What is Polybutylene (Poly-B) Plumbing?  

Poly-B is a gray plastic pipe used as a water supply line in your home. It was used extensively from the early 1970's through to the early 1990's. Believed to be an excellent material, it was also much less expensive than copper.  This type of pipe was installed extensively in the early 1970’s until the early 1990’s. In the mid-80's, leaks were starting to be detected in homes with Poly-B plumbing. Leaks often occurred behind drywall and were not discovered until major water damage and mold had occurred. It is believed that approximately 700,000 homes were built in Canada with Poly-B plumbing. 

So you ask – how do I know if my home was built using Poly-B plumbing? Your home inspector will check for gray plastic pipes wherever there is visible plumbing. The inspector will look in areas under sinks and at your water meter and hot water tank connections. One of the biggest issues with Polybutylene plumbing is that the pipes look good from the outside. However, it may be degrading on the inside and could burst at any time. There is no way to tell. 

The original ssue with Poly-B plumbing was believed to be the fittings connecting pipes to one another. There were often made of plastic which deteriorated and leaked over time. Sometimes, the pipes were badly installed, or the fittings too tight which caused tiny fissures creating small leaks. Water pressure could also cause problems. Areas with high water pressure could experience ruptures in previously weakened joints. Copper fittings began to replace plastic ones, but the leakage issues did not dissipate. It was discovered that Poly-B pipes don't deal well with hot water or chemicals well and as such begin to disintegrate quickly. Polybutylene pipes should never be used in, or close to, hot areas, such as your hot water tank. 

What do I do when something goes wrong? 

From the outside, it is hard to tell what the condition of Poly-B piping is. As home inspectors, we look for noticeable repairs and incorrect installation. Unfortunately damage in this type of plumbing starts inside which is unable to be seen. 

Inter NACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) recommends replacing Poly-B pipes with different piping, usually copper or PEX as there is typically little or no warning before leakage occurs. In addition to difficulties obtaining home insurance, the presence of Poly-B piping in a home, may deter buyers from purchasing it. While there are things that you can do to help prolong the life of this type of piping, most home inspectors recommend replacing the complete system. 

How can I do to maintain my Poly-B plumbing? 

If your home has Poly-B plumbing, replacement is virtually unavoidable. However, it might be possible to prolong its life by doing the following: 

1. Change plastic fittings: Use of plastic fittings was less common in Canada than the United States, but if your Poly-B fittings are plastic, look into having a plumber replace them with copper or brass ones.  

1. Don't over-crimp: Metal bands are used to hold pipes in place. Hairline fractures causing leaks can result from bands that are crimped too tightly. 

1. Lessen the chlorine: If you live in an area of Canada that has high levels of chlorine, consider using a filter to remove chlorine from your home. Place the filter where the water enters your home to prevent it from running through your pipes. 

1. Lower your water temperature: Overly hot water will result in faster deterioration of Poly-B popes. BC Hydro recommends a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Celsius. Anything lower than this may allow bacteria to grow in your hot water tank. 

1. Lower your water pressure: Most home inspectors recommend that water pressure be kept between 40 and 60 psi. In addition to causing ruptures in pipes, high water pressure can damage your home's fixtures. Pressure-reducing valves can be used to keep the water pressure in your house at levels that will create less stress, and wear-and-tear, on your pipes and fittings. 

How long will my Poly-B plumbing last? 

Poly-B piping is often reported as starting to link approximately 10 to 15 years after installation. Your home inspector will recommend replacing it with more durable copper plumbing. Polybutylene is no longer approved for installation under the National Plumbing Code and any new builds will not have Poly-B plumbing in them. While replacing the plumbing system in your home is expense, it does affect the resale value of your home and may provide peace of mind, knowing that a more reliable plumbing system is less likely to result in burst pipes damaging your home and your treasured possessions.  

What do I need to tell my home insurance company? 

