Kitec pipe replacement

At a glance

Appearance

Orange (hot) and blue (cold) pipe, brass fittings

Era

Roughly mid-1990s to mid-2000s

Problem

Fitting corrosion and pipe degradation

Remedy

Full replacement with copper or PEX

Finding out if you have it

Check beside the tank heater or the main valve. Orange and blue pipe, often printed with the Kitec or other brand names, joined with brass fittings, is the giveaway. It was used in houses, townhouses and condos across the GTA, including new builds in Humber Bay Shores and infill around Etobicoke.

• Insurance companies and home buyers often ask about it, so knowing is worth it.

Why it fails

The brass fittings used with Kitec can lose zinc to the water over time, a process that leaves them weak and crusted. The pipe itself can also degrade under high temperatures. Failures tend to happen at fittings, sometimes suddenly.

• A white or green crust on brass fittings is a warning sign.

Replacing it

We replace all Kitec in the house, not just visible sections. In houses, the approach is similar to a repipe. In condos, coordination with the building management is needed because shut-offs may affect other units.

• At the end you get a written note of what was replaced, which is useful for insurance and resale.

Signs to watch for

• Orange and blue pipes at the water heater
• Crusty brass fittings
• Insurance questions about Kitec
• Built or renovated around 1995–2007
• Leaks at fittings

How the job runs

1. Confirm Kitec

   We identify and map all runs.

2. Plan replacement

   Routes and openings chosen.

3. Replace fully

   All Kitec pipe and fittings replaced.

4. Document

   Written summary of the work.