Repiping Services Across the Lower Mainland

What is Repiping?

Repiping is the full replacement of a home's water supply pipes, the hot and cold lines that deliver water to every tap, shower, and appliance in your home. It's not a patch job or a quick fix. It's a complete overhaul that solves the root problem rather than chasing individual leaks one by one.

It's worth noting that your home has two separate plumbing systems: the water supply system (hot and cold running water) and the drainage system. Repiping addresses the supply side. If you're also dealing with drain issues, we can handle that too, but they're separate scopes of work.

Do You Have Poly-B Pipe? You're Not Alone

If your home was built anywhere between 1978 and 1995, there's a good chance it was plumbed with polybutylene pipe, commonly known as Poly-B. At the time, it was considered a cost-effective alternative to copper. Decades later, it's one of the most common reasons homeowners across Metro Vancouver call us for a repipe.

Poly-B degrades over time, particularly when it comes into contact with chlorinated water, which is standard in the Lower Mainland's municipal water supply. The pipe becomes brittle, develops micro-cracks, and eventually fails. The trouble is, it often fails inside walls or under flooring, where the damage can go undetected until it's significant.

Signs your Poly-B may be failing:

• Recurring leaks with no obvious cause
• Discoloured or cloudy water
• Reduced water pressure throughout the home
• A home inspection report flagging the pipe material
• Difficulty obtaining or renewing home insurance

If you know or suspect your home has Poly-B, we recommend calling us for an assessment. Poly B replacement is one of the most common jobs we complete across the Lower Mainland, and for good reason, it's the most practical and cost-effective way to protect your home long-term, and it adds real value if you ever decide to sell.

Poly-B is the most common scenario we see, but it's not the only one. Here are other situations where repiping makes sense:

Aging copper or galvanized steel pipes. Homes built before the 1970s may have galvanized steel supply pipes that have corroded from the inside out, restricting flow and leaching sediment into the water. Older copper installations can also develop pinhole leaks as the pipe thins over decades.

Persistent leaks across the system. If you're calling a plumber every few months for another leak, the repairs are almost certainly costing you more than a repipe would. At some point, the system is simply failing, and patching it is just delaying the inevitable.

Pre-sale or pre-purchase. A repipe before listing your home removes a major red flag for buyers and their inspectors. On the buying side, if you're purchasing a home with aging or problematic plumbing, it's worth factoring a repipe into your planning from the start.

Major renovation. If you're gutting a bathroom, renovating a kitchen, or doing significant work that opens up walls anyway, it's often the right time to repipe simultaneously. The access is already there, which reduces labour and disruption considerably.

When it comes to new pipe material, there are two primary options: copper and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). Both are excellent, code-approved materials, but they suit different situations, budgets, and homeowner preferences.

Rather than telling you which one to choose on a webpage, we prefer to have that conversation with you directly. The right answer depends on your home's layout, your water quality, your budget, and your long-term plans for the property. When you call us for an estimate, we'll walk you through both options clearly so you can make an informed decision, without pressure.

Replumbing with PEX: Why It's Become the Smart Choice for Lower Mainland Homes

If you've been researching your repiping options, you've probably come across PEX, and you may be wondering whether it's the right choice for your home. The short answer is that replumbing with PEX has become the most popular repiping solution across the Lower Mainland for very good reasons, and for most homeowners it represents the best balance of performance, longevity, and value.

PEX; cross-linked polyethylene, is a flexible plastic pipe material that has been used in residential plumbing systems for over three decades. It is fully approved under the BC Plumbing Code and accepted by insurers as a high-quality replacement for Poly-B, galvanized steel, and aging copper pipe. When installed by a licensed plumber, a PEX system is expected to last 50 years or more under normal operating conditions.

Why Homeowners Are Choosing PEX

It causes less disruption to your home. Because PEX is flexible, it can be routed through wall cavities, around corners, and along structural members without the number of fittings and access points that rigid copper pipe requires. In practical terms, this means fewer holes in your walls and ceilings, and a cleaner, faster installation.

It handles our climate well. PEX has a degree of flexibility that allows it to expand slightly under pressure without cracking, an advantage in exposed or unheated spaces where temperature fluctuations occur. For Lower Mainland homes with pipes running through crawl spaces or exterior walls, this is a meaningful performance benefit.

It eliminates the flux corrosion risk. Copper pipe is joined with soldered connections using flux, a chemical agent that, if not fully cleaned after installation, can contribute to corrosion at the joint over time. PEX uses mechanical connections, crimp, clamp, or expansion fittings depending on the specification, which removes this variable entirely.

It costs less than copper. PEX material is less expensive than copper, and the installation is faster due to the mechanical connection system and the ease of routing flexible pipe. For a whole house replumb, the cost difference between PEX and copper can be significant, money that stays in your pocket without any compromise in quality or longevity.

It's insurance-friendly. PEX is widely accepted by BC insurers as a premium replacement material. Homeowners who replace Poly-B with PEX resolve the pipe material as an underwriting concern and typically find their coverage options and premiums improve as a result.

PEX vs. Copper: The Honest Comparison

Both materials are excellent. Both are code-approved in BC. Both will outlast the homes they're installed in if properly fitted. The differences come down to cost, installation method, and personal preference.

