If your Oakville home has Kitec plumbing products you may be entitled to a portion of a US$123 million settlement that was won in a class-action suit. But to be eligible, you must file your claim online by January 9, 2020.
The settlement that was approved in both Canadian and American courts covers North America, and while 20% of that is going to legal fees, there is still $100 million that can be paid out to homeowners who need to replace their Kitec plumbing. It is estimated that across North America, there are more than 292,000 homes that have Kitec products but it is not known how many of those are in Canada.
Prior to 2019, only 4412 property owners in North America applied for and received compensation. There have been 485 payments in Canada which have ranged from $10 to more than $149,000, however, most settlement payments have been in the hundreds to low thousands.
What is Kitec Plumbing?
Kitec plumbing products were widely used in Oakvlle in the late 1990s and early 2000s and was marketed as the next great advancement in plumbing because it cost less and was easier to install than traditional copper plumbing. Kitec products were used mainly in in-floor heating systems and hot water baseboard systems.
Kitec products were recalled in 2005 however due to the fact that they deteriorated easily which can lead to leaks and even flooding.
How do I know if I have Kitec Plumbing?
Many people may have Kitec Plumbing and never realize it until they are informed by a plumber because there has been a problem. This can be a real shock to people who find themselves faced with the large repair bill of replacing their home’s plumbing.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for a plumbing product to find out whether you have Kitec in your home. Kitec is easily identified by its bright orange (for hot water) and bright blue (for cold water) coverings. You can also identify it by the label on the plumbing which says ASTM 1281. The best place to look for Kitec plumbing is beside your hot water tank where you can easily see the pipes coming out from the walls. Other places where you may be able to detect whether your pipes are Kitec is under the kitchen or bathroom sinks.
In addition to the Kitec brand, the product may also be under other brand names including WarmRite, PlumBetter, AQUA and IPEX.
What should I do if I find Kitec Plumbing in my home?
Kitec plumbing replacement is a major and costly job, however, it is better to deal with it early so that you don’t have the much larger expense of repairing your home after it already has water damage from leaks and flooding.
Contact McKenna Plumbing in Oakville today to get an estimate of what it will cost to replace your Kitec Plumbing with new copper plumbing and then fill out the online claim forms before January 9, 2020.