5 Signs Your Calgary Home Needs Repiping

Short answer: The five signs that point to a repipe rather than another repair are grey Poly-B pipe, discoloured or metallic-tasting water, water pressure that keeps dropping, repeated pinhole leaks, and fittings that weep. One of them is a reason to look. Two or more usually means the pipe itself is the problem.

Most homes do not need a full repipe. But patching the same system again and again costs more over time than replacing it once, and a leak behind a finished wall costs more than both.

Diagram of five signs you may need a repipe: grey Poly-B pipe, discoloured or metallic-tasting water, dropping pressure, repeated pinhole leaks and weeping fittings. — The five signs: grey Poly-B pipe, discoloured or metallic-tasting water, pressure that keeps dropping, repeated pinhole leaks, and fittings that weep.

The five signs, and what each one means

Sign	What it usually means	Next step
1. Grey Poly-B pipe	An aging pipe that can fail without warning, and an insurance issue	Plan replacement. How to confirm it
2. Discoloured or metallic-tasting water	Corrosion in older metal pipe, or an aging water heater	Check whether it is hot only (the heater) or hot and cold (the pipe)
3. Pressure that keeps dropping	Scale and corrosion narrowing old pipe from the inside	Rule out a closed valve or a pressure regulator first
4. Repeated pinhole leaks	The pipe is wearing through in more than one place	A third leak in the same system is the pipe telling you something
5. Fittings that weep	Poly-B crimp fittings are often the first thing to fail	Look at the water heater, under sinks and in the basement ceiling

1. You have grey Poly-B pipe

On its own, this is the biggest one. Poly-B was common in Calgary homes built from the late 1970s to the late 1990s. It gets brittle with age, and many Alberta insurers now charge more for it or decline it. Here is how it affects your insurance.

2. Discoloured or metallic-tasting water

Brown, orange or rusty water, or a metallic taste, often points to corrosion. Run the cold water and the hot water separately. If only the hot is discoloured, the water heater is the more likely cause. Here is how to decide whether to repair or replace it. If both are, the pipes are.

3. Pressure that keeps dropping

Scale and corrosion narrow old pipe over time, and it usually gets worse, not better. Before blaming the pipe, rule out the simple causes: a partly closed main valve, a failing pressure-reducing valve or clogged aerators. Our low water pressure guide walks through them.

4. Repeated pinhole leaks

One leak is a repair. A second and a third in the same system means the pipe is wearing through in more than one place, and the next one may be behind a wall you just finished.

5. Fittings that weep

Poly-B crimp fittings are often the first thing to fail, quietly. Look for white or green crust, drips or water stains at fittings near the water heater, under sinks and along an unfinished basement ceiling.

Repair or repipe?

If two or more of these sound familiar, a quick assessment tells you whether you are looking at a repair or a repipe, and we will say so honestly either way. If it is Poly-B, most whole-home replacements in Calgary land between $8,000 and $15,000. Here is what moves the number.

Common questions

How long do water pipes last?

It depends on the material. Copper and PEX can last for decades. Poly-B is the one Alberta insurers and plumbers recommend replacing regardless of how it looks, because it can fail without warning.

Can I repipe one section at a time?

Sometimes, but it often costs more overall, and insurers usually want the whole house clear of Poly-B. A full repipe is usually the cleaner answer.

Do I have to move out for a repipe?

Usually not. Most homes are repiped in a few days with the water back on most evenings, then drywall and paint follow.