Repiping your home with Uponor Pex is not anyone's favourite thing to do. But there are ways to make the process easier, and that starts with knowing what to expect.
Go to our Kitec Site at www.cdckitec.ca for more information, history, background, and how CDC can help.
We specialize in high rise condominiums and townhomes. Bulk replacement can save everyone lots of money and streamline the process. Call us for more information at 905-712-1232.
Kitec Plumbing Replacement - a Comprehensive Guide by CDC
1. A Division of Canadian Design &
Construction Inc. (CDC)
Kitec Plumbing Replacement A-Z
2. Who is CDC?
Renovation and improvements specialists since 2010
Originally building and renovation contractors
Developed specialization in condominium sector providing
services in 4 main areas:
Kitec Plumbing Replacement
Parking Garage Restoration
Common Area Refurbishment
Fan Coil Unit Replacement
DESIGN &CONSTRUCTION INC
CANADIAN
3. Why CDC for Your Large Scale Projects?
Lean processes + scalability of team structure + expertise +
responsiveness + experience = effective management
4. CDC Credentials
Experienced team with diverse trades and Master
contractors
$5 million liability insurance, bondable
Financial stability to manage multiple projects & complete
on time
Work closely with engineers to meet expectations
Memberships and active participation in industry events
and associations – Acmo, CCI, GTAA
In-depth understanding of condominium corporate
organizational structure and procedures, Condo Act, High
Rise Building Code, property management.
5. About Kitec Plumbing
• Kitec plumbing was installed
between 1994 an 2007 in North
America in high rise, low rise, and
single family home applications for
potable water delivery, in-floor, and
hot-water baseboard heating
systems.
• It was a popular and approved
product, preferred due to its many
advantages over copper.
• Flexible piping often with aluminum
layer, with brass alloy fittings.
7. Identifying Kitec Plumbing
Look for Kitec or KTC
stamped on them.
Blue (cold) and red or orange
(hot)
The terms CSA B137.9/10 or
ATSM F1974 could also
indicate a Kitec system.
Check:
Piping
Crimps
Connectors
Manifold
8. Scope of Kitec Plumbing
Where it is installed in high rise buildings:
In high rise suites: Hot & Cold water
supply downstream from risers to fixtures –
supplies Kitchen, Laundry, Washrooms,
garden hose (balcony or main floor suites)
Possible recirculation line is connected to
the hallway header on select floors.
In Common facilities: used in hot & cold
water fixtures in washrooms, aquatic
facilities, party room/bar, laundry,
compactor room, exterior water hoses.
Possible recirculation line in hallway in
common areas.
9. Kitec Failure
Possible Failure in 2 ways.
1. Dezincification causes fittings to
fail over time. (brass alloy
composition)
2. Pipe can disintegrate and
rupture or leak ( chlorine corrosion,
high pressure + high heat over
time)
11. Whose Responsibility? Who Pays?
Condominium
Corporation
Property /
Unit Owner
Inside the UnitCommon Areas
12. According to the Condo Act, Sect. 92:
Work done for owner
92. (1) If the declaration provides that the owner has an obligation to repair after damage and the owner fails to carry
out the obligation within a reasonable time after damage occurs, the corporation shall do the work necessary to carry
out the obligation. 1998, c. 19, s. 92 (1).
Same, maintenance
(2) If the declaration provides that the owner has an obligation to maintain the common elements or any part of them
and the owner fails to carry out the obligation within a reasonable time, the corporation may do the work necessary to
carry out the obligation. 1998, c. 19, s. 92 (2).
Same, maintenance of units
(3) If an owner has an obligation under this Act to maintain the owner’s unit and fails to carry out the obligation within a
reasonable time and if the failure presents a potential risk of damage to the property or the assets of the corporation or
a potential risk of personal injury to persons on the property, the corporation may do the work necessary to carry out
the obligation. 1998, c. 19, s. 92 (3).
Cost
(4) An owner shall be deemed to have consented to the work done by a corporation under this section and the cost of
the work shall be added to the owner’s contribution to the common expenses. 1998, c. 19, s. 92 (4).
Prevailing Legal Opinion
13. In Theory:
Option 1: The Board informs the homeowners.
Option 2: the Board provides the scope of work involved, and gives a
deadline - Individual home owners hire contractor, secure city permit, and
hire engineer to complete the work on their own. Afterwards the
homeowner provides engineer certificate to corp.
In Practice:
•40-50% compliance (Kitec remains on status certificate indefinitely)
•Expensive and overwhelming for most individuals (and management)
•Inconsistency of quality, workflows, schedules. Vetting process is
onerous
•No security at work sites
Remedial Options – DIY
“Kitec Remediation is the Homeowners Responsibility”
14. Bulk Replacement : The Sensible Way Forward
Putting out a tender through the engineer to choose the best contractor:
•Fair Market Price
•Finish on Schedule
•Consistency of work
•Bulk permit
•Security
•Fulfills Condo Act Sect. 92 guidelines
•High volume material - cost reduction
•Bonded Project
•Completed Floor-by-Floor
•Uniform supervision by engineers
Remedial Options – Bulk Replacement
15. Once the decision has been made to replace all Kitec Systems:
Remedial Options
16. Scope of Work
Optional
•Unit shutoff valves (hot &
cold
•Isolation valve
•Access Panel
•Laundry shutoff (Simmons
type box w/duo lever or
separate)
•Braided Hoses (laundry)
