From aging Poly-B piping in 1980s Surrey subdivisions to corroded galvanized steel in pre-war Vancouver homes, thousands of Lower Mainland properties are running on plumbing systems that are past their service life.
Recurring leaks, rusty water, dropping pressure, and rising insurance premiums are all signs that your home may need repiping. Gator Plumbing & Drainage provides complete whole-house and partial repiping services across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley – replacing outdated, failing pipe systems with modern PEX or copper that meets current BC Building Code standards. Our Red Seal certified plumbers handle everything from initial assessment and permit coordination to pipe installation, pressure testing, and drywall restoration. Transparent flat-rate pricing, minimal disruption, and a workmanship warranty on every job.
✅ Licensed & Insured Plumbers ✅ Same-Day Emergency Service ✅ Upfront, Transparent Pricing
Whether your home needs a targeted section replaced or a complete whole-house repipe, Gator Plumbing provides expert repiping services designed for Lower Mainland homes. We assess your existing pipe material, condition, and layout, then recommend the most cost-effective approach – always with transparent pricing before work begins.
A whole-house repipe replaces every water supply line in your home – from the main water entry point to every fixture including sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, dishwashers, washing machines, and outdoor hose bibs. This is recommended when your home has widespread Poly-B piping, galvanized steel throughout, or a history of recurring leaks across multiple locations. Our crews work systematically room by room, minimizing disruption while ensuring every connection is pressure-tested and code-compliant.
When only a section of your plumbing system is failing – such as a single bathroom, kitchen supply lines, or a specific floor – a partial repipe can address the problem without the cost of a full replacement. Partial repiping is ideal for homes where some sections have already been updated but others retain original Poly-B or galvanized pipe. Our camera inspection identifies exactly which sections need replacement, so you only pay for what is necessary.
Poly-B (polybutylene) piping was installed in hundreds of thousands of BC homes between 1978 and 1997. This grey, flexible plastic deteriorates from chlorinated water exposure and can burst without warning. The National Plumbing Code removed Poly-B from acceptable materials in 2005. Many BC insurers now charge higher premiums ($10,000–$20,000 deductibles) or decline coverage entirely for homes with known Poly-B systems. Gator Plumbing specializes in complete Poly-B replacement with modern PEX or copper.
Homes built before the 1970s across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and older Tri-Cities neighbourhoods often contain galvanized steel water lines. Over decades, galvanized pipe corrodes internally – rust and mineral deposits narrow the bore, progressively reducing water pressure and contaminating tap water with rust particles and sediment. Unlike Poly-B which can fail suddenly, galvanized fails gradually. If your water runs brown for the first few seconds after turning on a tap, or if pressure has been declining over years, galvanized replacement is likely needed.
Some homeowners with existing copper plumbing choose to upgrade specific sections to PEX during renovations or when copper sections develop pinhole leaks from aggressive water chemistry. PEX is freeze-resistant (a significant advantage in Metro Vancouver’s cold snaps), requires fewer fittings, and installs faster than copper. We also perform the reverse – replacing PEX or CPVC sections with copper where homeowners prefer the longevity and resale perception of copper pipe.
In addition to water supply lines, we replace aging cast iron, clay, and ABS drain lines. Older homes may have cast iron stacks and drain arms that corrode, crack, and allow sewer gas to escape. We replace these with modern ABS or PVC drain pipe, ensuring proper slope, venting, and code compliance. Drain line repiping is often combined with supply line replacement during major renovations for maximum efficiency.x
We provide expert installation and repair for top industry brands to ensure lasting performance and customer satisfaction.
Every Gator Plumbing technician holds a Red Seal certification – the highest trade standard in Canada. We are fully licensed, insured, bonded, and WorkSafe BC compliant. All repiping work meets BC Building Code requirements.
We install both PEX and copper, recommending the right material based on your home’s needs, budget, and long-term goals. We are not a one-material company – we provide honest advice on which pipe delivers the best value for your specific situation.
We handle all municipal permits, BC One Call locate requests, and inspection scheduling. You never have to deal with city paperwork.
Our quotes include drywall cutting, pipe access, patching, and basic finishing. No surprise charges for wall access.
Water is restored each evening. Most repipes complete in 2–5 days. You do not need to vacate your home during the project.
Most residential repipes are completed in 2 to 5 days. Smaller homes or partial repipes may take 1 to 2 days. Larger or multi-storey homes with complex layouts can take up to 7 days. Water is typically shut off during daytime work hours and restored each evening. You can remain in your home during the entire process.
PEX is a flexible, cross-linked polyethylene pipe that costs less, installs faster, requires fewer fittings, and is freeze-resistant. It has a lifespan of 30 to 50 years. Copper is a rigid metal pipe with a lifespan of 50 to 100+ years, offers the highest resale perception, and has a long track record. Copper costs more and requires soldering. Our plumber will recommend the best material based on your home, budget, and long-term goals.
Yes. Repiping in BC requires a municipal plumbing permit. Inspections include a rough-in inspection with exposed pipe, a pressure test, and a final inspection after completion. Permit fees range from $150 to $600 depending on municipality. Gator Plumbing handles all permit applications and inspection scheduling on your behalf.
Signs that your home may need repiping include recurring leaks in multiple locations, discoloured or rusty water from taps, noticeably low water pressure at multiple fixtures, visible corrosion or mineral deposits on exposed pipes, your home was built between 1978 and 1997 with Poly-B piping, your home has original galvanized steel plumbing, your insurance company has flagged your pipe material, or a home inspection has identified failing pipes.
Most standard homeowner insurance policies in BC do not cover repiping caused by normal wear, aging, or corrosion. However, proactive repiping prevents catastrophic pipe failure that would cause water damage. Some BC insurers offer reduced premiums after Poly-B or galvanized replacement. The cost of repiping is typically far less than the cost of uninsured water damage from a pipe burst.
Repiping requires access to pipes behind walls, which means cutting small sections of drywall. Our quotes include drywall cutting, pipe access, patching, and basic finishing. We work to minimize the number of access points needed and clean up thoroughly after completion. Some homeowners choose to combine repiping with a renovation to reduce overall disruption.
Yes. Partial repiping targets specific problem areas such as a single bathroom, kitchen supply lines, or one floor. This is a cost-effective option when only some sections of your plumbing are failing. However, if your entire system is Poly-B or galvanized steel, a full repipe is usually more cost-effective long-term than addressing failures one section at a time.
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