Is there a class action lawsuit against Kitec piping?

**OldPete** · 09-26-2006, 02:20 PM

Boy oh boy... ok. Base on those pics, what is it, exactly, that failed? Did a joint fail? Please be VERY specific.

Pete

**master plumber mark** · 09-26-2006, 02:26 PM

theie is no class action lawsuit on this product.....

I called my KITECH salesman and asked him about

it myself......

This should be a simple repair unless someone
rigged up this Kitech with stainless steel clamps
and did not use the proper connectors to install it...

from your one pic it looks like they riggedup something with
SS clamps tothat shower....and it blew

Probably what you got are some lazy crooked plumbers that
are trying to pull one over on you or your insurance company

call your home warranty insurance company and try to
find an honest one to come out...

**abikerboy** · 09-26-2006, 06:57 PM

I have been helping out a plumber friend lately. Very interesting, and Im learning a lot as well. We have repaired some of this type of tube, but we dont use the hose clamps like in the picture. I would think that this is a big no no, and an accident in the waiting. We use a retaining ring (cant remember what he calls them) and a tool to clamp and crimp this ring. Very simple and secure if you do it right. I cant see why there would be any legal issue with this tube because we can get all of the rings and as much of the tubing that we want.

**OldPete** · 09-26-2006, 07:15 PM

Yup. Basically, if you found this:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...r/P1010118.jpg

in your home, with the stainless radiator clamps, and all, and YOU didn't do it, that is totally WRONG WRONG WRONG.

The crimp method (pics above) are correct...

I don't know about the pics that have the "indents" in them... that doesn't look right... anyway... sounds to me like you have more homework to do.

Pete

**Cass** · 09-26-2006, 08:37 PM

The close up of the piece of bad pipe looks like / similar to the holes in the hose clamp.

**Phil H2** · 09-26-2006, 10:27 PM

ultimachi,
Perhaps you should explain the pictures. To me, it looks like the adapter going to the copper pipe broke rather than the tubing failing. The photo with two worm drive hose clamps looks like a carriage bolt plugging the end of the tube. I assume that your homeowners insurance will cover the water damage. You might try contacting the manufacture of Kitec to see if they know someone in your area that can evaluate your piping and perform the repair. I think Ipex makes Kitec http://www.ipexinc.com/ . I guess you could contact an attorney if you think that the home warranty company is renigging. I know this must be a very frustrating time for you. But, the previous homeowners may not been aware of any problems. People paint and remodel for many reasons. It does not sound like you have uncovered any signs of previous water damage.

**robert520** · 09-27-2006, 07:43 PM

Kitec had a recall in 2005 because of leaks at the fittings. It was their PEX-AL-PEX product (pex, aluminum, pex). The leaks were caused by bimetallic corrosion that would be brought on by expansion and contraction of the tubing rubbing against the brass fitting. The inside layer of pex would wear away and expose the aluminum. Aluminum and brass in contact would leak pretty quickly.

Sometime later, some bubba saw this leak and added a hose clamp to stop it. If the hose clamp was installed during original installation then the plumber was most likely not certified by the manufacturer or is an idiot or both.

PEX is easy to install but rules have to be followed. The water valves have to be supported if they are subject to weight, like a hose bib on the side of your house. Water stop valves on toilets and sinks are usually not subject to weight problems, yanking and constant on and off of the valve handle so leaving them unsupported is OK. Would I want a clamp on the short brass stub on the stop valve? You bet, as a nice to have.

I am dealing right now with a manufacturer certified plumber that thinks kinks are OK as long as it is in PEX-AL-PEX. He thinks the aluminum protects the pipe. The purpose of the aluminium is to stop O2 migration through the pipe wall, the secondary benefit is it lays straight and has a slightly smaller bend radius And that is it!

Its a dangerous world out there.

**ultimachi** · 10-12-2006, 08:54 PM

Sorry for the long delay again. Ok. I spoke to a plumber that I was referred to by the homeowners insurance adjuster (not the warranty company just to be clear). The plumber also stated that Kitec is still in business, just like you guys stated. He also stated that it is repairable.

