Kelowna Kitec Plumbing Issues & Replacement
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The Best Kitec Plumbing Replacement Kelowna Can Offer For Your Homes & Condos
Kitec piping was installed in buildings across North America throughout the mid-1990s to the late 2000s, including many houses, condos, and businesses in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, and the Okanagan Valley. Class action lawsuits were filed in Canada and the US, and Kitec recalls began in 2005 due to their rapid deterioration.
The question is not if your Kitec plumbing will leak, but when it will leak. Don’t wait until it does – contact Vision today!
Kitec Plumbing Problems In Kelowna
If you suspect you may have Kitec piping in your Okanagan home or residential condo, our team is here to help! Vision Plumbing Heating Cooling has replaced plenty of Kitec pipes with new pipes that will stand the test of time. We will inspect your home’s plumbing and, if Kitec piping is present, our experienced team will carefully remove it and install your new piping. Our installations are satisfaction guaranteed and done with the utmost care.
Kitec piping should be replaced as soon as you are aware of it in your home, because it is just a matter of time until they deteriorate and leak. It’s a lot more convenient and cost-effective to have the pipes replaced before they break down, instead of waiting until they fail, causing potentially severe water damage and requiring emergency repair services.
If you have Kitec plumbing in your condo or house, you should contact Vision Plumbing Heating Cooling to perform an inspection and assessment. In the end, you may have to replace all of your piping and fittings. Kitec plumbing replacement costs can vary from home to home and building to building.
Understanding Kitec Plumbing Issues
Homeowners with Kitec pipes in their plumbing systems encounter a range of pressing issues stemming from the inherent flaws of these pipes. These flaws not only jeopardize the structural integrity of the plumbing system but also pose a significant risk of flooding, which can result in extensive property damage and costly repairs. The limitations in insurance coverage further compound the problem, as policies often exclude coverage for damages linked to Kitec pipes.
Common Kitec Plumbing Issues
Because of the many common problems with Kitec piping, the best thing you can do is replace your Kitec pipes before they fail. If you have Kitec piping in your home, have it replaced immediately – you’ll save yourself a bundle of money and stress later!
Temperature Sensitivity
Kitec pipes were only certified for a maximum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82.22 degree Celsius), which can be exceeded by hot water tanks, leading to pipe deterioration.
Deterioration from Pressure
Kitec pipes are not able to stand up to high water pressure, and will fail when exposed to higher-than-usual water pressure.
Corrosion of Fittings
Kitec plumbing fittings are made of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. When zinc is exposed to oxygen and moisture, it tends to corrode (dezincification). When this happens, zinc oxide forms blockages in the pipes that result in restricted water flow, and ultimately breakage and leaks.
Burst Pipes & Flooding
One of the problems with Kitec plumbing is that the pipes won’t just leak, but are quite likely to burst, causing a flood. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear as though there are any actions a homeowner can take to prevent the pipes from rupturing. The only solution is to replace the entire system.
Kitec Plumbing Solutions For Stratas & Other Businesses
Kitec piping systems were widely utilized in commercial plumbing during the mid-1990s to the late 2000s. Regrettably, these Kitec pipes resulted in numerous flooded buildings, eventually culminating in a class action lawsuit. The claim deadline for such cases was January 9, 2020, which puts extra pressure on stratas and other businesses who require property insurance. Now, business owners and strata managers face the unsettling reality that they are no longer covered for water damage if their plumbing systems incorporate Kitec pipes.
When it comes to Kitec restoration, the approach differs slightly for strata organizations. Stratas must submit a plan of action within a year of discovering the need for Kitec replacement. Such undertakings often necessitate a special assessment to secure the necessary funds for the restoration, given the magnitude of the project.
Vision specializes in executing Kitec restoration projects promptly and efficiently, minimizing intrusions into the private spaces, and simplifying the process for you. We engage directly with the Strata from project inception to completion and provide steadfast support throughout the entire process.
Kitec Restoration - Next Steps
Please contact us to discuss the next steps for restoration. If your commercial building is currently grappling with leaking Kitec pipes, or just discovered some you want to replace before they leak, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation.
We look forward to working with you to ease your mind and create a plan that best suits your property’s needs.
Contact us at 250-470-9552 or e-mail info@visionplumbingandheating.com to discuss your commercial Kitec restoration.
What is the Life Expectancy of Kitec Piping?
