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Kitec Plumbing

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by NYCAP123, Sep 19, 2020.

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  1. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I just became aware of a serious issue with a plumbing product called Kitec and sold under various names, that was installed in homes between 1995 and 2007. It's similar to PEX although PEX does not seem to have the same issues. I was wondering if anyone knows if this was used in boats manufactured during this period?
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Several brands of PEX have had zero issues......google it, google dezincing.......several of those brands have made it on yachts.
  3. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Exactly! No issues with PEX or their partner companies. What I was asking is whether the other brands were used. I'd want to know if I had a boat from that era.

    " PEX continues to be popular for both plumbing and heating systems in homes. ... Heating system piping is most often orange. - Piping named in the lawsuit includes the following brand names: Kitec, Plumbetter, IPEX AQUA, WarmRite, Kitec XPA, AmbioComfort, XPA, KERR Controls or Plomberie Améliorée."
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2020
  4. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    PEX is the TYPE of plumbing. PEX is Cross-linked Polyethylene Chemistry Plastics.

    Most of those were/are brands of PEX tubing and fittings. Just like many manufacturers make PVC plumbing and fittings, so do dozens of manufacturers that make PEX tubing and fittings. PEX is not a brand, it is a type of pipe.

    Here are plenty of articles of PEX problems for your reading pleasure:
    https://www.napoleon.cc/pex-plumbing-problems/

    "
    PEX may leach BPA and other toxic chemicals. There are 3 types of PEX (A, B, and C), but type B is the only one that doesn’t appear to have the leaching problem. The research is still incomplete on this matter, but if you want to use PEX, you may want to choose type B.

    PEX is extremely sensitive to UV light. UV light doesn’t just mean sunlight, even the bulbs in your home are UV lights. Most manufacturers recommend a limited amount of sunlight exposure, which is important to note during the installation process, and others recommend total darkness.

    PEX can be damaged by chemicals and pests. Some pest control companies argue against installing PEX because it’s so susceptible to pest damage. Since PEX is plastic, it’s more sensitive than copper and other metal pipes. Mice can chew right through the pipe, causing major problems. The thing to keep in mind though, is this is more of a rodent problem than a PEX problem.

    PEX can’t be installed in high heat areas. You can’t install PEX in high heat areas like near recessed lighting. This also means you can’t connect PEX directly to a hot water heater, but you can use a connecting material to do this.

    PEX is semi-permeable, which means liquid can enter the pipe. When it comes to safety, PEX isn’t antibacterial. This is one reason people don’t choose PEX in the PEX vs. copper decision. The plastic material also allows water to enter the tube, which could cause contamination.

    It’s for some of these reasons, there have been some discussions of a PEX pipe recall, but nothing has come of it."
    https://smartchoice.plumbing/pex-plumbing-disadvantages-what-you-need-to-know/
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I got the impression that PEX was a brand of tubing, but it is indeed a type sold by various companies. Very confusing. (I'm not a plumber) But the bottom line is the same. It pays to find out the brand of PEX your boat is equipped with, because some is worse than others during that period.
  6. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    Here is another thing I learned about this type water piping.
    The Cross-linked Polyethylene is the same product used to insulate the Romex in a home the outside insulation is the same type product but with more softener added to it.
    When the water pipe lays against a Romex cable, the the hardener is leeched out of the pipe by the cable.
    This softens the water pipe to a point that leaks begin to spring up.
    Small leaks that saturate the drywall before coming evident.
    Our schooling indicated to us that you should not allow the cables and pipes to touch.
    Is the Romex used in the boat of the same insulation as in houses ?
    I don't know for sure but they look and feel the same to me.

    That was book learning there, I have not personally ever seen this happen.
  7. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    All of the newer brands to the market are the ones that are better than the previous ones.........BUT, then 10 years later after they've been in installations for a while, then they seem to fail just like the old brands that failed or fail in other ways.......and on and on. I would NEVER want that garbage in a house.