Selling a house can take time and effort, especially in a market where buyers are carefully weighing their options. Nevertheless, the process is usually straightforward most of the time.
Occasionally, however, challenges can arise, such as when you’re getting ready to list, only to find out your house has Kitec plumbing. How much can this affect your home sale, and is there anything you can do about it before your listing goes on the market? In this post, we’ll talk about the implications of Kitec plumbing.
Whatever you’re up against, an accurate, unbiased assessment is the foundation of your selling strategy. Start by booking your complimentary home evaluation with our experts.
How to Identify Kitec Plumbing
Before selling your home, you may find yourself nervously (or perhaps angrily) Googling “what is Kitec plumbing and how is it going to affect me?” What you need now is accurate information.
Kitec plumbing was the most common technology used by home builders in the late 1990s to early 2007. If your home was constructed before or after that time, you can likely breathe a sigh of relief.
If construction fell within that window, it may be time for a little investigative work. Kitec is identifiable under a variety of brands, including “AmbioComfort, AQUA, XPA, IPEX, Plomberie Amelioree, PlumbBetter, WarmRite and KERR Controls.
You can also spot Kitec systems by the tell-tale blue and orange piping and brass fittings. Take a look near the hot water tank or under your kitchen sink.
If in doubt, grab a flashlight and look for a stamp with any of the following:
- Kitec
- KTC
- CSA B137.9/10
- ATSM F1974
Sometimes, there may even be a bright yellow sticker that says “CAUTION: This building has non-metallic interior water piping. DO NOT GROUND.” This is an obvious sign of Kitec plumbing.
That being said, not all Kitec plumbing is labelled a such, so it is best to have a home inspector look at it if there are any concerns.
Looking for more ideas that can lead to a successful home sale? Start by reading the posts below:
- 8 Important Things to Remember When Selling Your Home
- How to Sell Your House Fast
- Why Home Sellers Need to Think More Like Buyers
Why Kitec Plumbing Fell Out of Favour
As a less expensive and more flexible material than copper, Kitec plumbing seemed like an excellent idea to builders at the time. Unfortunately, there are several major problems with the system.
- Unlike metallic piping like copper or aluminum, the polyethylene cannot be used as an electrical ground.
- Blue pipes were made to carry cold water, while orange pipes carry hot water. However, the orange pipes can only run at a maximum of 82C before they begin to break down. The fact that most hot water tanks exceed this temperature presents a serious problem.
- The pipes can only handle a relatively low amount of water pressure. If it gets too high, they can fail.
As the product became more widely used, builders and home inspectors also discovered that the brass fittings tend to corrode quickly compared to other materials. This is not what most homeowners want in their drinking water; plus, there is a possibility that the pipes could leak or even burst.
Working with an agent is the best form of protection possible when buying or selling a house. Learn why in the posts below:
- Fact Vs Fiction About Working With A Real Estate Agent
- FSBO vs Real Estate Agent Assisted Sales: What’s Better?
- Should You Use the Same Agent to Sell and Buy a House?
What Kitec Plumbing Means When Selling Your House
You’ve checked the pipes, and all signs point to the presence of Kitec plumbing. The question now is will it affect your sale, and what can you do about it?
Your first phone call should be to an experienced real estate agent who has successfully overcome challenges of all types. We can review your options with you and guide you toward your next steps. For example:
Remove the existing pipes and invest in a new system: This could be an expensive repair. However, it could be worth it to show value and instil a stronger sense of buyer confidence in your home. If the market is competitive, a full replacement might not be a choice.
Disclose the Kitec plumbing: This gets your listing onto the market quickly, but you may need to offer a price concession for the buyer to make the necessary repairs.
List without disclosing and hope for the best: Unfortunately, this is not an option that can be used when selling if you know about the presence of Kitec.
Are you selling your home during a tough market or challenging situation? The posts below can help:
The Legalities of Selling a House With Kitec Plumbing
We are not lawyers, but technically speaking, Kitec plumbing would generally be classed as a patent defect. This means that it is easily visible upon casual inspection, unlike a latent defect which cannot be detected.
Since the buyer could spot it, there is no legal requirement to disclose the issue. The “buyer beware” principle would usually apply. That said, the courts will review every situation on a case-by-case basis. If they determine that you maliciously withheld knowledge, you could still be held liable.
Note: while a homeowner might be able to claim a lack of knowledge in disclosing a material defect like Kitec plumbing, a real estate agent is held to a higher standard according to RECO guidelines. Since this issue can make it difficult for a buyer to obtain a mortgage or home insurance, your Realtor® is likely obligated to make the disclosure.
If damage occurs as a result of Kitec plumbing that is not visible during a walkthrough or home inspection, it becomes a latent defect. Now your obligation is clear; you are legally required to disclose. For the maximum protection against future lawsuits or claims of breach of contract, honesty really is your best policy. Finding a buyer might be more challenging, but there are options that can lead to a successful outcome.
Do you have questions about selling your home in today’s market? Our top agents in Hamilton & Burlington can help you get the results you need. Reach out today with any questions you have or call 905-332-9223 to connect with our office.
