Ipex Kitec Pex Plumbing: A Homeowners Experience

In this video I review Ipex Kitec - a discontinued brand of pex that has the potential of destructive failure in your home. I overview the basic characteristics of the product, its applications, the root cause of failure, remediation options, and general things to know.
The fittings I discuss in the video are available from veratek.ca/

[@scott6972]

Thanks for the video. Dahl Valve Limited in Ontario makes a compression fitting for Kitec that allows a transition to Pex. This is in addition to the Veritex fittings that you talk about. I have used both successfully.

[@Richard-nb4iv]

The fittings were made in Taiwan, and some of the fittings were made with high levels of zinc. Zinc is a sacrificial metal used in the marine industry. All househlod brass fittings that are potable are made with zinc. The Pex-Al-Pex brass fittings made today are not potable, made with lead, and should be avoided to repair your household Kitec. I installed Kitec in my house 22 years ago and have had no issues to date, I however I used the compression fittings, not the crimp fittings. I also believe that my fittings may not have the large amount of zinc as others have. Sorry to hear about your issues and wish well with your repairs.

[@Joegig89]

Thanks Richard. Zero issues following the replumb a few years back. I was chasing a leak almost monthly until I just removed it all. Not only that but my flow rate increased significantly. Many of these fittings were overly restrictive as they failed.

[@eucalypto74]

Super helpful video especially the parts about the Veratek fittings. Looking to use some myself but getting conflicting information from the manufacturer. I know this is 3 years later but would you happen to know the ID of your 3/4" Kitec or the OD of a 3/4" Veratek fitting? I know they're supposed to both be .75". However, I have the exact same PlumbBetter Kitec you had and mine measure .78" ID. Same for my old 3/4" Kitec fittings they measure .78" OD using a caliper. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[@boochj2240]

Nice summary Joe. Good explanation, good amount of detail !

[@Joegig89]

Much appreciated!

[@chrisrandall3630]

Toilet valve at kitec supply line/riser has malfunctioned and is blocked. I assume that there is some corrosion. Planning on replacing valve. When adding a new toilet valve to the riser is it simply a removal of the old valve by unscrewing. That is, is there a fitting crimped in the kitec line to simply thread on the new valve?

[@bettya9134]

Hi. Thanks for your video. It has helped us a lot in understanding what needs to be done. What tool did you use to cut the Kitec? We have a PEX cutter but not sure if it will cut through the aluminum center of the Kitec. We don't want to try it and damage the Kitec and/or the tool. Please let us know.

[@Joegig89]

I'm glad my video helped. I used a simple PEX cutter from SupplyHouse.com (SKU: E6081128). The aluminum is thin, foil like. You should have no problem cutting it assuming the blade is sharp. I used scrap to perform a few test cuts - hopefully you'll be able to do the same. Wishing you well in your repairs.

[@bettya9134]

@@Joegig89 Thanks! We'll try that. We were just about to order the Veratek fittings and noticed that they have a notice that the fittings don't work with Plomberie Ame'liore'e pipe. After checking ours, we have Plomberie Ame'liore'e pipe. Any thoughts on other options for us?

[@jert8308]

Thank you so much Joe. Just finished replacing Kitec from my water main to my water heater and then to my washing machine and bathroom sink. I am 80% done. My next work would be from my bathroom sink to the toilet, to the shower and finally, the kitchen sink. I used Veratek PEX to Kitec fitting as a temporary transition from Sharkbite's PEX-A to Kitec until I'm ready to do the next phase of my work. I used cold expansion on all connections except on the Veratek fitting. I used cinch clamp on the PEX side since it is also approve by Sharkbite on their PEX-A piping.

[@dennisdorval6278]

Excellent. Many thanks for your excellent video. I have just ordered fittings/crimper from Veratek so I can use the coil of Ipex PEX-AL-PEX tubing I bought for hydronic floor heating several years ago. I want to use that tubing for a difficult area that will require a lot of bending. It took me a lot of internet screen-time to find your video confirming the tubing is OK but the IPEX fittings are not plus the link to Veratek.

[@JeremyM-i7i]

This video was an absolute blessing. I have kitec from my street shutoff to the back flow preventer and it busted. 2 ideas haven't worked but that Veritek just might!

