What Is Kitec Piping?
Kitec is a brand of composite pipe — aluminum sandwiched between layers of plastic — that was widely used in plumbing and radiant heating installations across Canada, including BC, roughly between 1995 and 2007. It was marketed as a flexible, easy-to-install alternative to copper.
Why It's a Concern
Kitec fittings, made from a brass alloy, are prone to a type of corrosion called dezincification, where the zinc component leaches out over time. This weakens the fitting and can lead to reduced water flow, staining, or in some cases, fitting failure and leaks. The pipe itself tends to hold up better than the fittings that connect it.
How to Identify It
Kitec pipe is usually a distinctive orange (for hot) or blue (for cold) color, though it was also produced in other colors. It's often stamped with "Kitec" directly on the pipe. It may be visible at the water heater, in a mechanical room, or wherever plumbing is exposed and unfinished, such as a crawlspace or unfinished basement.
What this means for you
Kitec was the subject of a class-action settlement in Canada, though that claims period has closed. If a home has Kitec plumbing, it's worth budgeting for eventual repiping and discussing the finding with your insurance provider, as some insurers ask about it directly.
What to Do If You Find It
Kitec doesn't necessarily need to be replaced immediately, but many plumbers recommend monitoring fittings for signs of corrosion and planning for eventual replacement, particularly at the water heater and any accessible fittings, where failure is most common.