When walls, ceilings or floors are opened for a renovation in Nanaimo or elsewhere on Vancouver Island, Waywest Mechanical replaces the old piping behind them: Poly-B and galvanized water lines, failing copper, and cracked cast-iron, clay or poorly sloped drains. Replacing pipe during a renovation costs much less than opening finished walls later. Waywest can replace only the lines in the renovated area, or extend the work to repipe the whole home.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Why renovation is the time to repipe
The expensive part of replacing old pipe in a finished home is not the pipe — it is getting to it, and repairing drywall, tile and flooring afterwards. During a renovation, that access is already paid for. A few extra hours of plumbing while walls are open can remove the risk of a failure behind brand-new finishes.
What we replace
- Poly-B (polybutylene) water lines — common in Island homes built from the late 1970s into the mid-1990s — see Poly-B replacement
- Galvanized steel water lines that restrict flow and corrode from the inside
- Copper with pinhole leaks or corrosion
- Cast-iron drains that are cracked, scaled or rusted through
- Old ABS or clay drains that are broken or poorly sloped
- Missing or seized shut-off valves
- Undersized or missing venting that causes gurgling or slow drains
Renovated area or whole house
Renovated area only. We replace the supply and drain piping serving the rooms being renovated, back to a sound connection point, and fit new shut-offs. This fits the renovation budget and schedule.
Extend to a whole-house repipe. If the rest of the house has the same material, we can extend the work while the renovation is under way, running new lines through the open areas and keeping other openings small. See whole-house repiping.
Fitting into the renovation schedule
Repiping happens at the same stage as the rest of the plumbing rough-in: after demolition and before insulation and drywall. We confirm what is behind the walls as soon as demolition exposes it, give you a price for anything unexpected before doing it, and pressure test the new piping before walls close.
Check the drains too
Supply lines are visible when walls open; drains under the floor often are not. A sewer camera inspection before the new floor goes down shows whether the drain under a renovated bathroom or kitchen is cracked, sagging or full of roots.
Service area
Repiping during renovations in Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan and across Vancouver Island.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
Should I replace only the pipes in the room I'm renovating?
It depends on what the rest of the house has. If the whole home has Poly-B or galvanized pipe, replacing only the renovated area leaves the same risk elsewhere, and the new and old piping still connect. Many homeowners replace the renovated area now and plan the rest, or extend the repipe while access is easy. Waywest explains both options with prices.
How do I know what kind of pipe my house has?
Poly-B is usually grey plastic stamped PB2110, galvanized is dull grey threaded steel, and copper is reddish or brown. Drains may be black ABS plastic, cast iron or, in older homes, clay under the slab. A plumber can identify them at the water heater, under sinks and at the main shut-off, and a camera shows the drains.
Does replacing Poly-B help with home insurance?
Some insurers limit coverage or charge more for homes with Poly-B. Waywest provides documentation of the replacement that homeowners can give to their insurer. Check with your own insurer about how it affects your policy.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.