Kitec pipes were used in homes starting in 1995, and was especially common in residential condos, with the first fitting recalls in 2005. This tells us that the average life expectancy is around 10 years or less.
The Urgency of Kelowna Kitec Replacement
When it comes to Kitec piping, procrastination can cost you big.
Kitec pipes pose imminent risks. Avoid waiting for a catastrophic failure, which can result in extensive property damage and costly emergency repairs. Replace your Kitec plumbing now, and safeguard your home’s value and structural integrity.
Home Insurance Kitec Plumbing Considerations
Home insurers take an interest in the type of plumbing in your home. Incorrect information about your plumbing system can lead to coverage issues. Some policies exclude certain types of plumbing-related damage, so it's essential to understand your coverage.
What Will My Home Insurance Company Want to Know?
Home insurers definitely want to know what kind of plumbing you have in your home. If that particular type of pipe is prone to leaking, as Kitec is, they may refuse to insure you. Alternatively, they may insure your home, but increase your deductible or decline to cover losses caused by a malfunction in your plumbing system. Determine what type of plumbing you have in your home, and be honest with your insurance agent. You don’t want to have coverage denied in the event of a loss because incorrect information was supplied at the time of application.
The right insurer will work with you to provide the best coverage possible. If you do need to have your plumbing replaced, you can consider it an investment in your home and your peace of mind.
Will My Home Insurance Cover Water Damage from burst plumbing?
Typically, home insurance policies include coverage for any sudden or accidental escape of water in your home, including ruptured water lines, or overflowing appliances. This is why insurance companies ask what type of plumbing you have in your home. They need to be able to accurately assess the risk in order to charge the right rates and provide you with the right coverage. Sometimes, depending on your plumbing situation, a company may not be able to insure you at all.
Don’t let this tempt you to tell a little white lie to your insurance broker. This can be construed as “misrepresentation” and can void your policy when it is discovered. Your best course is to always tell the truth. If you discover that the only solution is to replace your plumbing, the expense will be a lot less than finding out, after a loss, that you have no insurance coverage!
When you have a policy in place, remember that there are always exclusions and limitations. Always read your policy wording, with an emphasis on any water exclusions. You can contact your insurance agent or broker if you have any questions.
How to Identify Kitec Plumbing
Check the pipes under your sink and near your water heater–you may be able to identify Kitec pipes from a simple visual inspection. The Kitec plumbing system usually consists of blue and orange flexible piping and brass fittings. “Kitec” was the most common brand it was sold under, but the following brands were also used:
- AmbioComfort
- AQUA
- KERR Controls
- IPEX
- Plomberie Amelioree
- PlumbBetter
- WarmRite
- XPA
Check your pipes for any labels with the above branding or the word “Kitec” on them.
In addition to the orange and blue pipes, Kitec plumbing systems can often be identified by the brass fittings, which will usually have one of the following stamps:
- Kitec
- KTC
- CSA B137.9/10
- ATSM F1974
If you have Kitec plumbing, you may also find a yellow sticker on the inside of your electrical panel door. These stickers say “Caution: This building has non-metallic interior water piping.” Normally, metal piping is used as an electrical ground. These polyethylene pipes cannot be used as a ground.
If you see any of these telltale identifiers, it’s time to call our team and schedule a Kitec replacement. If you don’t see any of these, but you still have reason to believe you might have Kitec piping, we are happy to come to your home and perform an assessment to determine whether you have any Kitec pipes.
Expert Kelowna Kitec Replacement
If you have Kitec pipes in your home, don’t wait for them to break down and result in costly damages. Call the team at Vision today!
Our experienced team specializes in Kitec pipe replacement, ensuring your home’s plumbing system is safe and reliable. We use top-quality materials that stand the test of time. All our installations are satisfaction guaranteed and done with the utmost care. Choose Vision Plumbing Heating Cooling for professional Kitec pipe replacement you can rely on.
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Family owned and operated since 1986. At Vision, we see your solution!
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Vision Plumbing Heating Cooling
2600 Acland Rd Unit 8, Kelowna
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Amazing courteous service as always for Vision Mechanical!
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I recently had the pleasure of working with Jarrod from Vision Plumbing Heating … More Cooling for a furnace cleaning, and his service was exceptional. Jarrod's attention to detail was evident from start to finish—he was thorough, professional, … More
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Amazing courteous service as always for Vision Mechanical!
