What Kitec is
Kitec is a composite plumbing system (aluminum core sandwiched between PEX layers) installed in Canadian homes primarily 1995–2007. It was the subject of a class-action settlement after widespread fitting failures caused significant water damage. The settlement claim period closed in 2020 — new owners cannot recover replacement costs from the manufacturer.
How to identify it in Calgary
Distinctive bright orange (hot) and bright blue (cold) flexible piping, sometimes branded Kitec, KERR, IPEX AQUA, PlumbBetter, or several other names. Common in some Calgary homes built in the late 1990s and 2000s and in many condominium buildings from that era.
Why it fails
The brass fittings are the principal failure point — dezincification weakens the brass over time, leading to leaks and full bursts. Failure timing is unpredictable: a Kitec system can run for years without an issue or fail next month. Time and water chemistry are the deciding factors.
Insurance and replacement reality
Many insurers now refuse to write policies on Kitec homes without immediate replacement. A typical Calgary detached home runs $8,000–$18,000 to fully replace with PEX; condominium replacement is generally lower per unit but requires building coordination and may involve common-property components.
Buyer playbook for 2026
Confirm Kitec presence at inspection. Get insurance terms in writing before condition removal. Get a written replacement quote. Negotiate accordingly. For condominium buyers, review condo documents for any building-wide replacement plan or special assessment, and confirm whether unit-side replacement is permitted as an owner improvement.
