Spectrum Inspection Group Inc.
Indicators of Kitec Plumbing
 

Kitec stickerLet's lay out some facts; there is a difference between "Indicators of Kitec" and conclusively determining Kitec is installed.  In this case the inspector erroneously concluded Kitec was present solely based upon a sticker in the electrical panel. A Kitec sticker in the electrical panel does not confirm the home contains Kitec plumbing; it is only an indicator.

 

Kitec is a form of "plastic" piping and plastic is not a good conductor of electricity.  Therefore non-metallic piping is non-conductive.  These stickers are required to be installed in the electrical panels to warn the electrician not to utilize the plumbing system as a ground for the electrical system. The sticker is a required safety placard.

 

We have found Kitec stickers in electrical panels many, many times where the plumbing installed in the home was not Kitec. Sometimes it was because the re-plumb had already occurred. Sometimes it was because the builder used whatever sticker he could find to satisfy the requirement of warning the electrician not to use the plumbing system as a ground. Conversely the absence of a Kitec sticker in the electrical panel does not mean the home does not contain Kitec.

 

What Are The Indicators? 

 (aka Home Inspector 103)

 

(It kills me to publish this information because I am training my competition.)  

 

A  home inspector can look for indicators that would lead him to provide the recommendation in his report that further review by a licensed and qualified Plumbing Contractor is warranted.  Here's what the indicators are:

 

1.  Movement of the flow indicator on the water meter.  The inspector needs to go through the home and ensure the potable water plumbing supply system is mechanically isolated. This means ensuring: 

    • the toilet flapper valves are not leaking;
    • the water line connection valve for the refrigerator is closed and not leaking;
    • no leaks are occurring under any sinks, in showers, bathrooms, or laundry areas; 
    • the pool fill valve is mechanically isolated,
    • the lawn irrigation system anti-siphon valve (vacuum breaker) is mechanically isolated;
    • no water flow is or leaks are visible in the home.    

Flow indicatorOnce this is accomplished the inspector needs to go out to the street, lift the cover off the water meter; expose the flow indicator on the water meter, mark the position of the flow indicator and observe it for at least 10 minutes. If any movement of the flow indicator occurs it means that there is a leak somewhere and this is an indicator that Kitec plumbing may be installed.

 

Flowing water faucet2.  Review of faucets.  The inspector should review the faucets in the home that are used most often. This is usually the kitchen sink faucet and master bathroom faucets. Operate the hot and cold water valves independently and observe the flow rate of the water. Knowing that the dezincification process associated with Kitec is accelerated by heat a more pronounced reduction of flow on the hot water side of the faucet than the cold water side of the faucet is another indicator that Kitec may be installed.

 

Kitec sticker3.  Review the electrical panel interior.  If the electrical panel has a Kitec sticker installed this is another indicator that Kitec plumbing may be installed.

 

 

 

4.  Review the Kitec Class List of Builders and Developments.  Someone (either the inspector, the agent, or the consumer) needs to review the list of builders and communities known to contain Kitec plumbing that was promulgated by the attorney for Plaintiffs in the Clark County Kitec class action lawsuit. (In our firm we review this list and report our finding right on the inspection appointment confirmation we send to the agents well before the inspector ever reaches the property.) Again a home located in a community where Kitec is known to exist is only an indicator. It is very common to review a home that is on the list only to find the home does not have Kitec installed.

Ascertaining Kitec is Installed.

There are only a limited number of ways for a licensed home inspector (operating within the law) to positively ascertain Kitec plumbing exists or does not exist in a home.  By law the inspector is not allowed to perform any procedure that may damage any part of the structure in the conduct of his inspection (NAC 645D.470.5).  A licensed home inspector is not allowed to cut holes in a wall. To positively ascertain Kitec plumbing is installed the inspector must be able to access the piping and read the identification marking imprinted on the side of the pipe. There are several ways to do this.
  1. Review the readily accessible areas.  Most often reviewing the readily accessible areas where plumbing components are sink faucet supply lineinstalled only allows you to ascertain another type of plumbing system is installed.  With some other brands of plumbing systems no flexible connector is used between the angle stop valve at the wall and the faucet.  On this type of piping you can sometimes read the identification marking imprinted on the side of the pipe. (very often it is coated with drywall texture or paint over spray) This allow the inspector to conclude Kitec is not installed.  If Kitec is installed and unless the system is installed completely disregarding manufacturers instructions Kitec systems will have an angle stop valve on the wall and a flexible connector between the valve and the faucet.  Kitec piping is generally not visible in readily accessible areas.   
  2. Review the Limited access areas.  Review the attic for the piping. Normally, when piping is installed in the attic areas, the piping will Exposed Kitec pipebe installed under the insulation to protect the piping from freeze and to ensure the piping is not exposed to temperatures any more severe than what is present in the interior envelope of the home.       An inspector equipped with a thermal imaging device can usually see where the piping is located under the insulation. Once the location of the piping has been determined the insulation should lifted and the piping reviewed for the word "Kitec" stamped on the side. If the piping is not visible it may not be installed in the attic at all.

Course of Action

 

In summary if the inspector observes atypical flow at the water meter or observes a pronounced reduction of flow on the hot water side of the faucet but cannot ascertain the presence of Kitec this would warrant a further review by a licensed and qualified Plumbing Contractor.

By a "licensed and qualified Plumbing Contractor" we are specifically referring to one of the four (4) plumbing contractors authorized by the court in the Kitec class action settlement. They are (in no specific order):

  1. Plumbing Express - (702) 458-7508;
  2. Dynamic Plumbing Systems - (702) 643-4440;
  3. Repipe Specialists - 800) 737-4746;
  4. Delta Mechanical- (877) 547-1057.

When contacted each of these contractors provides the service where they will come out to the home (for a fee) and cut a hole in the wall (usually in the garage adjacent to the water heater or water softener or inside the cabinet under a bathroom sink) to expose the piping and read the identification marking on the side of the pipe.  

When the Only Indicator is The Yellow Sticker...  

Kitec sticker

If there is a Kitec sticker in the electrical panel initially it does not warrant the expense of a review by a licensed and qualified contractor. Remember that when home with Kitec is identified all these plumbing contractors get their marching orders for the re-plumb from the Administrator for the Kitec Settlement. The Administrator in the Clark County settlement is an independent company located in Plano, Texas called Total Class Solutions. Their phone number is: (800) 622-0130.  

 

If a re-plumb was previously conducted to the home through the settlement then Total Class Solutions will have record of the repair. Often Total Class Solutions will possess information on specific homes where they have already ascertained the presence or absence of Kitec.

 

If the only indicator of Kitec being present in the home is the sticker in the electrical panel the first course of action is to call Total Class Solutions
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Links for Additional Information
Questions?  Call:
(702) 269-6716
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Kitec piping
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The owner of Spectrum Inspection Group is a retired U.S. Navy engineering Chief Petty Officer.  Consequently a $50.00 military discount is provided to all active duty, retired, and veterans of the U.S. armed forces including the United States Coast Guard. 
(702) 269-6716