There’s that dirty word again – Kitec. It’s a word that sends pangs of fear through the hearts of property managers and Board members alike. If you’re looking to replace Kitec plumbing in your building, the first step is gaining knowledge of the situation at hand. How can you do that? Our handy glossary of terms will help you to better understand what Kitec is and the terms associated with it.
Kitec
Kitec plumbing consists of flexible aluminum pipe between an inner and outer layer of plastic pipe. Kitec was sold between 1995 and 2007 for potable water, in-floor, and hot-water baseboard heating systems. It consists of orange (or red) and blue flexible piping and brass fittings and is easily identifiable this way.
Corrosion
This is the process of wearing away due to chemical reactions – mainly oxidization.
Dezincification
This is a process that selectively removes zinc from an alloy, leaving behind a porous, copper-rich structure that has little mechanical strength. Dezincification may present itself as dull red spots on the surface of brass. It can also manifest as seepage of water through the walls of fittings or leakage at valves.
Finishing
This is the last stage of a Kitec plumbing replacement, and a very important one. Here, the tile that was carefully cut out and removed is replaced. Contractors may choose to replace the existing tile or install new mosaic tiling.
Manifold plumbing system
These are control centres for hot and cold water that feed flexible PEX supply lines to individual fixtures. Manifolds, along with a plastic piping, offer installation-related cost advantages over conventional rigid pipe plumbing system.
Uponor
Uponor is a company that offers flexible, durable PEX plumbing products.
Cross-linking
Uponor Cross-linked polyethylene tubes are unique because they have shape memory characteristics, which only need heat to return it to its original shape. Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) is hydronic tubing that is manufactured from polyethylene plastic with a three-dimensional molecular bond that is created within the structure of the plastic. This molecular bond improves a number of properties such as heat deformation, abrasion, chemical and stress crack resistance.
PEX
PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene. It is a type of plastic tubing made from high-density polyethylene. It is used for radiant floor heat tubing and for water supply. Uponor manufactures PEX-a tubing, which is considered the superior type of PEX in the industry.
Valves
Valves are used to control and regulate the flow of water. There are several different types, including butterfly, angle, globe, ball, gate and check valves.
CDC Inc. is your condo industry expert for Kitec plumbing replacement. When you work with our team, you will be working with manufacturer-certified and trained pipe installation specialists (trained by Uponor of Sweden), employing engineer-approved materials and methods. See our website for more videos, legal research, a comprehensive downloadable guide, and information on the replacement plumbing product.
By Lisa Marie Brennan