Does My Surrey Home Have Poly B? Here's How to Check

If you own a home in Surrey that was built between 1978 and 1995, there's a real chance it has Poly B pipe. Here's how to check yourself, and what to do once you know.

What Is Poly B?

Poly B, or polybutylene, is a grey flexible plastic pipe used as a cheaper alternative to copper from the late 1970s through the mid-1990s. It's usually stamped PB2110 along its length.

In BC it went into homes across Metro Vancouver: Surrey, Burnaby, Langley, Delta, Richmond, Coquitlam, and beyond. If your place was built in that window, Poly B is worth looking for.

Where to Look

1. Water meter and main shut-off. Check where the main line enters the house. Grey flexible plastic (not copper, not white PVC, not galvanized steel) is a strong clue. Look for the PB2110 stamp.
2. Under sinks. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets often show supply lines coming up from the floor. This is one of the easiest places to spot Poly B.
3. Crawl space or utility room. Pipes along floor joists are usually visible. Crawl-space Poly B takes a beating from temperature swings and moisture, so it's often the first place to fail.
4. Hot water tank connections. Grey flexible pipe on the inlet or outlet of your tank is a clear sign.

What Poly B Looks Like

• Medium grey (not white, not black)
• Smooth and slightly flexible, not rigid like copper
• Stamped "PB2110" along the pipe
• Usually ½" or ¾" for supply lines
• Often joined with grey or white acetal fittings and metal crimp rings

Not Sure What You're Looking At?

A proper inspection removes the guesswork. We check every accessible spot, take photos, and give you a written report. It usually takes about an hour.

If You Find Poly B

It doesn't mean a pipe will burst tomorrow. Some Poly B has run for decades. But chlorine in Metro Vancouver water wears it down from the inside, and you can't see that damage from the outside.

Most Surrey homeowners replace it for practical reasons:

• Insurance renewals (more BC insurers are flagging it)
• Pre-listing (buyers' inspectors almost always call it out)
• Peace of mind (you stop waiting for a leak)
• Financing conditions (some lenders flag it on purchase)

Call us if you want a straight answer about what's in your home and what it takes to fix it.