Is PEX the same as kitec? Kitec® is a brand of plastic piping used in hot and cold water supplies to plumbing fixtures, and in heating systems with boilers. It was made from 1995 to
Is PEX the same as kitec?
Kitec® is a brand of plastic piping used in hot and cold water supplies to plumbing fixtures, and in heating systems with boilers. It was made from 1995 to 2007. It is cross-linked polyethylene (PEX). That type is called PEX-AL-PEX.
Does kitec plumbing need to be replaced?
Do I Have to Replace All the Kitec Plumbing at Once? Not necessarily – in some cases we can replace sections of your Kitec plumbing over time. We have the fittings to transition from Kitec to PEX piping. However, we still recommend strongly that all Kitec plumbing be replaced as quickly as possible.
What is the issue with Kitec plumbing?
The three most common issues with Kitec plumbing are: It can’t take the heat. The orange pipes were only certified to run at a maximum temperature of 82 degrees Celcius, but hot water tanks can run hotter than this. The higher heat causes the pipes to deteriorate.
Can I use PEX fittings on kitec?
KITEC piping has a layer of aluminum, sandwiched between 2 plastic layers (PEX-AL-PEX or PE-AL-PE). No other fittings are compatible with KITEC piping. Push fit fittings (SharkBite) do not fit KITEC piping.
Is PEX pipe good for drinking water?
PEX is used in medical applications and is resistant to high and low temperatures, scale, and chlorine. In fact, Whelton and his team have found that at least six brands of PEX pipes and a PEX-a green building plumbing system have impacted both the chemical and odor quality of drinking water.
Why is kitec bad?
One of the reasons why kitec is bad is the fact that kitec piping can fail or deteriorate due to a high level of water pressure or running of temperatures hotter than 77C (180F), the manufactures recommended rating. Another reason why kitec piping is bad is what the industry professionals call premature pipe failure.
Is kitec really that bad?
What can I substitute for kitec?
It is suggested to replace the KITEC piping with type “L” copper piping which will require access to each in-suite bulkheads and through the floor slab conduits.
What is the failure rate of Kitec plumbing?
It is anticipated that Kitec piping and fittings will eventually reach a failure rate of 100%, as the defects are universal. If you have Kitec pipes, you can prevent potential flooding and water damage by having your piping system replaced ASAP.
How can you tell if you have Kitec plumbing?
Most Kitec plumbing can be identified by its bright orange (hot water) and bright blue (cold water), which were the most common colours; however, it was also sold in red, blue, gray and black.
Are there any recalls on KITEC water pipes?
Although the manufacturer, IPEX, denied that there were any serious issues with the piping, class action lawsuits were filed in both the United States and Canada. This resulted in the pipes being recalled and a $125 million settlement. The lawsuit also includes other IPEX products in addition to Kitec®.
Is there a recall on kyetec plumbing fittings?
Kitec, also in some sources spelled Kyetec is a brand of brass plumbing fitting that was recalled in 2005 by its manufacturer, IPEX, due to its tendency to quickly corrode. – includes adaptations from Wikipedia [30]
Do you need a KITEC sticker for a PEX system?
Plumbers have different stickers from different PEX manufacturers on their trucks, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that a KITEC system is installed if there is a KITEC sticker in the panel. Even though copper piping is sometimes visible at water supply valves under sinks, that just may be a copper ‘stub-out’ connected to PEX piping in the walls.
When did the KITEC plumbing class action settlement end?
In 2011, courts in Quebec, Ontario, and the US approved a settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit, and homeowners who suffered Kitec plumbing leaks could receive a share of the $125 million USD settlement. Claim submissions for this case officially ended on January 9, 2020.