•Water Hammer Arrestor
•Tiles or Shower Plate
•Bulkhead
17. What are we replacing it with?
1. Faster installs
2. Reduced liability
3. Stable material costs
4. Superior flexibility for fewer
connections and fewer
potential leak points
5. Resists corrosion, pitting
and scaling
6. No scrap value
7. Approved for continuous
hot-water recirculation
8. Engineered Plastic (EP) or
copper Manifold
Uponor AquaPex plumbing
18. What are we replacing it with?
Uponor AquaPex plumbing
The PEX tubing industry considers PEX-a superior because the crosslinking is done
during the manufacturing process when polyethylene is in its amorphous state
(above the crystalline melting point). Because of this, the degree of crosslinking
reaches around 85% (higher than PEX-b or PEX-c), resulting in a more uniform, more
flexible product with no weak links in the molecular chain.
All three PEX manufacturing processes generate tubing that is crosslinked to varying
degrees and are acceptable for potable-water and hydronic radiant floor heating
applications.
•PEX-a is manufactured using the Engel or peroxide method
•PEX-b is manufactured using the Silane method
•PEX-c is manufactured using the E-beam (electron beam) or radiation method
19. What are we replacing it with?
Uponor PEX-a and ProPEX cross-polyethylene fitting system uses no metal
fittings, only the material’s natural molecular forces. Expansion tools are
used to fit piping onto connection points and manifold. Certified Uponor
Installers supervise the work.
20. CDC’s Work Process Summary
1. Top Floor-Down approach
2. Five-six days required per unit. Avg.
20 units per week
3. Four new units opened per day
4. Hallway covered with plastic
5. Units protected with drop sheeting
and plastic sheeting
6. First day - plumbing replacement,
water test complete
7. Second day - Engineer’s inspection
8. Finishing work for the remaining
time (4-5 days)
21. Possible Areas of Concern
• Paint colour match
• Chipped tile in washroom
• Possible bulkhead
requirement
• Water unavailability due to
unexpected coordinated
riser shutoff, necessitated
by Kitec manifold too close
to shutoff
bulkhead
Mosaic tile
Your building has Kitec plumbing in it. (bring sample of Kitec pipe??)
Kitec was used to bring potable water into your units
It is flexible pipe that was used in construction from 1995 to 2007.
Bring a prop – a piece of pipe. – it looks like this.
The plumbing system consists of pipes and fittings used together during the period it was widely used.
The pipe is lined with aluminum and made of flexible plastic.
The fittings are made of brass.
It’s bringing water into your home. It seemed like a perfect solution, but there is a problem, possibly a big problem….as time passes.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
The pipe can fail when exposed very high temperatures, or to chlorine within the water, or over exposure to sunlight before installation. In addition, PEX pipe has also been found to be permeable when exposed to some solutions, including oxygen and some petroleum products, and can leach toxic chemicals from the pipe material.
As far as the fitting, the leading cause of failure in a brass fitting used with PEX is caused by dezincification. This causes the fitting to corrode and eventually create leaks.
What would it mean to restore the unit to a safe condition.
Bringing assurance, guaranteed assurance, is what most people would want.
The responsibility of dealing with the kitec situation lies with The home owner, (and in a condo, the unit owner.)
It’s not part of common amenities.The common water pipe feeds into each unit, where the kitec pipe brings potable water into the unit’s bathroom and kitchen sinks and laundry room.
What would it mean to restore the unit to a safe condition.
Bringing assurance, guaranteed assurance, is what most people would want.
What would it mean to restore the unit to a safe condition.
Bringing assurance, guaranteed assurance, is what most people would want.
What would it mean to restore the unit to a safe condition.
Bringing assurance, guaranteed assurance, is what most people would want.
What would it mean to restore the unit to a safe condition.
Bringing assurance, guaranteed assurance, is what most people would want.
What would it mean to restore the unit to a safe condition.
Bringing assurance, guaranteed assurance, is what most people would want.
Upenor’s PEX® piping is superior to rigid pipe and is suitable for replacement since Kitec was also a flexible pipe and applications where it was used will require a flexible solution.
PEX® piping is superior to rigid piping because of 1. faster installs, 2. reduced liability3. stable material costs
Upenor’s PEX® piping is superior to rigid pipe and is suitable for replacement since Kitec was also a flexible pipe and applications where it was used will require a flexible solution.
PEX® piping is superior to rigid piping because of 1. faster installs, 2. reduced liability3. stable material costs
Upenor’s PEX® piping is superior to rigid pipe and is suitable for replacement since Kitec was also a flexible pipe and applications where it was used will require a flexible solution.
PEX® piping is superior to rigid piping because of 1. faster installs, 2. reduced liability3. stable material costs
Here’s how it happens.
We have an architect, an engineer, not to mention our stellar team who know renos and condos inside and out.
You will get no surprises.
We have thought of everything, because we are members of your condo community.
This is a specialty for us. We understand how something like this affects the residents, and we understand how to operate within the bulding guidelines, declaration, highrise standards, etc.
We can even offer temporary housing if needed.
We guarantee our work for 3 years.