[@scottmolloy6427]

Great video! I am wondering if you replaced the hydronic pipes yet? I have Kitec used in my hydronic system and like to know what type of pipe and connectors that you used. Thanks

[@traktion9]

Thanks for the info I plan to do this myself too and hoping to leave the upstairs alone for now so this is perfect. Interesting you went with A pipe using cinch/crimp solutions, typically that pipe is used with the expansion rings.

[@solsty1907]

thank you Joe for sharing your findings. I have one more run of this nightmare class action lawsuit product still in my home and I believe it now has inevitably it started leaking. your find for Vertek is an absolute gem, I am debating to try that out but Deb mentioned the aluminum fitting wont work with regular pex crimp fittings.. in the long term.. so now I am still pondering... I may reach out to Veratek to see what they say about thier fittings working on regular PEX.

[@cheesy132]

Great Video. thank you. thank you. You saved my Butt. Pls update us about the fittings.

[@khushdeepsinghgill3095]

How much it cost to replace kitec plumbing? I have 4 bathrooms and 2 kitchen in whole house. What would I be looking at if go for replacement?

[@Joegig89]

Too many variables to give a quote here. Consult a plumber.

[@j.p.marion5377]

Thank you so much for the information Joe. Very clean work you did on your replumb. I live in California and learned I have Kitec, so your video has been very educational on what I need to do. The Veratek fittings will help me open fewer holes in my walls allowing me to keep some of the Kitec pipe in the longer runs, while switching to Pex as needed. Thanks a bunch for this video.

[@Joegig89]

Glad I could help!

[@PamSesheta]

How's it held up?

[@deblalonde1226]

You came close but you didn't hit it. Kipec is not , was not ever built to the CTS standard that most other plumbing pipe choices are. CTS= Copper Tube Size and copper pipe (hard and soft), PVC, CPVC and most PEX is manufactured to that standard. There are fittings available (or were) that work with this stuff. Interior o rings like you showed in a compression style fitting. feral and nut. Regular PEX fittings will not work long term as crimp rings will not secure the AL portion of the pipe. As to the rotten brass.well...any brass from Asia is trash. In brass use LF from either the US or Italy. I like the pipe itself but fitting hassles make it something to avoid IMHO.

[@Joegig89]

Not bad for a network engineer who had no prior plumbing experience. Thanks for the additional data points. Zero water issues since I solved this problem.

[@solsty1907]

are you saying the aluminum Veratek fittings will eventually not hold up on a regular pex connection crimp ring?

[@kathyfreeman9596]

Thank you !

[@flavioborrovic8619]

Should not be using the expansion ring for pex a?

[@Joegig89]

While pex a supports expansion fittings, it is not required. You can use normal stainless steel cinch clamps and copper crimp rings.

[@kennethroberts6131]

What is the name brand of fitting?

[@Joegig89]

Veratek

[@cesarvicencio1402]

Ey bro where is the grand prix?

[@Joegig89]

Haha! The GXP was sold many years ago. I still have my immaculate 06 GTO and recently purchased an X5 M.

[@cheesy132]

Did you ever try sharkbite on kitec. We were in a bind and used this week. It’s holding so far. What is your experience?

[@nutter4butter]

not supposed too haha but if it works it works

[@Joegig89]

Didn’t consider this route as it was not a correct remediation. Pride in ownership at my household - I might not do everything 100% correct but I do my research and execute to the best of my abilities.

[@jfromtn7410]

was it 1/2 inch?

[@matthewtryniski7771]

Joe, how did you cut the kitec pipe?

[@Joegig89]

Regular pex cutting tool. It may crush the aluminum core slightly but once you insert the fitting it rounds out again.

[@matthewtryniski7771]

Thx. I have the veratek fittings and I’m all ready to go. Just need to be prepared, as after that first cut into the Kitec, there is no going back!! Your video was great. Thank you!!

[@Joegig89]

@@matthewtryniski7771 Get a quality pex cutter that is sharp and you'll be fine. Plan your cuts where if you mess up you can just cut back more and offset with more replacement pex following the Veratek fitting. You got this. Good luck! Zero leaks on my end since this project.

[@eddiesshorts7247]

We have leakage and can’t find the fitting to replace it and now we have to replace the whole house. So expensive

[@Joegig89]

Where is the leak? Did you get the details of the Veratek fittings I used? Using these will save you from a complete replumb.

[@juliohernandez901]

@@Joegig89 do you have the website and the company name where you bought the fitting my name is Julio mom having trouble trying to find the fittings thank you

[@Joegig89]

@@juliohernandez901 Its in the description: Veratek