Kitec Replacement Why It Is Important
Even though Kitec plumbing was recalled in 2005, we still see these pipes in homes all over the Fraser Valley & Vancouver. Kitec plumbing is still sadly common in Vancouver homes and condos, and for unsuspecting homeowners, it’s a ticking time bomb.
In this article, we’ll go over what to expect when dealing with Kitec plumbing in your Langley, Brooskwood or Willowbrook home. Even though the replacement costs can be steep, the price of waiting until there’s a problem can be worse.
Here’s what homeowners with Kitec plumbing need to know. It is very important to have all Kitech piping removed as soon as possible.
Kitec Replacement Costs vs. Damage Costs
Replacing Kitec piping with copper pipe or PEX pipes can cost anywhere from $5000 to $25000 depending on the size of home and scope of work. Murrayville Plumbing & Heating does a lot of poly-b replacements, these are common just like Kitec.
That’s a high cost on its own, but waiting to replace Kitec piping can be an even bigger expense. That’s because the problem with those pipes is not that it might fail, but that it will fail. The average life expectancy of these types of plumbing is only ten years.
If you wait to replace your pipes, they could not only leak, but burst and flood. According to Global News, the average cost to repair a flooded basement is $43,000. That means the cost of replacing Kitec can more than double once the damage starts!
If you live in the Lower Mainland give Murrayville Plumbing a call for Kitec removal before you have a problem to save the extra expense.
Paying for Pipe Replacement and Damage in Langley
Unfortunately, the cost of replacing Kitec plumbing falls to the property owner, even in the case of condos. Condominium corporations are legally required to warn buyers if there’s Kitec plumbing in the condo, but sometimes they don’t know it’s there (or claim not to). Once the property is yours, any Kitec on it becomes your problem.
Worse, most insurance companies won’t insure homes with Kitec plumbing or may only insure at a much higher rate. If any damage happens as a result of Kitec plumbing, most companies won’t cover repairs. Even in cases where the homeowners didn’t know there was Kitec on the property, insurance companies can claim “misrepresentation” and void your policy.
Checking Your Pipes and Signs of Damage
You can check for signs of Kitec plumbing in your home yourself. However, it can be hard to identify since it comes in many colours and with many different brand names.
If you suspect or know your home has Kitec plumbing, the first person to call is a plumber. A licensed plumber can confirm whether you have Kitec on the property, plus assess the state it’s in. If your piping is showing dangerous signs of damage, you may need to act fast to prevent a major problem.
Kitec plumbing often fails without warning. However, if you see either of the following signs, you should take them seriously:
- White buildup collecting outside the pipe fittings
- Blackened or bulging pipes
When looking for signs of damage, be sure to check near the hot water tank. This is where many Kitec problems happen, since heat breaks down the piping.
Get Your Pipes Replaced
Looking for a licensed, professional Langley plumber to identify or replace Kitec plumbing in your home or condo? Give Murrayville Plumbing & Heating a call today at 778.888.6451 or book online. We serve all of the Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley with 24 hour emergency services.