GL InspectionsWhat is Kitec plumbing and why does it matter when buying in Ontario?
Kitec is a flexible PEX-aluminum-PEX water pipe with brass fittings that was installed in many GTA condos and some houses between roughly 1995 and 2007. Its fittings and pipe can deteriorate and fail suddenly, so many insurers ask about it and buyers often negotiate replacement before closing.
Updated October 2026 · By Gerardo Lucero, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)
Why Kitec has a bad reputation
Kitec is a water supply pipe made in Canada by IPEX. It has a thin aluminum layer sandwiched between two layers of PEX plastic, joined with brass fittings. Builders used it as a cheaper, flexible alternative to copper, especially in GTA condo towers, from about 1995 until it stopped being sold in 2007.
The trouble is that the brass fittings can lose zinc over time (dezincification) and the pipe itself can degrade, mostly on hot water lines. When Kitec fails, it often fails as a burst with a lot of water, not a slow drip. That is why condo boards, insurers and lawyers pay attention to it.
To be clear about two common misunderstandings: Kitec was not a formal government recall, and the North American class-action settlement closed to new claims on January 9, 2020. If you find Kitec today, the cost of replacing it is not covered by that settlement.
Step by step: how to find out if a home has Kitec
- Check the year. Homes and condos built, or replumbed, between about 1995 and 2007 are the ones to look at closely.
- Look where pipes are exposed. The best spots are at the water heater, under kitchen and bathroom sinks, in the laundry area and around the main water shut-off.
- Notice the colours, but don't trust them alone. Kitec is usually bright orange for hot water and blue for cold. Many modern PEX pipes use the same colours, so colour is a clue, not proof.
- Read the printing on the pipe. Kitec was sold under several names, including Kitec, KTC, IPEX AQUA, PlumbBetter, WarmRite and XPA. The name is often stamped along the pipe.
- In a condo, ask the paperwork. Ask whether the building has Kitec and whether it has been replaced in the common elements and units. Your lawyer reviews the status certificate, where it is often disclosed.
- Get a licensed plumber to confirm. A plumber can confirm the material and quote replacement.
What I look at during the inspection
A home inspection is visual and non-invasive, so I can't open walls or ceilings. What I can do is look at every section of supply piping that is visible: the water heater connections, the mechanical room, under sinks and in unfinished basement ceilings. As a carpenter who has renovated GTA homes since 2009, I have opened plenty of walls, and I know where pipes tend to show. If I see piping that looks like Kitec, I photograph it, note it in the same-day report and recommend evaluation by a licensed plumber. In a condo inspection the visible spots are often limited to the water heater or fan coil closet and under the sinks.
If it's there: realistic options for buyers
- Call your insurer before you firm up. Some insurers ask about Kitec, apply restrictions or want proof of replacement. Get their answer in writing.
- Negotiate. A price reduction or credit toward a repipe is common. See what to do when the inspection finds problems.
- Ask for replacement before closing. If the seller agrees, ask for the plumber's invoice and any permit details.
- Keep your condition. An inspection condition gives you time to get quotes and speak to your insurer.
This is general information, not legal or insurance advice; confirm with your lawyer, agent and insurer.
Buying a home or condo built between 1995 and 2007? Book an inspection and I'll check every visible pipe.
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Questions people ask
how do i know if my condo has kitec
Look at the pipes at the water heater and under the sinks for orange and blue flexible pipe stamped Kitec, KTC, IPEX AQUA or similar, and ask whether the building has disclosed it. A licensed plumber can confirm.
is kitec still covered by the class action?
No. The class-action settlement stopped accepting claims on January 9, 2020, so replacement today is paid by the owner or negotiated in the sale.
can i get home insurance with kitec plumbing
Often yes, but it depends on the insurer. Some ask about it, add conditions or want proof of replacement, so call your broker before you firm up the deal.
does a home inspector find kitec behind walls?
No. A home inspection is visual, so I can only identify piping where it is exposed, such as at the water heater, under sinks and in unfinished areas.
is all orange pipe kitec?
No. Many modern PEX pipes are also orange and blue. The printing on the pipe and the brass fittings are better clues, and a plumber can confirm.
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