Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Urban Piping Launches National Poly B Replacement Initiative Targeting Over 720,000 Canadian Homes

By: Newsfile

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 2, 2025) - Urban Piping announced today the launch of a comprehensive national initiative to eliminate polybutylene (Poly B) pipes from Canadian homes, beginning with strategic expansion into Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver before moving eastward across the country. The company's coast-to-coast plan addresses what industry experts are calling a growing infrastructure crisis affecting more than 721,000 homes built between 1985 and 1997.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10373/268715_2ec0ed3304d84b5f_001.jpg

Urban Piping crew completing a full Poly B™ replacement project in a Canadian home.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10373/268715_2ec0ed3304d84b5f_001full.jpg

The announcement comes as insurance companies prepare to cancel coverage for Poly B damage following years of mounting losses. Water damage claims hit $130 million collectively across Canada last year, with Poly B failures contributing significantly to the escalating costs that have prompted insurers to reclassify these homes as high-risk properties.

Emergency Calls Spike as Pipe Life Expectancy Ends

Urban Piping has documented a dramatic acceleration in Poly B failures, with emergency service calls in the last 10 months exceeding the total from the previous 10 years combined. The company attributes this surge to aging pipes reaching the end of their expected lifespan, typically manifesting as pinhole leaks that cause extensive water damage to ceilings and floors.

"The life expectancy has come to the end," said Graham Drew, CEO of Urban Piping, noting that emergency repairs typically cost homeowners $700 per incident while full system replacements range from $10,000 to $20,000.

Insurance Industry Tightens Restrictions

The expansion strategy directly responds to evolving insurance industry policies stemming from a 2005 Supreme Court of Canada class action lawsuit that deemed polybutylene inadmissible for indemnity insurance. While insurance companies initially continued covering Poly B damage to retain clients, recent mega losses from fires, floods, and hail damage have prompted a strategic shift.

Insurance providers are now implementing stricter policies on Poly B coverage, imposing higher premiums, reducing coverage limits, or denying coverage entirely for homes with these aging pipe systems.

Strategic Western Market Focus

Urban Piping's phased expansion targets western Canadian markets with the highest concentrations of affected properties. Calgary leads with the highest density of polybutylene pipes relative to market size, driven by massive construction booms in the 1980s and 1990s when corporate head offices relocated from Montreal.

Edmonton represents the next phase with approximately 28,000 affected homes, while Vancouver's Lower Mainland contains around 240,000 homes with Poly B systems. The company plans to establish five operational zones across Ontario before expanding into Saskatchewan and Quebec markets.

Complete In-House Replacement Model

Urban Piping differentiates itself through a comprehensive in-house service model that handles the entire replacement process, from plumbing installation to drywall repair and paint restoration. This approach eliminates the need for subcontractors and provides homeowners with a single point of contact for complete system replacement.

The company is offering free estimates and home inspections as part of a national awareness campaign designed to help homeowners identify Poly B systems, understand insurance implications, and explore replacement options before emergency failures occur.

Urban Piping has operated as a Poly B replacement specialist since 2008, establishing expertise in addressing the unique challenges posed by these deteriorating pipe systems in Canadian homes.

Contact Details:
Graham Drew
CEO / Urban Piping
(403) 988-3801
info@urbanpiping.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/268715

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.