If your home was built between the early 1970's and early 1990's, your insurance company will want to know what type of plumbing is in your home. They are likely to want to know this information regardless of when your home was built. Insurance companies are reluctant to provide coverage on homes with Poly-B plumbing as losses from ruptures can be massive. It is possible that you will not be able to obtain insurance at all for a home with Poly-B or that your premiums and water damage deductible will be much higher. 

If you experience water loss as a result of Poly-B plumbing bursting or leaking, it is likely that you will have a substantially increased premium and/or deductible upon renewal. It is even possible that you might not be offered a renewal by your current insurer.  

When purchasing a new home, make sure you know what type of plumbing has been installed. This is where we come in. A licensed home inspector will be able to give you that information as well as the peace of mind that the plumbing is of good quality and in good condition. Knowing what type of plumbing is in the house will make purchasing decisions and shopping for insurance easier.  

If your home has Poly-B piping, please discuss it with one of our Lower Mainland based, licensed home inspectors, and we will do our best to advise you. Poly-B plumbing will be flexible, gray and made of plastic and should have the code 'PB2110' stamped on it. Remember to look for it in areas where plumbing is exposed in your home. 

The temps are starting to drop; the smell of wood smoke is in the air. When temps are more chilly than warm, that's when veteran homeowners know it's time to do these six things if they want to avoid grief or over spending:

1. Buy appliances - Manufacturers bring out their latest models during the fall, and store owners offer big sales on appliances they want to move out - like last year's most popular dishwasher. So, the fall months are a great time to buy.

2. Switch the direction of ceiling fans - Most have a switch to allow the ceiling fan blades to rotate either clockwise or counter clockwise - one way pushes air down to create a nice breeze and the other sucks air up, helping to distribute the heat.

3. Clean windows - Clean off all the bugs, dust, and grime from your windows while the weather is still warm enough to do so.

4. Schedule a heating unit check-up - To ensure your family will be able to feel their toes all winter, schedule a service for your heating unit. As temperatures drop, service companies get busier.
 
5. Get a chimney sweep to inspect the fireplace - A professional chimney sweep will ensure your wood-burning fireplace burns more efficiently and will help prevent chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter.

6. Insulate exposed pipes - The most at-risk pipes are often those in unheated areas such as attics, crawl spaces, and garages.

Source: Stacy Free

Thinking about replacing your floors? Especially if you have carpet, the choice seems clear: Hardwood floors are preferred by home buyers and renters across the country. But consider carefully whether hardwood floors are the right choice for every room in your home—and what type you might want to install for the best resale value.

As you weigh investing in your floors, you’ll need to evaluate your budget, the preferences and traditions in your community and your own personal taste. Some people only want to step on soft carpet, while others prefer hard surfaces. In some warm climates, ceramic tile flooring rivals hardwood in popularity. In more traditional markets, tastes still lean toward oak floors, but some owners of more contemporary homes are choosing to stain their wood floors in different colors. Other trends in hardwood include wider planks, the use of reclaimed wood or hand-scraped wood that looks antique and exotic species of wood such as hickory or walnut.

Homeowners on a tight budget also may want to look into laminate flooring, which offers the look of wood at a lower price point. Keep in mind that people with allergies typically want a hard surface that won’t hold dust. You should also think about the care and maintenance required for your floor surface since you’ll need to take care of it for years. Hardwood flooring lasts longer than carpet, can be easier to keep clean and can be refinished. In the end, though, the decision about whether to install hardwood or carpeting in a bedroom should be based on your personal preference, at least if you intend to stay in the home for years.

Hardwood Flooring: It's What Buyers Want

According to HGTV, the top request of home buyers and renters when looking for a home is hardwood flooring. In fact, a study of homebuyer preferences using data from the National Association of REALTORS® found that 54% of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring.

