Kitec Pipe Replacement

Why You Should Replace It 

If you are a homeowner and you have never heard about Kitec piping, you will want to read on. This may affect you many homes and condo’s in southern Ontario  are affected by this. In this post, we will tell you what Kitec plumbing is, how you can tell if your home has it, why and how it needs to be replaced, the impact on your home’s resale value, and the class action lawsuit concerning it. If you have this type of plumbing in your home, don’t take any chances. Talk to the professionals at Sureflow Plumbing & Drain.

What Is Kitec Plumbing

Kitec plumbing was commonly installed in new or extensively renovated homes between 1995 and 2007 in both Canada and the United States. The manufacturers of Kitec claimed that it was resistant to corrosion and an economical alternative to copper pipes and fittings. However, in 2005, it was recalled because of its accelerated corrosion rate. They no longer manufacture it.

Why Kitec Plumbing Needs To Be Replaced

Experts believe that homes with Kitec plumbing could have premature pipe failure. These pipes may not simply develop leaks but actually burst open, causing flooding. The deterioration of Kitec pipes may be caused by using water which is hotter than the manufacturer’s rating of 77 degrees celsius or by excessive water pressure. The only solution is to completely replace this type of plumbing with copper, Uponor / Wirsbo, or PEX pipe and fittings.

How Can I tell If My Home Has Kitec Plumbing?

The majority of Kitec cold water pipes are bright blue in colour, while the hot water ones are bright orange. However, they were also sold in red, blue, gray, and black. The pipes should also be marked with one of the following 9 brand names: Kitec, Kitec XPA, PlumbBetter, WarmRite, IPEX AQUA, AmbioComfort, KERR Controls, XPA, or Plomberie Amelioree.

Usually, the easiest places to see the exposed pipes is under the kitchen or bathroom sink where the pipe or fitting exits the wall, or near the hot water tank or laundry room where the pipe is connected to or exits the walls. Look for the words Kitec or KTC on the visible fittings. You may also find a sticker on your electrical panel stating that Kitec was used and that your electrical system cannot be grounded to it.

How Kitec Plumbing Needs To Be Replaced

Repairing and replacing Kitec plumbing can be very expensive. It is not merely a case of replacing the pipes. Most pipes are hidden behind walls or beneath existing flooring. You have to be able to access these pipes, which means tearing down and replacing the walls or tearing up and replacing the flooring. The cost could range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars per house depending on the extent of the work. The time to finish the replacement will also be considerable depending on the situation. There is no job too big or too small for the experts at Sureflow Plumbing & Drain. If you need your plumbing replaced speak to one of our fully licensed master plumbers today.

Negative Impact On Your Home’s Resale Value

Not only could the bill to repair Kitec plumbing be substantial but it could also lead to insurance or mortgage issues. In 2016, the Ontario Real Estate Association added the question of whether there is Kitec on the property to their Seller Property Information Statement and the Residential Information Checklist. The existence of this type of plumbing could have a negative impact on your home’s resale value. Because of the cost to repair, potential buyers may not be willing to go ahead with the purchase or they may wish you to cover the cost.

Class Action Lawsuit Details

A class action lawsuit which covers the United States and Canada was settled in 2011. The details include a $125,000,000 U.S. dollar settlement which is to be used to cover about half of the cost to repair or replace the affected fitting or pipe. After all of the claimants have been paid, any additional funds may be given as supplemental payments to cover up to the full cost of repairs to the claimants. You must fill out and submit a claim form by January 9, 2020.