What Kitec plumbing is
Kitec is a brand of flexible composite water pipe: a layer of aluminum sandwiched between layers of plastic (PEX), joined with brass fittings. It was sold in Canada and the United States from the mid 1990s and discontinued in 2007.
It was popular with builders because it was cheaper and faster to install than copper, so it ended up in many houses, townhomes and condo buildings across the GTA from that era. It was used for hot and cold water lines, and sometimes for in-floor heating.
How to identify Kitec pipe
Kitec is usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. Check where pipes are exposed:
- At the water heater, where the hot and cold lines connect
- Under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- At the main water shut-off and water meter
- In the mechanical room or an unfinished basement ceiling
The pipe is usually bright orange for hot water and blue for cold, but it was made in other colours too, so colour alone does not prove it. Look for printing along the pipe: Kitec was also sold under other names, so markings such as Kitec, XPA, PlumbBetter, IPEX AQUA or WarmRite all point to the same product, often with an ASTM F1281 label. The fittings are brass, and on older systems they may have a white or green crust.
If the pipes are orange and blue but you cannot read any markings, it is still worth having them checked.
Why Kitec fails
The main problem is the brass fittings. Many contain a high proportion of zinc, and over time the water slowly leaches the zinc out, a process called dezincification. The fitting becomes porous and brittle, builds up mineral deposits inside, and eventually leaks or restricts flow.
The pipe itself can also degrade, especially on hot water lines running at high temperature or pressure. That is why the connections at the water heater are often the first to fail.
Because most Kitec runs inside walls, floors and ceilings, a failing fitting can leak slowly for a while before it shows up as a stain, a damp patch or a sudden burst.
Kitec, insurance and selling your home
Many insurers ask whether a home has Kitec. Some charge a higher premium, limit water damage coverage, or ask for it to be replaced within a set time. Policies vary, so ask your insurer directly what they require.
Home inspectors routinely flag Kitec, and buyers often ask for it to be replaced or for a price reduction. Replacing it before you list removes that question, and an invoice showing what was replaced is useful to have.
There was a class action settlement for Kitec in Canada and the United States, but its deadline for claims was January 9, 2020, and the claims process has since closed.
Should you replace Kitec?
Finding Kitec is not an emergency, but it is a known risk, and the cost of a leak inside a finished wall or ceiling usually outweighs the cost of replacing the pipe on your own schedule. Most plumbers and insurers recommend replacing it.
You do not have to do it all at once. A common approach is to replace the connections at the water heater and the hot water lines first, since they fail most often, then the rest when it suits you, for example before a renovation.
- Replace now if you have an active leak, visible corrosion on fittings, or your insurer requires it.
- Plan to replace if you are renovating, selling, or the pipe is on hot water lines in finished areas.
- Monitor only as a short-term measure: check exposed fittings for crust or moisture and know where your main shut-off is.
What replacing Kitec involves
A plumber confirms the pipe is Kitec, traces where it runs, and plans the new route. The new lines are PEX or copper. In most homes the work is done one section at a time, so the rest of the house keeps water, and the route is planned to keep openings in walls and ceilings small.
The cost depends on the size of the home, the number of fixtures, whether you replace everything or in phases, and how easy the pipe is to reach. Our Kitec replacement service page explains how we do it across Toronto and the GTA.
If a Kitec fitting is leaking right now
- Shut off the main water valve. Our guide on how to shut off your main water valve shows where to find it.
- If the leak is on a hot water line, turn off the water heater as well.
- Move belongings away from the water and keep clear of electrical outlets near it.
- Call a licensed plumber. A leaking fitting can be repaired as an emergency, and that is a good time to plan the rest.