There are always going to be transitions in building materials as the construction industry looks for alternatives that are better and more cost-effective. Most of the time, they get it right and the materials used perform as expected. However, some technologies get implemented without a solid understanding of the long-term results. The passing of time can prove some materials to be problematic and the manufacturing and use of them is halted. The issue is that all the buildings that were built using that material often need to be retrofitted to remove it. That is the case with the Kitec® plumbing system.
Kitec® pipes were used for several years. From 1995 to 2007, they were a common alternative to copper because they were less costly to manufacture, and the labour costs to install them were less, too. Unfortunately, it was later determined that the brass alloy fittings were failing far sooner than is optimal. The alloy used was a combination of copper and zinc, which didn’t work well in the end because the zinc dissolves out of the brass, resulting in corrosion and premature failure of the Kitec® system.
If you own a building that was built during the period where Kitec® pipes and fittings were used, it is recommended that you schedule an inspection. The Kitec® piping review & replacement process is your best defense against flooding that could occur if the pipes split open unexpectedly.
Reach out to us at Belanger Engineering today if you would like to schedule a plumbing review appointment. Our team is experienced in providing the engineering services for replacement of the Kitec® system, so you can prevent serious water damage. Contact us today!