Have you ever heard of Kitec plumbing, Kitchener? Let’s discuss the following:
2. Why Kitec Plumbing Needs to Be Replaced
3. How Can You Tell if You Have Kitec Plumbing, Kitchener?
4. How Much Does It Cost to Replace?
Here at WaterSmart, we have almost 30 years of experience in the plumbing and home water services industry, and we'd love to share our expertise with you!
1. What is Kitec plumbing?
Kitec plumbing is a system that was commonly installed in new or extensively renovated homes between 1995 and 2007 in both Canada and the United States.
It was seen as an economical alternative to copper pipes and fitting and the manufacturers of Kitec plumbing claimed that it was resistant to corrosion.
But, in 2005, it was recalled because of its accelerated corrosion rate and Kitec plumbing is no longer manufactured.
LEARN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF HAVING KITEC PLUMBING, Kitchener
2. Why Kitec plumbing needs to be replaced
It’s not a question of if you should replace Kitec plumbing, but why.
The deterioration of Kitec pipes may be caused by using water which is hotter than the manufacturer's rating of 82 degrees Celsius, or by excessive water pressure.
That leads to several reasons why it is a good idea to replace your Kitec plumbing, Kitchener. These include:
Homes with Kitec plumbing could have premature pipe failure.
Kitec pipes may not simply develop leaks but actually burst open, which could be dangerous, especially since the damage is usually caused in the hot water pipes.
If your pipes burst open you could experience flooding and expensive water damage.
There are a couple of warning signs that you can watch for to determine if your Kitec plumbing is starting to fail.
You will notice a buildup of white residue around the outside of your fittings
You will notice your pipes starting to blacken and/or bulge.
Usually, these issues occur near your hot water tank so that is a good spot to closely monitor.
The only solution is to completely replace this type of plumbing with copper pipes and fittings.
If you have a problem with your Kitec plumbing then you should contact a licensed plumber to take a look at it and replace the defective pipes and fittings.
IF YOUR HOME WAS BUILT OF RENOVATED BETWEEN 1995 AND 2007 IT COULD HAVE KITEC PLUMBING, Kitchener.
3. How can you tell if you have Kitec plumbing, Kitchener?
Kitec plumbing is pretty easy to spot. The cold water pipes are bright blue in colour and the hot water pipes are orange.
They will also have a label on them that reads ASTM 1281. The pipes should also be marked with one of the following 9 brand names:
The best spot to look for Kitec plumbing in your home is near your water heater or in your mechanical room where the pipes are connected to or exiting your walls.
These pipes are usually unexposed so they are easy to spot. Other places to see exposed pipes are under the kitchen or bathroom sink where the pipe or fitting exits the wall.
The following video follows through a home inspection of a residence that has Kitec plumbing installed.
MOST KITEC PLUMBING HAS A DISTINCTIVE BLUE OR ORANGE COLOUR
4. How much does it cost to replace?
The cost to repair or replace your Kitec plumbing with copper pipes and fittings will depend on the size of your home and how much plumbing you have.
To be honest, repairing and replacing Kitec plumbing can be very expensive.
That’s because it’s not just about replacing the pipes.
Most pipes are hidden behind walls or beneath existing flooring. You have to be able to access these pipes, which means tearing down and replacing the walls or tearing up and replacing the flooring.
The cost can run anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars.
WaterSmart Can Help with Your Kitec Plumbing, Kitchener
If you need your Kitec plumbing repaired or replaced in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, contact the experienced plumbers at WaterSmart.
We have a long, established reputation for providing outstanding service in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph regions.
After almost 30 years in business, our team of plumbing experts are confident they can provide the most reliable solution to your plumbing needs.
Contact us today with any problems you are experiencing and we will help solve them.
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