If you are a homeowner in the Ottawa area, including Barrhaven or Centrepointe, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of the plumbing pipes in your home, namely Polybutylene and galvanized pipes. These types of pipes were standard in homes built during the 60s-90s (Poly B) and early 20th century (galvanized) but they are no longer used due to their high potential for leaks and limited insurance coverage, if any, for homes where they are used.
Learn more about the problems that Polybutylene and galvanized pipes can create, and what homeowners can do to reduce the issues with them in their homes by reading below or reaching out to our Ottawa plumbing experts at Out of This World!
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Polybutylene pipes (Poly-b for short) were widely used for water supply lines in the plumbing industry during the 80s and 90s. However, after word had spread and examples of home damage resulting from leaks surfaced, the use of polybutylene pipes was slowed until production ceased altogether in the late 90s and was removed from the Plumbing Code of Canada in 2005.
The main issues that arose from using Poly-b in homes was its proneness to become brittle and burst, and it’s inefficiency handling freezing temperatures, chlorine, and other chemicals. The most common problem is age, and can lead to massive water damage in your home.
The standard life expectancy of polybutylene pipes is around 10-15 years, although many homeowners find their Poly-b lasts up to 30 years, though at this age, leaks are almost guaranteed as it has far outlived its lifespan.
Galvanized pipes are made of zinc-coated steel and were most commonly used in the 60s and have an average lifespan of 40-50 years. The main issue with galvanized pipes in Ottawa (or anywhere with them installed) is that continuous exposure to water will inevitably corrode the inside of the pipes, and causing issues with the pipe with leaking.
If your home has galvanized pipes, you may find that insurance is harder to come by or is pricier than a home with PEX piping.
Book Online Book OnlineIt’s of great importance to know what pipes you have in your home:
You can find both types near water heaters, under sinks, behind toilets, and prominently in ceilings and walls of a mechanical or utility room.
It’s rare to only have a portion of your home supplied with poly-b or galvanized, so it’s very likely that if you see a few feet of it, your home is probably full of it.
The best course of action is to call a professional and licensed Ottawa plumber to replace them with PEX piping.
Finding out that your home is chock-full of pipes waiting to break can be a daunting reality, but luckily there is a simple solution!
Hiring a professional plumber who understands the nature of polybutylene and galvanized pipes will provide you with a seamless transition from these tricky pipes to easy-to-use, easy-to-install PEX piping.
Not only does it protect your home from unwanted leaks and severe water damage, but it also gives you a better chance of insuring your home in case of an emergency.
Our team of skilled, friendly plumbing professionals would love to assist you with exchanging your older pipes for newer, more efficient piping! Call us today to discuss options and book a consultation!
Delivering ‘out of this world’ service means more than simply fixing your problem. It means that your home, time, family, and pets are respected. If we fail to deliver this level of service, and you are not 100% satisfied with your service, we will refund up to 100% of your invoice.
