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Things To Consider
The information is general in nature, and is easily found with supporting research on the subject online. it’s always a good idea to get a free heating & plumbing systems check by our professionals at Richardson Wes so you know if your home’s systems are properly maintained.
Poly-B
Information on Polybutylene Piping
Do you know if your home uses Poly B tubing? Polybutylene pipe (Poly B) is a flexible grey pipe used in residential plumbing and hot water heating systems. Poly B was manufactured from 1978 until 1998 when it was discontinued. Available for quite some time, Ploy B was used more heavily in BC and Canada when residential construction was strong during the 1980’s and the early-to-mid 90’s. Unconfirmed estimates cite that there are in excess of 200,000 homes in BC with Poly-B water systems and affecting some 700,000 homes across Canada. If you suspect that your home uses Poly B tubing you should have it checked out as it could lead to major water damages later.
Poly-B supply piping was the first generation plastic piping system designed as a substitute for copper supply piping. Escalating copper prices made Poly B pricing attractive, and because it was less labor intensive to install than copper. Here in Canada, Poly B was tested and certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) as an acceptable product for potable water systems. As of 2005, the NRC-CNRC National Plumbing Code does not list Poly B as an acceptable plumbing piping material. NRC-CNRC plumbing codes are not retroactive, so previously acceptable products that are not currently listed still remain acceptable as long as the product does not pose a health/safety hazard.
There are two primary components to the Poly B plumbing system, the grey piping and the connection fittings used to join the pipes.
Poly-B plumbing problems
All plumbing supply systems experience failure, but some fail prematurely and without warning. Contributing factors that cause premature Poly B failures center around connection failures, pipe failures, water quality, age, and faulty installation.
The factors that cause Poly B failures include:
- Using acetal (grey or white plastic) insert fittings to connect the pipe rather than preferential metal ones.
- Over crimping the aluminum bands that result in hairline cracks in the fittings.
- Poor installation near heat sources, and with excessively high temperatures.
- Improper installation that caused stressed piping.
- Applications with high levels of chlorine used.
The Canadian experience with the two primary Poly B components was much different than the United States consumers. Home owners in the southern United States have experienced problems due to installation related issues and product performance. Many U.S. failures occurred in southern areas where plumbing was run in attics where the piping was in areas with excess heat and using water with excessive chlorine or chemical content. Consumers in BC and Canada had their Poly-B piping installed correctly using copper or brass metal insert fittings and soft copper crimping rings. On the other hand, our counterpart in the States used mostly the plastic insert fittings with either aluminum or copper bands which were more susceptible to failure.
Hydronic heating systems using Poly B had instances of oxygen entering the system through the walls of the piping reported. The problem here is that oxygenated water circulated through the system because it rusts out the metal components expeditiously.
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Signs you may need to replace hot water heater
The water looks cloudy, sandy, or rusty.
When corrosion happens, rust builds and can leak into the water supply. This leads to discolored water coming out of the faucets. Before jumping to conclusions about the water heater, homeowners should run cold tap water for a few minutes. If that water is also rusty, it may mean the issue is within the pipes, not the heater. If it is not rusty, it may be time for a new water heater.
Sometimes water may be cloudy or sandy, caused by a buildup of sediment in the heater tank. Homeowners can rectify this issue by draining the contents of the tank and clearing out the sediment. However, if the water continues to run sandy or cloudy, the heater must be replaced.
You’re not getting enough (or any) hot water, but your heating bill has gone up.
The most obvious reason to get a new hot water heater is a lack of warm water getting to the house. This can mean the water isn’t as hot, the periods of hot water don’t last as long, or there is no hot water altogether. The issue worsens if the heating bill is going up at the same time.
There may be no or less hot water because there is an issue with the electrical thermostat. On average, a home should have the thermostat set between 120 and 140 degrees. If the thermostat is readjusted and the hot water returns, then there’s no reason to replace the heater.
The lack of hot water could also result from a broken heating element within the water heater. A plumber can easily fix this issue, get the parts needed, and restore heating functions within a few hours. However, the components required for older water heaters may not be as readily available, and in some cases, it may be just better to replace the system overall.
The water heater is making strange noises.
As water heaters get older, the rumbling noises they make to heat up water might get louder. This can be due to various reasons, which may be more significant signs the heater needs to be replaced.
As mentioned above, sediment can build up over time at the bottom of the tank. The noise caused by sediment buildup is the sound of the hardened sediment banging against the tank. If not flushed out, the sediment will grow harder and thicker along the floor and start to wear the water heater down. This will make the heater more inefficient and accelerate the damage to the tank.
