Kitec is a flexible plumbing system — orange pipe for hot, blue for cold, joined with brass fittings — installed in many Canadian homes and condos from about 1995 to 2007. It was recalled and settled in a class action because the pipe and brass fittings can corrode and fail, sometimes bursting without much warning.
$5,000–15,000+ to repipe a condo; $25,000+ for a large homeAddress before purchasePlumbing
Why it matters
A Kitec failure can cause major water damage, and it is now an insurance problem. Many Canadian insurers add water-damage exclusions, raise the deductible or premium, or require full replacement to keep coverage on a home with Kitec. Because insurability affects your mortgage, this is a before-you-buy item — especially in a condo, where one unit's leak can flood the units below.
How to spot it
Look for orange (hot) and blue (cold) flexible pipe with brass fittings at the water heater, under sinks, and at the manifold. Fittings and pipe may be stamped Kitec, KTC, PlumbBetter, IPEX, or AQUA. In a condo, ask the board whether the building has Kitec and any plan to replace it.
What it costs
Repiping a condo commonly runs $5,000–15,000+, and a large house can exceed $25,000, depending on size, access, and the finishes that must be opened and repaired afterward.
What to do
Address before purchase. Confirm with a licensed plumber, get a repipe quote, and ask an insurance broker about coverage for that specific home before you remove your conditions. In a condo, check the reserve fund and any building-wide replacement plan.
Education and triage, not a home inspection. Casaroo flags the signs of Kitec from listing photos and details so you know to ask — a licensed plumber confirms it. We flag; we don't inspect.
Common questions
What is Kitec plumbing?
Kitec is a flexible plumbing system — orange pipe for hot, blue for cold, joined with brass fittings — installed in many Canadian homes and condos from about 1995 to 2007. It was recalled and settled in a class action because the pipe and brass fittings can corrode and fail, sometimes bursting without much warning.
Why does it matter for home buyers?
A Kitec failure can cause major water damage, and it is now an insurance problem. Many Canadian insurers add water-damage exclusions, raise the deductible or premium, or require full replacement to keep coverage on a home with Kitec. Because insurability affects your mortgage, this is a before-you-buy item — especially in a condo, where one unit's leak can flood the units below.
How can I spot it?
Look for orange (hot) and blue (cold) flexible pipe with brass fittings at the water heater, under sinks, and at the manifold. Fittings and pipe may be stamped Kitec, KTC, PlumbBetter, IPEX, or AQUA. In a condo, ask the board whether the building has Kitec and any plan to replace it.
How much does it cost to fix?
Repiping a condo commonly runs $5,000–15,000+, and a large house can exceed $25,000, depending on size, access, and the finishes that must be opened and repaired afterward.
Costs are 2026 estimates that vary by home; confirm with a licensed plumber and your insurer.
Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
This guide is general education, not a home inspection and not advice for your specific property — always
consult the appropriate licensed professional, and get a licensed home inspection before you remove conditions
or buy. Cost ranges are 2026 estimates that vary by region, size, and access; confirm specifics with a
qualified professional.