The clamp you see on the pipe was rigged by me. I stuffed a bolt covered in teflon down in there, and clamped it down using the metal clamps so I can turn the water back on in the rest of the house.

I just looked at a piece of the plumbing and it is Pex-aluminum-Pex plumbing. There is a thin layer of aluminum in between the Pex.

Now this is really pissing me off because someone could have fixed this and I would have been able to get the repairs on the house started. I will contact the warranty company tomorrow and see what they say. Shouldn't there be some sort of compensation for all the crap that I have to go through? I had to live without water in the house for 2 weeks all the while the toilets smelled like an outhouse, and showers had to be taken at a friends place. It's just ridiculous.

**Cass** · 10-13-2006, 04:12 AM

I have never heard of anyone receiving damages, in a case like yours, for aggravation.

**Mikey** · 10-13-2006, 05:38 AM

I would just pick the friend I shower with more carefully...

**master plumber mark** · 10-13-2006, 02:39 PM

the peopel that were sent out are idiots and oron drugs...

they probably collected the $100 deductabe from you too...

they fed you a line of shit probably because they dont know how to

repair kitech in the first place...

call and get another plumber to come out there from the place....

call the place and ask for a manager in charge and tell them

your long story and you want a second opinion.

**JohnyChevyEG** · 10-15-2006, 05:25 AM

This is why I will never pay for a home warranty myself. AES keeps trying to get me to get set up, but I refuse. Why? Because if you read the fine print, they clearly state that they do not have to make things right for you, if they so choose. This escape clause is standard for just about any extended type warranty that you may purchase for any product. They could either refund you the money you paid, or they could offer you an amount much less than retail. These people are snakes.

**master plumber mark** · 10-15-2006, 05:48 AM

I work for a number of home warranty comapnies....

what they warranty for $395 per year is wear and tear...

we have generally found that they keep their word

and make repairs or change out heaters and plumbing

other problems one problem at at time.......

we change out a lot of heaters and disposals for a
$100 deductable....

hvac people make repairs and change out AC uint
all summmer long....

Most people dont complain when you change out their leaking 50 gallon gas power vent heater ($1200) for only $100. Thats a pretty good deal......

if you read the fine print it is wise to be in the house for at least 30 days before makeing a claim........

Its hard to believe but I have actually had people call me BEFORE they have ever moved into their used house and expected me to re-model the whole place for them cause they got this insurance!!

they get totally irate when I expalin to them what they
bought...

no they wont re-build your home from scratch...
even if it is falling down

for $395.

its only common sense folks....

you arent gonna get something for nothing.....

this fellow with the Kitec really does not have much of a problem at all

all he has to do it raise some hell
with the place and get another plumber out there
and the problem can be solved in 5 minutes....

or he can forgoe the waranty company and
call anyone in town and pay about $150

and have the damn thing repaired tomorrow

if he has been without water for two weeks
and hasnt raised holy hell its no ones fault but his

no body is gonna take up this fight for him

and the only compensation or satisfaction he can hope for
is to get the plumber that came out fired from the warranty copmpany

**Dunbar Plumbing** · 10-15-2006, 09:04 AM

Don't tell me you work for AHS. They've called me numerous times and I'm the capital one commercial, the answer is always NO.

**master plumber mark** · 10-15-2006, 12:23 PM

I work for a whole lot of them

Cross country home services is the best one....

and its no big deal to me......been with them 15 years

they have a hard time finding honest plumbers.....
and once they know you arent going to bend them over
and slam it to them you do quite a lot of work....

usually most problems are covered by the $100 deductble

I go out all the time for $100.....service call....

usually when a disposal happens I get about $220 for one

customer pays 100 they pay 120.......

water heaters the same way.....

I get about 3 to 10 calls a week directly from their customer

and I have been doing it for so long that no questions are asked

when i call in my bills.....

paperwork can be a problem sometimes....

they presently owe me about 6 k and I am waiting for
the check.....

the check always eventually arrives and its never bounced yet....

its all good.....