Kitec Plumbing
in Toronto
If you are buying a condo or townhouse built between 1995 and 2007, this is one issue worth checking before you make an offer.
Updated August 2026
What Is Kitec Plumbing?
Kitec is a type of flexible plumbing system that was widely installed in Ontario condos, townhouses, and houses from roughly 1995 to 2007. Marketed as a cheaper and faster alternative to copper, it was used by developers across the GTA. The manufacturer recalled affected fittings in 2005, and Kitec products were subsequently discontinued, though installations may still be found in buildings completed as late as approximately 2007. The 1995 to 2007 window is a reasonable screening range, but it does not prove that every building from those years contains Kitec.
The system pairs plastic tubing (typically blue for cold water and orange for hot water) with an inner aluminum layer, connected by brass fittings. If you are weighing a unit from this era, it is worth understanding as part of buying a condo in Toronto.
Kitec was sold under several brand names, and the brand markings are the stronger indicators. If you see any of these stamped on fittings or pipe, it points toward Kitec:
Standards markings such as CSA B137.9, CSA B137.10, or ASTM F1974 may appear on Kitec components, but they describe categories of composite piping and are not unique to Kitec, so they should not be used alone to identify the system.
Why Is It a Problem?
The core concern is the brass fittings, which can corrode over time through a process called dezincification, where zinc leaches out of the brass. As the fittings and pipe deteriorate, a few problems can develop:
How to Spot It
Since plumbing mostly runs behind walls, the best places to look are where pipes are exposed. Treat what you find as an indicator to investigate, not as proof on its own:
Replacement Costs
Replacing Kitec with copper or modern approved PEX piping is the usual fix, and it is not a trivial cost. The bigger cost drivers are the number of bathrooms and fixtures, pipe routing and access, and how much drywall, tile, and restoration is involved, more than the bedroom count. The figures below are broad Toronto planning ranges as of 2026:
These are contractor-based planning ranges, not standardized market prices. Obtain a written quote that confirms whether drywall, tile, painting, engineering, permits, and final restoration are included.
Responsibility for the cost depends on the condominium declaration, the location and ownership of the affected piping, and how the corporation structures the work. In many buildings, owners are responsible for in-suite replacement costs even where the corporation coordinates a building-wide program. In others, some work may be treated as a common expense or funded through a special assessment. Review the declaration, notices, and any replacement program with your lawyer.
What to Do
Whether you are buying or already own a unit with Kitec, here is how to protect yourself:
If You're Buying
If You Already Own
Common Questions About Kitec Plumbing
Not necessarily. The presence of Kitec is something to factor into your offer price and negotiation strategy. Many Toronto condo buyers have purchased units with Kitec and handled replacement as part of the transaction, whether by negotiating a price credit, requesting replacement before closing, or budgeting for it afterward. The key is knowing it is there before you commit, not discovering it after.
A status certificate does not contain a universally prescribed checkbox for Kitec. If the corporation is aware of the issue, related information may appear in the certificate, accompanying documents, insurance records, budgets, minutes, notices, planned work, or special-assessment disclosures. Have your lawyer review the full package and inspect the unit independently rather than treating the certificate as conclusive.
Responsibility depends on the condominium declaration, the location and ownership of the affected piping, and how the corporation structures the work. In many buildings, owners are responsible for in-suite replacement costs even where the corporation coordinates a building-wide program. In others, some work may be treated as a common expense or funded through a special assessment. Review the declaration, notices, and any replacement program with your lawyer.
Often yes, but the terms can differ. Some insurers will cover units with Kitec, particularly with no history of leaks, though a higher premium or deductible may apply. Others may decline coverage or ask for replacement as a condition of renewal. Always confirm your insurance situation before closing, because discovering a coverage issue after you take possession is a serious problem.
Check under the kitchen sink and bathroom vanities for orange (hot) and blue (cold) composite pipes, and look inside the electrical panel door for a sticker warning about non-metallic interior piping, though these are indicators rather than proof. The status-certificate package may reference Kitec or related work if the corporation is aware, but absence from the certificate does not confirm the unit is free of Kitec. A licensed inspector or plumber may confirm exposed Kitec, while concealed piping may require additional records or investigation.
Standard Kitec replacement is plumbing work and is not covered by energy-efficiency rebate programs. Some income-qualified municipal repair or accessibility programs may occasionally support essential plumbing work, but Kitec is not automatically eligible and condominium owners may not qualify. Confirm whether a current program is accepting applications, whether you qualify, and whether the specific work is eligible before relying on assistance. See our guide to home improvement incentives and rebates in Toronto for an overview.
Toronto Realtor® with Property.ca and founder of Own In Toronto. Dave helps condo buyers check for issues like Kitec, review the status-certificate package, and factor any replacement into an offer. Book a free strategy session.
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