What is the problem with Kitec plumbing?

What is the Problem? Unfortunately, the brass Kitec fittings allowed a chemical reaction to take place which eventually weakened the fittings causing them to fail. Similar problems caused the pipes to fail. The failure can cause water leakage and flooding in homes resulting in severe property damage.

Do insurance companies cover kitec?

Depending on the terms of your home insurance policy, you may be covered in the event of a flood caused by burst or leaking Kitec piping in your home. Some home insurers have been willing to cover all or part of the cost to replace Kitec piping to avoid having to eventually pay out a claim for water damage.

What year did they stop using kitec plumbing?

When was it used? Kitec plumbing was in use from 1995 through 2007, so any home built in or around this period could have Kitec pipes or fittings. It’s estimated that nearly 300,000 homes in North America had Kitec piping installed.

How much does it cost to replace Kitec pipes?

How Much Does Kitec Plumbing Cost to Replace? Depending on the extent of the Kitec plumbing in your home, it can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000.

Is kitec plumbing a deal breaker?

Kitec Plumbing – Is It A Deal Breaker? Kitec Plumbing has quickly been pushed into the “trigger word” category in real estate, having the potential to be a deal breaker. Current list of trigger words include: UFFI, Fuses, Aluminum wiring, Knob & Tube wiring, asbestos, lead or galvanized pipes and mould.

What does kitec pipe look like?

Most Kitec plumbing can be identified by its bright orange (hot water) and bright blue (cold water), which were the most common colours; however, it was also sold in red, blue, gray and black.

Is kitec a deal breaker?

How long does it take to replace Kitec plumbing?

The estimated time may take between 9 to 12 months for an entire building or up to 3 full days for larger homes. Residents will not be required to move out during the piping replacement. Furnishing may have to be moved away from the work areas that the plumbers may need access to.

How much does it cost to remove kitec plumbing?

The cost can start from $5,000 to $6500 for small homes and up to $10,500 for larger homes. These prices include the plumbing portion and drywall finishes which do not include finishes where tiles may have to be removed to access the piping.

Does kitec plumbing always fail?

Kitec was first recalled in the year 2005; this was an indication that the lifespan of Kitec is about 10 years. However, professional plumbers predict that the failure rate of Kitec will rise gradually, and most, if not all, the home that has this system, will experience terrible pipe failure.

What color is kitec piping?

Most Kitec plumbing can be identified by its bright orange (hot water) and bright blue (cold water), which were the most common colors; however, it was also sold in red, blue, gray and black.

How do you identify kitec pipes?

How do I Identify Kitec Plumbing? Most Kitec plumbing can be identified by its bright orange (hot water) and bright blue (cold water), which were the most common colours; however, it was also sold in red, blue, gray and black.

Are there any problems with the KITEC plumbing system?

One of the problems with Kitec plumbing is that the pipes won’t just leak, but are quite likely to burst causing water damage. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear as though there are any actions a homeowner can take to prevent the pipes from rupturing. The only solution is to replace the entire system.

What kind of pipes are used in KITEC?

The pipes are made of polyethylene with a thin layer of aluminum. The Kitec plumbing system usually consists of blue and orange flexible piping and brass fittings. Kitec plumbing was used as piping for drinking water, as wells in for under-floor heating systems, and hot water baseboard heaters.

How can I tell if my house has KITEC pipes?

There are several methods you can use to figure out if your home holds any Kitec plumbing. Kitec pipes come in distinctive orange and blue colours. While Kitec isn’t the only type of pipe to use these colours, if your plumbing system is purely orange and blue, it could very well be Kitec.

Are there push fit fittings for KITEC water supply?

Push fit fittings (SharkBite) do not fit KITEC piping. It would also be foolish to try to replace fittings and continue to use piping, which in my opinion and statistical information, is equally problematic. I have heard reports of plumbers installing pressure regulators and dropping the homes water pressure to 40 psi.