Strata buildings, townhome complexes, and light commercial properties built during the Poly B era face more complex replacement logistics — but also more acute liability — than single-family homes. A single pipe failure in a multi-unit building can affect multiple units, displace tenants, and trigger third-party claims. Large-scale commercial and strata Poly B replacement requires specific experience in coordinating with strata councils, managing water shutoffs across multiple units, and minimizing disruption to occupied buildings.
Strata-Specific Challenges
In a strata complex, the plumbing is typically shared between common property (main supply risers, common area piping) and unit plumbing (in-suite supply lines from the common riser to each fixture). The strata corporation is responsible for common property; each owner is responsible for their unit. A complete Poly B replacement in a strata context requires coordination between the strata council and individual owners.
We work with strata councils to plan the replacement in phases that minimize common area water shutoffs. Where possible, we schedule unit work sequentially so residents are displaced for the minimum time. We coordinate with strata managers on documentation, communication to owners, and permit requirements at the building level.
- Common property risers and in-suite supply lines both require replacement
- Coordination with strata council on scheduling and owner communication
- Phase scheduling to minimize shutoff duration per block of units
- Single documentation package covering the full complex
- Building permit management where required by the City of Coquitlam
Liability and the Strata Insurance Situation
Strata corporations carry building insurance, and their insurers are facing the same Poly B exposure as individual homeowners — at much larger scale. A strata council that has been notified of Poly B in common property piping and has not acted faces potential liability for any water damage that results from a subsequent failure. Documenting a plan and executing it is the council's best defense.
We provide strata councils with the same completion documentation we give individual homeowners — including a full scope, photos, and completion certificates by phase — structured for easy presentation to the strata insurer.
manages commercial and strata Poly B replacements from initial site walkthrough to final documentation. Contact us to discuss scope and scheduling for your building.
Contact Coquitlam Poly B Replacement today to book your free inspection.
Questions About This Service
Does every unit have to be done at once?
No. We can phase the work by floor, by block, or in whatever sequence makes sense for the building's operations. We'll develop a phasing plan with the strata council before work starts.
Who is responsible for the in-suite portion — the owner or the strata?
This varies by strata bylaws. In many BC stratas, supply lines within the unit walls are owner responsibility. We can work directly with individual unit owners or with the strata council managing the process on behalf of all owners — whichever makes more sense for the building.