Got Kitec plumbing? You might want to change that…quickly. Not to worry, there’s money –97M dollars of it – available to help……if you don’t mind paperwork.
It may have been the darling of the plumbing industry from 1995-2007, but Kitec pipes and fixtures are no longer the belle of the ball. Easy to spot because of their bright orange and blue coloring (orange for hot water and blue for cold) Kitec plumbing was cost efficient and easy to install, making it a go-to for many homeowners and contractors.
Described as “flexible aluminum pipe between an inner and outer layer of plastic pipe with brass fittings” by a Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission brochure in 2013, problems have arisen from the use of Kitec plumbing due to a number of factors.
First, the aluminum and plastic pipe used in Kitec plumbing react contrarily to heat, expanding and contracting at different temperatures, creating a recipe for compression between the two layers. Ultimately, this can lead (and has in many cases) to burst pipes and flooding.
Secondly, Kitec fittings have a nasty habit of deteriorating, particularly when used to transport well water. According to this CBC Article, this seems to occur due to the elevated level of minerals combined with the higher acidity found in well water. The result of this deterioration has been leaking and flooding for many homeowners.
Kitec plumbing also goes by some clever aliases, such as PlumbBetter, (ironic), IPEX AQUA, Kitec XPA, XPA, KERR Controls, Ambio Comfort, or WarmRite, and while it can predominantly be found in its signature bright orange and blue tones, it has also been sold in red, blue, gray and black.
The best place to look and see if you have Kitec plumbing is to do an inspection of the area around your water tank as well as your mechanical rooms. If you are unsure, look for pipes labeled ASTM 1281.
Kitec plumbing (or PlumbBetter, or IPEX AQUA, or WarmRite) has been recalled due to their deteriorating pipes and parts, but many people may not realize they have Kitec in their home, or may not have received notice of the recall.
According to the CBC, as of January 10th, 2012, nearly 300,000 people in North America have Kitec plumbing installed in their homes. While many people have experienced problems with their Kitec systems, close to 10,000 have systems but, so far have experienced no problems.
“Why should I worry?” you ask?
Because you won’t be able to sell your house if you have Kitec plumbing installed, and your property values will be affected.
So, what should you do? Well, there are a number of steps you should take if you suspect you have Kitec Plumbing in your home, or if you know you do but have not experienced any problems yet. (Besides knocking on wood or crossing your fingers that nothing DOES happen.)
- Consult a Professional– Find a plumber near you that has the experience you need to do a full cost estimate for replacing the faulty system, and will give you a detailed report stating the cause of any leaks or flooding, as well as any defect or failure they find in the Kitec plumbing. I highly recommend Mr. Plumber.
- Visit the Kitec Settlement Website – If you have not received a notice for a claim, visit Kitecsettlement.com where you can find out all the details about the class action lawsuit, as well as a handy request for notice form on the home page. You must file a claim if you want to receive a settlement for any work or repairs you need to be done as a result of your Kitec plumbing.
- Brace yourself to do a LOT of paperwork. Because…. bureaucracy. The claim package is quite extensive, and not for the faint of heart, however, you can always hire a lawyer to help you with the process if you find yourself trapped in too much legalese.
- Finally, TAKE HEART! As I have mentioned repeatedly, there is money set aside for claims due to faulty Kitec plumbing. LOTS of it. Like, 97 MILLION DOLLARS worth of it. Currently, most homeowners filing claims are receiving compensation to the tune of 50% of their claim, but there may be more available when the claim deadline hits on January 9th, 2020.
- Even if you have NOT experienced problems, file a claim. You have to replace the damn stuff anyway if you want to eventually sell your home, so file and be patient. Your claim will be processed once the claim deadline is over.
Protect yourself from depreciating property values or potential floods. Check your plumbing, and if you have Kitec installed, exercise your options. Just make sure you don’t lose out on money that you have a legal right to claim.
By: J. Wismer
Sources used in this article include:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/heating-pipes-recall-class-action-1.4960741
https://www.nsrec.ns.ca/images/Kitec_2013.pdf
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/class-action-settlement-kitec-plumbing-1.4971290
http://www.kitecsettlement.com/
