Should I worry if my home has Kitec plumbing?

The answer is yes. Kitec plumbing was made between 1995 and 2007. It is a brand of plastic pipes used in cold and hot water systems. It is made with a thin layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of plastic. The aluminum prevents oxygen from diffusing through the pipe walls and causes corrosion. It was once considered to be a good plumbing system because it was cheaper than copper and, being flexible, easier to install. Kitec pipes were recalled around 2005 because they have a tendency to corrode rapidly. There are many other brands made of similar materials that were recalled as well, but Kitec was the major brand.

Kitec plumbing consists of blue, red and sometimes orange flex piping connected to brass fittings. The blue pipes carry cold water and the red or orange carry hot water.  It is easily spotted, even in finished basements, by looking under the counter sinks or near the hot water tank. Homes with kitec plumbing have a yellow sticker on the inside of the electrical panel door with a cautionary note saying that the building does not have metallic piping. Usually, electricians use the metallic piping as an electrical ground. 

Ketic tubing can withstand heat to a maximum of 77°C but the temperature in hot water tanks is hotter, causing the pipes to break down. Brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc. With high heat and moisture, it oxidizes producing zinc oxide which acts like bad cholesterol, forming restrictions in the pipes. The narrow restrictions create higher pressure and pipes can burst. Unlike copper plumbing where pipes leak, Ketic plumbing will burst, creating a flood. There is no warning when it can happen and there are no preventative actions an owner can take, except to replace the entire plumbing which can be expensive as pipes are behind walls and through floors.

Condominiums with Ketic plumbing must undergo retrofit and the cost is passed down to the owners. The average cost for a one bedroom condo apartment is approximately $5,000 and for a two bedroom about $10,000. Homes and townhomes are much more expensive. There is a cross-border lawsuit with a settlement fund of $100 million US  after lawyer’s fees and there are about 88,000 claims. Claims can be made until 2020 for failed systems and if there is any remainder, it will be distributed to owners who have systems that have not failed. Owners must file a claim by completing a Ketic settlement from before the expiry date.

If you are planning on buying a home or condominium, get it inspected and ask the realtor to insert a clause in your agreement stating that the seller warrants that the building does not have Ketic or similar plumbing and this warranty shall survive closing. If the property was built during 1995-2007, then that’s a red flag so be more cautious. 

Owners with Kitec plumbing must inform their insurers because, in the event of water damage, they may not be protected. Some insurers will ensure it at a higher cost while others may refuse to consider it or have a rider in the policy which states that water damages are not covered due to the plumbing system. Consider engaging a plumber to retrofit the home or install a leak protection device that can shut off the water when it senses improper flow patterns. Other preventative measures are to lower the water temperature settings on the hot water tank to below 77° degrees or install a water mixer valve to lower the temperature. Ketic plumbing has a life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years but could last longer. According to Carson and Dunlop, a reputable home inspection company, as of January 2018, they have seen few failures with this piping. If the home is left unattended for more than 24 hours, it is a good idea to turn off the main valve even if there is no Kitec plumbing.