Installing hardwood flooring can cost between $9 and $12 per square foot, compared with about $3 to $5 per square foot for carpet—so some homeowners opt to install hardwood only in some rooms rather than throughout their home. However, carpet typically needs to be replaced if it becomes stained or worn out. Good quality carpet can last about 10 to 15 years, while hardwood can last forever. The return on investment for installing hardwood will vary according to your market and other factors, but hardwood flooring can often help your home sell faster.

Reasons to Install Carpet

While many buyers and homeowners prefer hardwood flooring throughout their home, some people prefer carpet in the bedrooms—because they like a softer surface. When you live in a two or three-story home, carpet also helps reduce noise. If you would still prefer hardwood floors throughout your home, you could use put area rugs in your bedroom. 

Homeowners risk coughing up big bucks if they're also smokers, a survey of Ontario real estate agents and brokers suggests. The survey suggested that smoking in the home can reduce the value of a resale property by up to 29 per cent.

The study was sponsored by Pfizer Canada, a pharmaceutical company. It estimates a potential loss of up to $107,000 on a home in Ontario, where the average price is currently around $369,000. The study showed that an overwhelming majority of 401 real estate agents and brokers surveyed agreed that it is more difficult to sell a home where owners have smoked.

1/4 unwilling to buy a smoker's home

More than half of respondents — 56 per cent — said most buyers are less likely to purchase a home where people have smoked, and 27 per cent said most buyers are actually unwilling to buy a home where people have smoked.

In Canada, an estimated 15 per cent of homes have at least one regular smoker. The study found that almost half, or 44 per cent of respondents, said smoking in the home affects resale value. Of these, one in three said smoking in the home may lower the value by 10 to 19 per cent and a further one in three said it may lower the value by 20 to 29 per cent.

"Smoking has a profound impact on how appealing a home is to a prospective buyer," said David Visentin, a real estate agent and co-host of the W Network's Love it or List program. "It stains walls and carpets, and leaves a smell that can be hard to eliminate. Many prospective buyers are really put off by homes that have been smoked in and they can be very challenging to sell."

Do people feel any different in British Columbia? Probably not..

While we all use energy differently, in general, energy is mostly used for heating and cooling the home, with hot water coming in second.

Good energy habits help you save money and the way we use energy plays a big role in how much we’re paying for it. For example, if you leave the hot water running constantly while you’re shaving, you’re using a lot of hot water just to rinse the razor a few times.

Simple choices we make every day can go a long way to help us manage our energy use, cut costs and protect the environment around the year. Here are a few tips to help you conserve energy in your home.

1- Choose off-peak hours
Take advantage of lower energy prices during off-peak hours. Consider running your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are lowest.

2- Use the dishwasher and washer wisely
Try to cut down on power by air drying instead of using the heater. Try washing your clothes in cold water to save hot water costs.

3- Use a programmable thermostat to reduce energy use.
Install a programmable thermostat to automate your heating and cooling. It makes it easier to reduce your energy use when you’re not home and when you’re sleeping.

4- Use your appliances properly
Did you know that an uncrowded fridge works more efficiently than a crowded one? However, a freezer works best when they are two-thirds full. When you’re using the dishwasher wait to do a full load. A half-empty dishwasher uses the same amount of energy as a full one.

5- Consider caulking and weather stripping
Plugging up air leaks is relatively inexpensive and delivers a great return summer and winter. Look for cracks around windows and doorframes. Also check the sill plate, where your home’s foundation meets the frame. It could be a big source of air leaks.

6- Find your top 10 locations for compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs
It pays to replace your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with CFLs. They use 75% less power and last up to 10 times as long.

7- Buy ENERGY STAR® Appliances
Save energy and fight climate change with ENERGY STAR qualified products. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. According to ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. Switching to these appliances is not only good for the environment, but is easy on your pocketbook. Although these appliances may cost more, you can reduce your energy bill by approximately $80 per year.

The age, condition and efficiency of your appliances plays a big role in how much energy you use, so it’s important to keep them in good working order, and at some point, consider upgrading to the most energy-efficient models.