Homeowners should check for this problem as soon as they hear any unusual noise from their water heater. Taking early action can prevent long-term damage and extend the heater’s life if it’s not yet time for a water heater replacement.
You’ve noticed the water heater is leaking.
At the end of their life span, hot water heaters tend to leak around the floor of the tank. This could potentially lead to minor to significant property damage for the homeowner. A leak in a water heater tank could mean it’s time to replace it.
Leaks are usually caused as the result of expansions to metal in the tank. These expansions occur over the multiple heating cycles of the tank’s life. Fractures may occur because of this expansion, leaking water at the height of each heating cycle. Sometimes, the leak may be minor enough to fix, but this is only delaying the inevitable replacement.
You’ve called in multiple repairs in recent years.
Water heaters can be sensitive and may need to be repaired frequently. If a homeowner finds themselves calling in a plumber on multiple occasions for a hot water heater repair, it may be worth it to replace it altogether.
Water heaters are getting more sophisticated every year. Depending on which heater is purchased, it could last longer and even provide some efficiency for electricity bills.
Your water heater is old, or you’re not sure when it was last replaced.
Often, when a person buys a house, the water heater was installed years ago. If the previous homeowner doesn’t have any documentation, it can be challenging to gauge how old the water heater is and when it needs to be replaced.
Luckily, the serial number on the water heater typically includes a manufacturing date. In most cases, the first letter of the serial number will indicate the month it was manufactured, starting with “A” for January, leading all the way to “L” for December. The next two numbers will indicate the year it was made. For example, if a serial number starts with “C19” the water heater was manufactured in March 2019.
Even if none of the above problems are occurring, if a water heater is over 10 years old, the homeowner should have it maintenanced. It’s best to hire a professional plumber who can let you know if there are any issues with the heater and give their professional opinion about when they should replace it.
Furnace Maintenance
Regular annual check up and maintenance of your heating devices ensure long lasting and trouble free performance. Richardson Wes is happy to provide a system performance check for you because we aim to be your trusted service provider. Schedule a check-up today.
Forced Air Systems Maintenance:
- Check the combustion chamber for cracks
- Test for carbon monoxide (CO) and remedy if found
- Adjust blower control and supply-air temperature
- Clean and oil the blower
- Remove dirt, soot, or corrosion from the furnace or boiler
- Check fuel input and flame characteristics, and adjust if necessary
Hot Water Heating Systems:
- Test pressure-relief valve
- Test high-limit control
- Inspect pressure tank, which should be filled with air, to verify that it’s not filled with water
- Clean the heat exchanger.
Signs you may need new furnace
1. Furnace is more than 15 years old
Typical units lasts about 15 to 20 years. Some have lasted longer and some failed earlier. Because there is no sure way to know before hand, homeowners need to be more mindful as their units get older.
2. Your gas bills have gone up
As the furnace is one of the most energy consuming item in modern homes, its efficiency directly affects your bill. So, as winter gets under way, keep an eye on your monthly energy use. If the bills are much more than previous year and the rates have not changed, then it may be that your furnace needs servicing or if not economical, to be replaced.
According to Natural Resources Canada, ‘An ENERGY STAR certified boiler, fuelled by gas uses 10% less energy, fuelled by oil uses 4% less energy, on average, than a standard model. Space heating represents 63% of your home energy use and offers the most potential for cutting your energy bill. Saving energy saves money and reduces your carbon footprint.’
And, according to the US Department of Energy, ‘Upgrading your furnace or boiler from 56% to 90% efficiency in an average cold-climate house will save 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year if you heat with natural gas, or 2.5 tons if you heat with oil.’
Furnace & Boiler Maintenance
We have a team of technicians and our service rates are more than competitive in the business.
The following maintenance should be provided by a heating system professional.
- Check the condition of your vent connection pipe and chimney. Parts of the venting system may have deteriorated over time. Chimney problems can be expensive to repair, and may help justify installing new heating equipment that won’t use the existing chimney.
- Check the physical integrity of the heat exchanger. Boiler heat exchangers may leak water and are easy to spot. Furnace heat exchangers mix combustion gases with house air when they leak—an important safety reason to have them inspected. Combustion gases leaking into the house can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It is suggested that ever home have a working carbon monoxide detector.
- Adjust the controls on the boiler or furnace to provide optimum water and air temperature settings for both efficiency and comfort.
Service Call Hours
Monday–Friday: 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 2pm
Sunday: Closed
Emergency: Contact us on Emergency Request Form
Store Hours
Monday–Friday: 9:00am - 5pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 2pm
Sunday: Closed
