Kitec Re-pipe

What is Kitec Re-pipe?

A Kitec re-pipe is a complete replacement of a defective KITEC potable water system in a home. All pipe, fittings, stop valves and supply lines are replaced with either Copper or Aquapex (PEX) (Zippy Zebra recommended). Most re-pipe jobs take one to four days. With minimum interruption of water service (approximately four hours total), Zippy Zebra can ensure the livability of the home by minimizing the completion time.

Kitec History

Kitec was manufactured by a Canadian thermoplastics company, Ipex, Inc, and in the United States by their subsidiary, Ipex USA LLC. It was first introduced into the U.S. market in 1995. According to the manufacturer, Kitec is “an engineered composite pipe made from flexible aluminum tubing -permanently bonded between layers of durable polyethylene – Kitec XPA™ can be installed directly below grade or encased in concrete without additional protection. Its tough cross-linked polyethylene outer and inner layers provide excellent corrosion resistance while its aluminum core provides a built in permeation barrier against ground source contaminants such as termiticide. The result is years of reliable service in harsh soil and water conditions where the use of copper should be avoided.”

What makes it fail?

The alleged construction defect relates to Kitec’s brass fittings, not to the company’s plastic pipe. The issue is a chemical reaction known as dezincification which accelerates corrosion in brass fittings when they are exposed to oxygen and moisture. Brass is an alloy that is primarily composed of copper and zinc. When fittings experience dezincification, zinc leaches out of the brass fittings and leaves a blockage of zinc oxide. This leads to leaks, restricted water flow, and breakage.

How to find out if you have Kitec Plumbing?

Kitec generally comes in two colors: blue (for cold water use) and orange (for hot water use). Entering from the outside of the home, this pipe will typically be attached to your main shutoff valve which is located close to your water heater.

If you have experience with the location and safe use of your electrical panel box, you may find a yellow sticker inside your electrical panel box stating that your home has a nonmetallic Kitec or PlumbBetter piping system. If your home includes this sticker, your home MAY have Kitec Fittings.

Why you need to replace Kitec potable water system:

  • IT ALWAYS FAILS.
  • Dezincification of the Kitec brass fittings is imminent and can cause your Kitec plumbing system to fail.
  • It leads to inevitable leaks and breaks.
  • The combination between Kitec plumbing and brass fittings is proven to make Kitec piping fail.
  • Water flow may be reduced.
  • Dezincified Kitec Fittings impair the ability of a home’s plumbing system to effectively provide water to appliances and fixtures due to constriction of original pipe volume.
  • Dezincified Kitec Fittings have the tendency to burst and leak profusely which leads to severe water damages in a short time period.
  • Kitec water systems cannot be repaired – they should be replaced.
  • Kitec systems may lead to decreased property value, high insurance premiums or insurance policy cancellations (in some instances).

Polybutylen Repipe

What is Polybutylene Re-pipe?

Polybutylene re-pipe is a complete replacement of the defective polybutylene potable water system in a home. All pipe, fittings, stop valves and supply lines are replaced with either Copper or Aquapex (PEX) (Zippy Zebra Recommended). Most re-pipe jobs take one to four days. With minimum interruption of water service (approximately four hours), Zippy Zebra can ensure the livability of the home by minimizing the completion time.

Polybutylene History

Polybutylene water pipe was used in the construction of millions of homes and commercial buildings in the late 70’s through the mid 90’s. In many of the warmer states, construction was flourishing. At that time, the co-polymer plastic pipe was considered to be the “pipe of the future” and used as both underground water mains and interior water distribution lines. It suddenly started to fail, causing devastating losses for many homeowners across the nation.

What makes it fail?

What causes polybutylene pipes to deteriorate can be attributed to the oxidants in the water. With the increased usage of chemicals like chlorine and other bacteria fighting ingredients, failures have increased. These oxidants react with the polybutylene, making it brittle and aid in the development of micro cracks in the pipe. This causes pipe bursting and severe floods.

How to find out if you have Polybutylene Plumbing?

Interior Polybutylene pipe is easily recognized by its bluish gray color. Entering a home from the outside, this pipe will typically be attached to your main shutoff valve (close to your water heater). Just looking at the pipes may not give you any indication that there is a problem as the erosion and cracks start on the inside of the pipe. What appears to be in good health, may not be! It’s not a matter of “if” but “when” your polybutylene water system will fail.

Why you need to replace Polybutylene potable water system:

  • IT ALWAYS FAILS.
  • Repairs have no guarantee.
  • Polybutylene is proven to be a defective pipe.
  • It leads to consecutive water leaks.
  • Once your polybutylene pipes start failing, it is usually followed by more leaks in a short stent of time.
  • The system can cause severs water damage.
  • Polybutylene pipes leak in two ways. The most obvious results from a pipe burst and damage occurs quickly. The other is a pinhole leak that may go unnoticed for extended periods of time and will have the same cumulative effect as a burst line. However, it may present the additional problem of mold that can grow unnoticed, as well.
  • A polybutylene leak is a symptom of a failed system that needs to be replaced. A repair is only temporary and may buy time until the system replacement can be done. Repairs to service lines or leaks under concrete slabs is merely a temporary fix.
    Polybutylene systems may lead to decreased property value, high insurance premiums or insurance policy cancellations (in some cases).

Galvanized Repipe

What is Galvanized Re-pipe?

Galvanized re-pipe is a complete replacement of the faulty galvanized potable water system in a home. All pipe fittings, stop valves and supply lines are replaced with new copper or Aquapex (PEX) (Zippy Zebra recommended). Most re-pipe jobs take roughly four days. With minimum interruption of water service (approximately four hours), Zippy Zebra can ensuring the livability of the home by minimizing job time.

About Galvanized Re-pipe

Galvanized pipe is a steel pipe covered with a protective coating of zinc that greatly reduces its tendency to corrode and extends the life expectancy. It’s not frequently used for water supply lines because the minerals in the water react with the galvanizing material and form scale which builds up over time. This will eventually clog the pipe. Galvanized pipe was commonly used for water supply lines many years ago. The scale build up causes some older homes to suffer from low water pressure. Additionally, hard water greatly reduces the life of galvanized steel pipe.

Why you need to replace your old galvanized plumbing:

  • Reduces water flow due to rust and scale buildup.
  • The interior of the pipe gets clogged with mineral deposits.
  • May cause foul smelling water.
  • Bacteria and other microscopic organisms can grow in the encrustation caused by corrosion, leading to bad tasting water. In galvanized pipes, corrosion can lead to high levels of zinc or iron in the tap water which imparts a “metallic” taste to the water.
  • Rust spots in clothing and black spots in the water may surface.
  • Pipe corrosion forces the metal to erode right into your tap water. Metals absorbed into water can form deposits in appliances such as water heaters, causing their premature failure.
  • May cause microorganism buildup in the pipes.
  • Old galvanized potable water systems may lead to decreased property value, high insurance premiums or insurance policy cancelations (in some instances).

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