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The Repiping Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Ysabel Mano on . Posted in Bathroom Renovation, burst pipes, Renovations, Repiping.

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  • Poly-B lawsuits in Canada have highlighted the risks of this outdated material.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.
Contact Us for a free estimate

When Pipes Burst: What you need to know

Written by Ysabel Mano on . Posted in burst pipes.

Winter is coming, and every homeowner knows the drips of disaster when pipes burst. Avoid the stress of damage and expenses by knowing what to do if pipes burst, how to prevent pipes from bursting, and how to fix them.

Your Water Pipes Burst? Here are your steps to take

Imagine: You hear a loud noise from the basement then come downstairs to see water pouring out of your pipes and flooding everywhere. It looks like a burst pipe, but what do you do?

  • Step 1: Stay calm.
  • Step 2: Turn off the main water and power supply. It is dangerous to have electricity and water interact with each other.
  • Step 3: Locate the damage and try to contain the leak using buckets to collect any additional dripping water.
  • Step 4: Call John G Plumbing for advice on the next steps and for a professional eye to determine if other pipes are at risk of breaking.
  • Step 5: Prevent mold and mildew growth. Clean up, open the windows or turn on fans to improve airflow.

Don’t forget the hassle of dealing with insurance claims. Take pictures and document the damage. Dealing with pipes bursting is enough to give you nightmares. However, professionals at John G are here to help get your home back in working order.

Frozen Pipes! How to prevent burst pipes

Have you ever wondered why pipes burst in winter more often than in the summer? Frozen Pipes! Below-freezing temperatures freeze water in the pipes, making it expand. Other reasons include old age, high water pressure, clogs, earthquakes, improper installations and corrosion.

Picture of a pipe

Hence, prevention is key! John G. Plumbing has some quick tips to help you prevent a disaster from happening.

  1. Insulate pipes in unheated or exposed areas, such as crawl spaces, attics, and exterior walls. Use pipe insulation sleeves or wrapping material designed for this purpose.
  2. Set your thermostat to a temperature that will prevent frozen pipes even when outside temperatures drop below freezing.
  3. Inspect your home for any gaps or cracks that could allow cold air to enter near pipes. Seal these openings with caulk or insulation to prevent cold air from reaching the pipes and causing them to freeze.
  4. Before winter arrives, disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Drain the water from the hoses and store them in a sheltered location. Shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets, if possible, and drain any remaining water from the pipes to prevent freezing.
  5. During extremely cold weather, allow faucets connected to vulnerable pipes (such as those running along exterior walls) to drip slightly. This helps relieve pressure within the pipes, reducing the likelihood of freezing.

A cracked pipe isn’t always obvious

Smaller pipes in the home can burst and take a little longer to identify as they don’t carry the high water pressure of a main water line. These leaks can often go unnoticed for weeks, or even months, depending on where they are located.

Here are some signs that smaller pipes may have already burst in your home:

  • Random puddles of water in your home.
  • A higher-than-usual water bill, despite no increase in usage.
  • Yellowish stains or spots on walls and ceilings.
  • Noticeably reduced water pressure.

Repairing Pipes- is fixing an option?

Fixing burst pipes is best left to a professional plumber, but you can make emergency repairs if applicable. Repair sleeves can temporarily reinforce the pipe to be able to run water through it. You can also patch it with a piece of rubber, place a wood block over it or use a clamp and clamp it all together. These are all temporary fixes if you are unable to have a plumber arrive immediately to check things out.

Temporary solutions can initiate further damage if not treated properly. It is best to call our licensed plumbers at John G. Plumbing for a reliable inspection, repair, and replacement if necessary.

Don’t Let a Burst Pipe Ruin Your Day!

Think you might have a hidden leak in your home? Don’t wait until it becomes costly! Keep an eye out for these signs, and if a disaster happens, contact John G. Plumbing for repair.