Kitec plumbing is a polymer piping in homes introduced in 1995 and used until 2007. The pipes feature polyethylene and a thin layer of aluminum with orange and blue flexible piping and brass fittings. It was seen as a good innovation in the plumbing industry because polymer was viewed as a more efficient and cheaper alternative to copper piping. Plumbers used Kitec piping in many homes because of its ease of installation and lower cost than copper.
Kitec plumbing was utilized for drinking water piping, underfloor heating systems, and hot water baseboard heaters. Due to its high risks of corrosion, Kitec plumbing ceased to be manufactured.
How Does Kitec Plumbing Work?
The blue pipes carry cold water, while the orange ones carry hot water. The orange pipes are also applied in radiant heating systems. These pipes are made using polyethylene with a thin aluminum layer. Brass fittings are used to join these pipes together.
Problems with Kitec Plumbing
Kitec plumbing is prone to several problems that stopped its manufacturing and use in homes. Here are some of these issues:
Kitec plumbing can’t take too much heat: The orange pipes can only work at 180 degrees Fahrenheit. However, hot tanks can get hotter than this. Thus, the high heat damages the orange pipes of the Kitec plumbing.
Gets damaged under pressure: High water pressure can make the pipes fail since they cannot withstand immense pressure.
Dezincification: Kitec plumbing has fittings featuring brass, an alloy of zinc and copper. When zinc gets exposed to moisture and oxygen, it dezincifies or corrodes. When this occurs, the zinc oxide blocks the pipes leading to restricted water flow. With time the pipes break and start to leak. Besides leaking, the pipes are also likely to burst, leading to flooding at home. In such a case, the only solution for you is to replace these pipes.
Life Expectancy of Kitec Plumbing
Kitec plumbing began to be used at home in 1995, but the first recall happened in 2005. So, it’s expected that the average life expectancy of plumbing is around ten years.
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Does Home Insurance Consider Kitec Plumbing?
Home insurers consider the type of plumbing you have in your home. So, if you plan to buy a home, it’s good to check the plumbing during the pre-purchase home inspection. If the home has Kitec plumbing, the insurers may refuse to cover your home because of its high vulnerability to leaking and bursting. They may also insure your home and decline to cover the losses resulting from the malfunction of your Kitec plumbing system.
Cost of Replacing Kitec Plumbing
If your home has Kitec plumbing, the best option is to replace it. Because you can’t replace it yourself, you should contact your plumber because there are water damage risks or flooding. A good plumber will check the system and advice on the best action. They may decide to repair or do a replacement of the entire system. The replacement cost depends on your home size. Your plumber will also inspect and determine the exact cost. It may be costly to replace, but it’s worth it since the damage resulting from flooding might cost you more in the long run.
Should you buy a Home with Kitec Plumbing?
If a home is in good condition except for the Kitec plumbing, you can buy it. You should take the Kitec plumbing as a bargaining chip with your seller. Contact a plumber to estimate the cost of replacing the plumbing and negotiate with the seller to have the amount deducted from the price of the home.
You can determine whether your potential plumbing is in the right condition by checking for blistering or discoloration on the pipes. Inconsistent water pressure or corrosion around the Kitec fittings could show that the system is failing or likely to fail. In this case, the seller should perform the replacements before you close the deal or deduct the estimated cost of the replacement from the price.