What is Kitec?

Kitec is a brand of plastic plumbing that was introduced in 1995 and installed between 1995 and 2007. By contract to copper pipes, Kitec is flexible and can be fished easily through small holes in walls. This means it was easier to install than copper and can be installed at a lower cost.

The composition of Kitec pipes is the problem - the types of metals used within the pipe causes a reaction that leads to failure of the pipe over time. This leads to water damage to the home and/or clogging and poor water pressure and flow. There was a class action lawsuit against the company that manufactured Kitec and was settled in November 2011.

What does it look like?

It’s usually blue on cold water piping and red/orange on hot water piping. Sometimes it could be black, white or grey.

What do I do if I have Kitec plumbing?

It’s important to note that not all Kitec plumbing has had issues. However, if you want to be proactive, you can work on getting them replaced but it can be costly depending on the size of your home.

Another option is to register with the class action website as a precautionary measure http://kitecsettlement.com/. If you end up having a problem, you may be reimbursed in full or in part. You have until 2020 to register.