Poly B Pipe Inspection in Coquitlam — Know What You Have

What We Look at During an Inspection

A thorough Poly B inspection covers every accessible area of the plumbing system. We start in the mechanical room — the water meter, pressure-reducing valve, main supply line, and hot water tank connections are all visible there and tell us immediately whether Poly B is present in the home.

From there we move through the crawl space (if applicable), basement, and utility areas. We check under sinks, look at exposed runs in utility rooms and garages, and examine any accessible pipe in unfinished areas. In finished homes where the majority of piping is in walls, we use what's accessible to determine pipe type and assess condition at visible sections, joints, and fittings.

We also check fittings specifically. Poly B fitting failures are often the first sign of degradation — discolouration, weeping, mineral deposits around crimp rings, or visible cracks at elbow joints. Any of these findings go into the inspection report.

• Mechanical room: meter, PRV, main supply, HWT connections
• Crawl space and basement: all accessible runs
• Under-sink supply lines in kitchens and bathrooms
• Fitting and elbow condition at all accessible joints
• Degradation scoring: good / moderate / advanced / urgent

The Inspection Report

Every inspection produces a written report with photos. The report identifies pipe type confirmed, percentage of home estimated to contain Poly B, condition assessment at inspected sections, and a recommended action plan with priority level (monitor / plan for replacement / immediate action recommended).

This report is useful for your own decision-making, but it's also often exactly what an insurance broker or insurer needs to understand the scope of the issue. If you're in a conversation with your insurer about Poly B, having a professional written inspection report in hand is much stronger than a verbal description.

Pre-Sale Inspections

If you're preparing to list your Coquitlam home and you're not sure about the plumbing, a Poly B inspection before listing is worth doing. Buyers and their inspectors will find Poly B if it's there. Being proactive — either with a plan to replace before listing, a price adjustment, or simply a disclosure with an inspection report — puts you in a much stronger negotiating position than a buyer's inspector discovering it mid-deal.