When was kitec plumbing recall?
2005
Kitec plumbing systems, which were recalled due to defects back in 2005, were installed in hundreds of thousands of homes across Canada – including many thousands here in the Greater Toronto Area.
How do you tell if you have kitec pipes?
How do I know if there is Kitec in my home? Kitec pipe was manufactured in two colors: blue for cold water and orange for hot water. The side of the pipe is typically marked “IPEX” and the fittings, stamped “Kitec”, may be recognized by looking at the pipe and fittings.
How do you know if you have kitec?
What does it look like? Kitec Hot water and radiant heat lines will be orange/red piping and cold lines will be blue. Sometimes the pipes will even have Kitec printed on the pipes.
What makes PVC pipe brittle in the Sun?
The sun’s ultraviolet rays can break down the structure of the material and make it brittle. If you have to run PVC above ground for any reason, it’s recommended you take measures to protect the pipe from excessive sun exposure – either by painting the pipe or providing a covering.
What kind of chemicals can you use to melt PVC pipes?
Adding water will thereby generate more heat and damage the PVC pipes. Sodium hypochlorite, also known as chlorine bleach, isn’t known to melt PVC pipes. However, some oxidizers are usually added to some caustic chemicals to enhance their effectiveness in cleaning drains.
Can a PVC pipe fail if not properly installed?
If PVC is not properly installed, it can fail — and when that happens, major damage can take place. Most PVC pipe failures can be prevented through proper installation. However, should a problem occur, it is very important to treat the root cause, not just the symptom to reduce the risk of future issues.
When to call a plumber for blocked pipes?
If the obstruction is lodged too deeply in the waste line for the auger to reach, call a plumber, who has the tools and resources to do the job safely.
What kind of pipe does KITEC plumbing use?
TOM: Yeah, Elvis. The problem with Kitec plumbing is, as you suspect, the fittings will leak. Now, what’s interesting is that Kitec starts with PEX, which is cross-linked polyethylene which, by itself and as installed today, is actually an excellent plumbing pipe with fittings that don’t leak.
How can you tell if your KITEC system is failing?
You should continue to monitor your Kitec System. The first sign of failure for the fittings is a buildup of white residue on the outside of the fitting. The first sign of failure for the pipe is a blackening of the pipe and/or a bulging of the pipe. Typically problems occur first near the hot water tank.
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®.
How much did IPEX pay for KITEC failures?
IPEX and their insurance company settled, and set up a $125 million fund to compensate those with Kitec® failures. We don’t know if the issue is limited to areas with certain water chemistry, for example, or whether there were manufacturing issues with some of the product.
