Poly B Replacement in Duncan, BC
Most in-town Duncan homes predate Poly B. Where a 1980s or 90s build or renovation still has it, we repipe with PEX-A on a scheduled visit.
Local plumbing context for Duncan
Inside the City of Duncan and the connected North Cowichan neighbourhoods, homes are on municipal water and sewer, and sewage goes to the Joint Utilities Board treatment lagoons shared by Duncan and North Cowichan.
Where Poly B actually shows up
Duncan's housing is older than the Cowichan Valley average: 30% was built before 1961 and another 32% between 1961 and 1980. Those houses were plumbed before polybutylene was common, usually in copper or galvanized. We find Poly B mainly in 1980s and 1990s builds and in renovations from that window, including some newer North Cowichan streets. Grey plastic pipe with a dull surface, often stamped, is the thing to photograph. Cream CPVC and white PEX are not Poly B.
We confirm the pipe on site before anyone talks about a whole-home repipe. A grey pipe under one bathroom sink can be a repair from the 1990s while the rest of the house is copper. Opening a ceiling to check one run is cheaper than quoting a repipe from a single photo, and we will say so.
The repipe and the permit
When the house is Poly B, we repipe the supply with PEX-A, replace the shutoff valves we have to disturb, and pressure-test before the walls close. Several major BC insurers have asked homeowners for proof that polybutylene is gone. If you have that letter, send it with the appointment request so we can see the deadline. We do not invent a timeline the letter does not state.
The plumbing permit follows the address: City of Duncan, Municipality of North Cowichan, or Cowichan Valley Regional District. We pull it, meet the inspector, and leave you the signed certificate insurers ask for. If the water heater is due at the same time, coordinate it with hot water tank replacement so the new tank is not piped back to polybutylene. More on the visit itself is on the Duncan plumber page.
Other Duncan plumbing pages
- Plumber in Duncan — scheduled Cowichan Valley visits
- Drain cleaning
- Hydro jetting
- Sewer line repair
- Water main repair
- Hot water tank replacement
- Perimeter drains
- Poly B replacement
- Emergency plumbing
No. Most in-town homes are older than the Poly B years. We find it in 1980s and 1990s builds and renovations, and we confirm the pipe before recommending a repipe.
PEX-A supply piping, pressure-tested, with the permit for the jurisdiction the house is in.
Yes. Duncan is about 60 km from our Victoria base. Call (778) 265-6446 and we will tell you whether a scheduled visit is the right fit.
Poly B Replacement in Duncan
We confirm the pipe on site. Most in-town houses predate Poly B.
Call (778) 265-6446