Copper costs more, in material and in labour, and requires soldered joints that demand skilled installation time. It is rigid, which simplifies some routing situations and complicates others. Some homeowners, particularly in higher-end properties, have a preference for copper and that is a perfectly valid choice.

PEX costs less, installs faster, and is more forgiving in challenging routing conditions. For the vast majority of Lower Mainland homes, particularly those undergoing Poly-B replacement, it delivers equivalent long-term performance at a lower overall cost.

Our recommendation is always made after seeing your home and understanding your priorities. We don't push one material over the other on principle, we give you the information you need and a clear recommendation based on your specific situation.

What to Expect During a Repipe

A full home repipe is a significant project, but it doesn't have to be a chaotic one. Here's how the process typically unfolds when you work with KC's:

1. Free consultation and estimate.
We start by assessing your home's current plumbing, discussing your options, and giving you a detailed written estimate. There's no obligation, just an honest picture of what's involved and what it will cost.

2. Permits.
In most Lower Mainland municipalities, repiping requires a building permit. We handle this on your behalf, ensuring the work is done to code and passes inspection. This protects you now and when you eventually sell.

3. The work itself.
Our team installs your new pipe network with minimal disruption to your home. Where walls or ceilings need to be opened, we work carefully and patch everything back when we're done, drywall, stucco, whatever the finish requires. We also install emergency shutoff valves throughout, so you have control over your water supply in every area of the home.

4. Timeline.
Most repipes take between two and five days, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of the layout. Homes with a crawl space are generally faster to work in than slab foundations, where more access points need to be opened. You won't be without water for the full duration, water is only off during the changeover from old system to new.

5. Inspection and sign-off.
Once the work is complete, it's inspected by the local building authority. When it passes, and it will, you have a fully documented, permitted repipe that stands behind the value of your home.

6. Our warranty.
KC's Plumbing stands behind every repipe we complete. All of our work comes with a workmanship warranty, and we're always available if you have questions or concerns after the job is done.

Repiping costs vary considerably depending on the size of your home, the pipe material you choose, the type of foundation, and how much access work is required. In the Vancouver and Lower Mainland market, homeowners typically invest somewhere between $6,000 and $25,000 for a full repipe, with most average-sized homes falling somewhere in the middle of that range.

The best thing we can do for you is give you an accurate number for your home specifically. That starts with a free estimate, no cost, no commitment, just a clear and honest assessment.

Call for Free Estimate: 604-873-3753

Why Choose KC's Plumbing for Your Repipe?

KC's Plumbing has been serving homeowners across the Lower Mainland since 1993. In that time, we've completed hundreds of repipes, in everything from compact Vancouver bungalows to large multi-bathroom homes in Maple Ridge and South Surrey.

• Master plumber on every job. Our owner is a licensed master plumber, and all work is carried out to BC code by qualified tradespeople.

• Fully licensed and insured. All licensing requirements for BC plumbing work are in place. You're protected.

• We do the whole job. That includes permits, the plumbing itself, drywall and stucco repair, and final inspection. You don't need to coordinate multiple trades.

• Serving the entire Lower Mainland. From Vancouver to South Surrey, Richmond to Maple Ridge, if you're in Metro Vancouver, we can help.



• Available 24/7 for emergencies. If a failing pipe becomes a crisis before you've had a chance to plan a repipe, call us any time.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to repipe my home in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland?
Yes, in virtually all Lower Mainland municipalities, a building permit is required for a full repipe. KC's obtains this on your behalf as part of the job.

Is Poly-B pipe covered by home insurance in BC?
Many insurers in BC will still provide coverage for homes with Poly-B, but some charge higher premiums or add conditions. Some won't insure at all. If your insurer is flagging your Poly-B, a repipe resolves the issue entirely. It's worth checking with your provider.

How long will my new pipes last?
Both copper and PEX are long-lasting materials. Properly installed copper can last 50 years or more. PEX has a similar expected lifespan under normal conditions. Either way, you're making a long-term investment.

Will I need to leave my home during the repipe?
Not necessarily. Most of the work happens alongside your existing pipes. The only time water is fully shut off is during the final changeover, which is typically managed in a single day. We'll be clear with you about the schedule before we start.

How do I know if I have Poly-B pipe?
Poly-B is typically grey, flexible plastic tubing. It may also be blue or black. If you can see your pipes in the utility room, basement, or crawl space and they're grey and plastic, there's a good chance it's Poly-B. If you're not sure, we can confirm during an assessment.

Do you repair the drywall after a repipe?
Yes. Where we need to open walls or ceilings, we patch and repair the drywall and stucco as part of the job. You won't be left with holes in your walls.

Serving the Lower Mainland Since 1993

KC's Plumbing provides repiping services across Metro Vancouver and the surrounding region, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and South Surrey.

If you're dealing with failing pipes, a Poly-B system, or just want an honest assessment of your home's plumbing, give us a call. We'll tell you what you actually need, and we won't push you toward work that isn't necessary. We are open 24 hours for emergencies

Book a Free Repipe Estimate Today