU started the commercial crosslinking with the use of high-pressure peroxide method also referred to as PEXa. This process requires the addition of a small amount of liquid peroxide to the base high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pellets in a controlled facility at moderate temperature.

Next, crosslinking takes place from the melting and extrusion of the resulting compound from the combination of pressure developed within the extrusion machine and high temperature. The consumption of peroxide occurs in the resultant reaction. This process makes a higher degree of crosslinking possible. Consequently, REHAU PEXa pipes are crosslinked up to 85% level.

One unique feature of REHAU class in the classes of PEX piping is its ability to expand under high pressure and return to its normal shape after the removal of the pressure. This is a high level of flexibility that will allow the expansion of water that freezes within it. The non-crosslinked pipe is rigid and has a high resistance to pressure before initial expansion- the reason for its deformity and forceful expansion that leave it forever weakened and changed.

Here are some of the reasons REHAU class is considered superior:

Exceptional Flexibility

PEX is the best Poly B replacement because of its ability to withstand impacts and freezing. And when there is surge pressure, it withstands it better than CPVC, steel, or copper without resulting in water hammer.

Excellent Strength

It has superior strength and top-of-the-range pressure ratings.

Resistance to Chemical

REHAU PEX has a high resistance to chemicals such as urethane foam, silicone, latex paints, glycols, and most acids and bases.

Resistance to Corrosion

It is not vulnerable to corrosion from water or soil, and it does not leak no matter how little.

Ease of Installation

Most Poly B plumbers confirm that REHAU PEX pipes are easy to install due to their flexibility and superior joining technique. Moreover, they require no glue or soldering, and they do not produce a flame.

Read: Poly B Drywall Repair – Best Practices


REHAU PEX pipes have been in existence for more than 40 years, and they are the perfect poly B replacement solution.

Environmental Friendliness

PEX is highly environmentally friendly compared to other materials. Here are the reasons:

  1. No use of chlorine in its production
  2. Requires no mining of ore as with copper due to the abundance of PE
  3. Energy efficient and faster delivery of hot water
  4. Reduction of heat loss and condensation as with copper pipes
  5. Lightweight and cheaper cost of transportation
  6. Proven durability and longevity

PEX is acceptable for piping projects while Poly B is not accepted any longer. As a result, PEX triumphs as the most suitable Poly B replacement and it is hard to find any Poly B plumber who completely understand all the classes of PEX piping like Urban Piping Ltd.

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Color Coding Water Lines – Poly B Replacement https://www.urbanpiping.com/poly-b-replacement/color-coding-water-lines/ Tue, 29 Jan 2019 16:45:06 +0000 https://www.urbanpiping.com/?p=3213 Color coding is the process of assigning a particular color to pipes to differentiate the content in them and avoid confusion or mix-up. It is essential to use color coding wherever there is more than one pipe to prevent users from harm.

Although there are different types of pipes used to transport liquid from one point to another. it is crucial to label each pipe and indicate the direction of the movement of the content in it for the convenience of anyone working on it.

Why Colour Code Plumbing Lines?

Color coding water lines is highly effective in minimizing cross-contamination of hazards within a sanitary processing facility. Color coding may not have been made a requirement under the law; a company can use color coding to show its commitment to the quality and consistency of their products. Companies that are in the beverage, food processing, pharmaceutical, and dairy products industries use color coding to keep to a high level of safety first for their employees and also to end-consumers.

Waterworks require compliance with certain recommended standards relative to pipe marking. The standard proposes that the name of the liquid or chemical and the direction of the flow be indicated on the pipe labels. However, the standard suggests a comprehensive color coding for the pipes that feed equipment.

Color codes for separating pipes are classified into water lines, chemical lines, and others. In a situation when colors of the pipes in use are incredibly similar. It is suggested that a six-inch band should be used at every 30 inches to assist workers in identifying the content of each pipe.

Color coding is very helpful for employees to identify the contents of pipes easily as well as the hazards they contain. With a comprehensive color code, employees are provided with in-depth information about the danger involved in the content of each pipe. This prepares them for work especially when they, unavoidably, have to work on the pipe. Color coding helps workers to move from one facility to another without having to master a new pipe marking system.

Benefits of Color Coding Water Lines

The underlying objective of color coding is to separate and organize for the prevention of confusion and avoidance of hazards. This is a basic standard to prevent disaster. Other benefits of color coding include the following:


Effective communication is essential in any workplace. Also, it is essential that workers are provided with adequate and vital information about their day-to-day operations to help them stay safe. In this regard, information regarding the pipes and their respective colors should be made available in an easy-to-read and consistent manner. Also, color coding should be used for easy and quick identification of contents. Lastly, color coding should complement the company’s chemical hazard communication program.


In any water treatment facilities, workers are usually required to carry out regular maintenance to ensure efficiency at the highest level. To assist workers in carrying out their tasks effectively, color coding should be implemented and communicated to the workers. As a result, workers can move from one task to another without referring to charts, binders, or labels. This enables workers to complete tasks faster and reduce time spent.

Poly B Replacement- A Better Approach in Implementing Color Coding

Most people do not care about the kind of pipe used in their home as long as it is working correctly. Also, to carry out color coding effectively, companies may need to change their existing poly B piping.

What is Poly B Piping?

Poly B is also known as Polybutylene. Poly B is the gray plastic pipe most commonly used as a water line used to supply water to homes. This type of pipe is unarguably cheaper than the copper pipes but believed to be great material. Over time, Poly B piping was noticed to be leaking behind drywall, which resulted in big issues such as water damage and mold.

If you have had to repair the plumbing in your home, the plumbing contractor may have carried out a poly B replacement to your poly B piping. You would be amazed to learn that some insurance companies will not insure your home if it had poly B piping in it.

Read: Poly B Piping Lawsuits and Insurance, and What is Poly B Piping?.

One of the downsides of poly B piping is that the pipe may seem to in a perfect condition judging from its outward appearance. However, it may have deteriorated inside and been waiting to rupture anytime without giving any warning signs.

Another problem with poly B piping is its fittings. These fittings are made of plastic. They are vulnerable to cracking and leaking over time. Sometimes, either the pipes are installed incorrectly, or the fittings are too tight causing small cracks and eventual leakage.

Having a plumbing leak? Contact our Emergency Plumbers.

More on Poly B Piping and Replacement

Besides, Poly B piping also has water pressure issue. If you experience high water pressure in your area, already weakened joints of poly B pipes can rupture anytime. The most significant downside making poly B replacement inevitable is its failure to handle chemicals and hot water effectively. Poly B pipes begin to breakdown quickly when used near high heat areas like a hot water tank.

Read: Buying a Home with Poly B Piping

Although the life expectancy of Poly B pipes before they start to leak is about 10 to 15 years after installation. Poly B piping is no longer approved for new plumbing installations. Still have existing poly B piping in your home or company? You’ll need to replace them sooner than later. In the same vein, companies that still have poly B pipes are advised to start poly B replacement as soon as possible and also as a part of a color coding process.

Read: Poly B to PEX Piping, Making the Switch

Since the primary purpose of color coding is to separate and organize different pipes carrying diverse content, using poly B piping will not achieve this objective since they cannot adequately handle chemicals and hot water. Consequently, poly B replacement is a prerequisite to implementing color coding. Start with poly B replacement if your facilities have poly B piping installed. Safety and efficiency are the underlying objectives of color coding, but these cannot be achieved with poly B piping.

Urban Piping Poly B Replacement Offices…

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