The pipes pose serious water-loss risks, can affect insurability, and repair costs aren’t necessarily covered.
However, having Kitec doesn’t necessarily mean your entire piping system is bad, and it doesn’t automatically rule out claims.
This guide draws on the official Kitec settlement website, including the settlement administrator’s FAQ for the claims deadline and outcome, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s home-coverage guide for coverage questions, and the Condominium Authority of Ontario’s repair guide for responsibility between an owner and corporation.
Does Home Insurance Cover Kitec Plumbing?
Ask the insurer or the broker to confirm in writing (a) that they are willing to insure the property, (b) what water cover is included and what documents will be required after replacement, and (c) any other requirements or exclusions in respect of Kitec.
Remember that cover described as broad or comprehensive is not necessarily adequate. Tell your insurer/broker what sort of plumbing is in the house.
Damage caused by a failed Kitec pipe, if it is sudden and accidental and the cause is an insured risk, may be covered. However, insurance commonly does not cover replacement of the defective or worn pipe itself.
Coverage will vary based on exclusions for water damage, deductibles, maintenance requirements, and any restrictions added for Kitec in an individual policy.
What To Do If You Find Kitec Plumbing
| Situation | What to do now | Insurance or document check |
|---|---|---|
| Kitec is intact and dry | Have a qualified plumber evaluate the type and condition of the material, the extent of work, etc. Get estimates for repiping before opening up walls. | Ask whether there are any water restrictions, deadlines, or inspection conditions in the policy, and disclose the Kitec plumbing. |
| There is an active leak | Ensure that no-one comes into contact with electricity and, if safe to do so, shut off the water. Call an emergency plumber. | If it is safe to do so, take photos of the cause of the loss and the damaged areas before disposal/demolition. Report any resulting damage promptly. |
| You are buying the home | Get a scope of work in writing along with cost estimate, then reflect these issues in your offer (inspection clause). | Get written insurance acceptance before removing the insurance condition or closing. |
| The pipes are in a condo | Tell the condominium manager and identify where the failed or proposed work sits. | Review declaration, bylaws, rules, definition of standard-unit and both insurance policies. |
Common Kitec Plumbing Issues
Kitec plumbing, a flexible alternative to copper, was used in some homes and condos in Canada, especially from the mid-1990s to the 2000s. According to the Kitec settlement, fittings may deteriorate and deposits may build up. These issues may restrict water flow or lead to leaks.
The condition of Kitec in one home may differ from another based on fitting condition, installation, water composition, temperature, water pressure and more. The absence of leaks or other issues in accessible portions of a system does not necessarily indicate that inaccessible portions of the system are okay.
What Happened To The Kitec Class-Action Settlement?
If you’re discovering Kitec in your home now, unfortunately, you can’t submit a claim. A US$125 million fund was made available for claims in North America. The deadline to make a claim was January 9, 2020. Payments were issued by cheque in July 2025, and the stale-date period for those cheques has passed.
Unless you have a valid claim for which you did not receive payment, or received a cheque that has stale-dated, there’s no reason to contact the settlement administrator. Keep your old claim number and correspondence before contacting the administrator.
Should You Tell Your Home Insurer About Kitec?
Yes, you should answer all their questions (application/renewal) truthfully and report new information that may affect their evaluation of your property, such as if you become aware of a condition that may increase the insurer’s risk.
- When reporting, be sure to indicate Kitec or suspected Kitec and how it was determined. Also, it’s a good idea to know whether it’s hot/cold, heating, both, only feeds a portion of the house, etc.
- Your insurer may ask for supporting documentation. A plumber’s report, pictures, history of leaks, future repipe plans/dates, etc.
- Ask what will happen to the policy after a complete repipe and what documentation (invoice, permit or inspection record) would be needed to prove it.
Read More: See How Property Conditions Can Lead to High-Risk Home Insurance
How To Identify Kitec Plumbing
Look for blue (cold) and orange (hot) colored pipes. Note: Many new piping materials are also blue and orange, so you’ll need to verify further.
Check pipes in areas most likely to be exposed, such as around your water heater, sinks, mechanical room, or manifold. Don’t open up walls or cut into pipes to verify.
Other indicators include brass fittings and a sticker indicating non-metallic piping located near the electrical panel. Look for words like Kitec, KTC, IPEX, AQUA, AmbioComfort, KERR Controls, Plomberie Amelioree, PlumbBetter, WarmRite, XPA stamped into the piping.
A home inspector may flag potential K-Flex or XPA piping; however, a qualified plumber should verify and document the material, and design and price the repipe. They can document all easily accessible pipes, fittings, and markings and make determinations based on the evidence regarding pipes located within walls.
Should You Replace Kitec Plumbing?
Once a home is confirmed to have Kitec, don’t assume immediate replacement is required. Get at least two itemized bids and check with your insurer whether Kitec replacement is a condition of getting or renewing coverage.
However, the work can become urgent if:
- The system is leaking.
- Materials are failing.
- Failures have been frequent.
- An insurer has given you a deadline for replacement.
| Quote item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Scope | Confirm whether all Kitec supply and heating-loop runs, concealed sections, manifolds, valves and fittings are included or excluded. |
| Access and restoration | Who’s responsible for cutting into/repairing: drywall, tile, cabinetry, paint and fire separations |
| Building requirements | Permits/inspections, condo approval, shutoff coordination and licensed trades |
| Evidence | Photos before and after, invoices, material information, inspection reports and warranties |
| Insurance acceptance | What documentation do they need? Will they remove the water restriction? |
Read More: See How Home Insurance May Treat a Plumbing Leak
Which Materials Can Replace Kitec?
Depending on the application, local code, the contractor’s installation plan, water quality, accessibility, building design, heating applications, etc., copper, other code-compliant materials, or specifically approved cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) products may be options.
No material is the strongest or least expensive in every situation.
Contractors should bid an identical scope of work. A bid that doesn’t include restoring drywall, coordinating with the condo, doing firestopping, doing hidden piping, etc., isn’t directly comparable to a complete repipe quote.
Who Handles Kitec Replacement In A Condo?
The Condominium Authority of Ontario explains that responsibility depends on the Condominium Act, the corporation’s governing documents and its standard-unit definition.
- Owners should find out whether there is Kitec in the common elements, standard units, or within common elements for the exclusive use of their unit. They should request any corporation-wide plumbing report, replacement plan, board notice, and contractor specification, and confirm who pays for access, pipework, unit improvements, the corporation’s deductible, and damage to neighbouring units.
- Pipes inside a unit are not automatically the owner’s responsibility, and the corporation’s insurance does not automatically pay every owner’s loss. Owners should confirm in writing with their insurer who is responsible for replacing the pipes before any losses occur or before work is undertaken.
Read More: See How Condo Loss-Assessment Coverage Works