Kitec
Kitec was a composite pipe, plastic with an aluminium layer, used in many GTA homes and condos from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s. It is often orange for hot and blue for cold. Fittings are brass and may be stamped with brand names. The fittings can corrode and fail.
Polybutylene
Polybutylene, or poly-B, is a grey or sometimes white or black plastic pipe fitted in a number of houses roughly between 1978 and 1995. It can become brittle and fail.
Where to look
- At the water heater connections
- At the main shut-off
- Under sinks
- In unfinished basement ceilings
Insurance companies may ask about these pipes. Check with your insurer.
Replacement
See repiping.
Signs of trouble
With Kitec, look for green or white corrosion on brass fittings, blue or white deposits, or leaks at joints. Poly-B pipe may show cracking or flaking at fittings. Any leak in these systems is a reason to consider replacement rather than spot repair.
Planning replacement
The cure is normally fresh PEX or copper pulled through the home. We plan routes to minimise wall openings. Condo owners should check with the corporation, as some buildings run coordinated replacement programs.
Resale and insurance
Disclosure requirements and buyer expectations vary. Documentation of replacement helps when selling. Talk to your insurer and real estate professionals about specifics.
When to put the tools down
Some of this is homeowner work and some is not. Stop and phone us if you see any of these:
- Water meter dial moves with every tap off
- Pressure drops when two fixtures run
- Green crust on copper joints
- Banging when a valve closes quickly
- Anything involving the gas line, the venting or cutting into a wall
Quick answers
Can I just replace the fittings?
Replacing individual fittings rarely solves the underlying problem, as other joints in the same system age at the same rate.