Terminology Tuesday: Kitec Plumbing

Plumbing rarely gets the attention that the appearance of kitchens and bathrooms do during a home search, but what’s behind the walls can matter just as much. Kitec plumbing is one example.

Sold between approximately 1995 and 2007, Kitec was marketed as an affordable, easy-to-install alternative to copper. Its pipes contain an aluminum layer sandwiched between layers of plastic, connected with brass fittings. It was used for household water supply and some hot-water heating systems. Often orange or blue, it can also appear in other colours, so colour alone doesn’t confirm its identity. Additionally, other modern plastic plumbing systems, such as PEX, can look similar but are different products and should not be confused with Kitec.

Physical defect

A major problem with Kitec plumbing involved the brass fittings, which contained a high proportion of zinc. Through a corrosion process called dezincification, zinc can leach out of the brass, weakening the fitting. Corrosion deposits can also restrict water flow. Eventually, fittings may leak or fail.

The pipes themselves can deteriorate too, with concerns including separation of their layers and corrosion of the aluminum core. That means replacing only the fittings may leave other risks unresolved. Failures can cause substantial water damage, even if the system previously appeared to work normally.

How does it affect a sale or purchase?

Kitec can complicate insurance and financing, and the prospect of replacement can become an important negotiating issue. Buyers should have suspected Kitec assessed by a qualified plumber, obtain a replacement estimate, and confirm acceptable insurance before committing to the purchase.

A practical negotiation might involve replacement before closing or a price adjustment that accounts for the work—including opening and repairing walls. For condominium purchases, buyers should have their lawyer review the status certificate package and investigate any building-wide replacement plans or related costs.

Sellers who know their property contains Kitec should discuss it with their REALTOR® and lawyer before listing, including how to handle disclosure. If it has already been replaced, keep the invoices and documentation showing the scope of the work. Disclosure obligations depend on the circumstances and applicable law.

Kitec doesn’t automatically rule out a property, but it does complicate things and deserves careful investigation and a clear plan for addressing the risk.