Some Questions and Answers, Rev. 1 Feb.

  WITH NEW & VERY IMPORTANT CONTENT ADDED

There is some misinformation and confusion concerning a number of matters involving the re-plumbing of Phase 1 homes that were plumbed with Kitec. I hope this will clarify those matters. If you have other questions, please let me know and I will attempt to find out the answer.

1.  American Leak Detection is using Uponor’s Wirsbo pipe to re-plumb homes that were plumbed using Kitec. Uponor is the manufacturer of Wirsbo.                  

Fact

2.  ALD is using Wirsbo’s plastic fittings in their re-plumb.                     

No. This is a misunderstanding concerning the use of plastic fittings. While an all-plastic plumbing system sounds good in theory, as a practical matter such all plastic systems do not exist. They do not exist because of the presence of copper pipe that transitions from the plumbing fixture to the water service line. Plastic fittings are not designed to make the transition from Wirsbo (or PEX) pipe to copper. Plastic transition fittings simply do not exist.

Wirsbo does not make an acceptable fitting for that purpose that would meet our Nevada needs. While Wirsbo does make 1/2" brass fittings, those brass fittings are NOT rated DZR. 'DZR' brass refers to 'Dezincification Resistant Brass.' The DZR label suggests a lower zinc content compared to standard brass fittings.

It's important to understand that there is no reason to assume that Wirsbo's standard brass fittings will not corrode in the same manner as the Kitec or REHAU brass fittings are now corroding.

Wirsbo does make plastic T's and similar plastic-to-plastic transition fittings. Those plastic fittings can be used in the attic to transition from Wirsbo's 3/4" service line to their 1/2" down line. That 1/2" down line takes the water from the attic down to the individual plumbing fixtures, like the sink, bath, toilet, etc.

Homeowners may request a contractor to use Wirsbo's plastic T's and elbows in the attic.

3.  ALD is using SharkBite fittings in their re-plumb.

Fact. SharkBite fittings are rated DZR, which technically suggests a lower zinc content than the content of zinc in a standard brass fitting. That lower zinc content is intended to mitigate the dezincification process. How much mitigation depends on how much lower the zinc content is as a percent of the brass alloy.

ALD will use SharkBite couplings and T's at 1) all transition points from copper to Wirsbo at the begriming and at the end of the line, and 2) in the attic where the 3/4" line transitions to the 1/2" down line.

According to ALD, there is no acceptable option in the case of (1) above, while in the case of (2) in the attic, ALD will use SharkBite or plastic as desired by the owner.

4.  Are there any risks to using SharkBite fittings?

Yes. Potential risks with SharkBite include: 1) uncertainty about the life of the product (dezincification) since it contains brass and that brass contains zinc; 2) the product is a relatively new to the U. S. market, about 10 years, notwithstanding the 25-year warranty; and 3) Wirsbo’s warranty is significantly modified if non-Uponor products are used (which fact is unavoidable).                                                                                   

The USA Wirsbo representative told us that they do not manufacture a 1/2" transition-to-copper fitting that is DZR rated, that is, one that would meet Nevada's needs for a dezincification fitting. They are aware of ALD's choice of SharkBite fittings, and I was told that under the circumstances present in the Las Vegas area, SharkBite fittings are perfectly acceptable to the extent their fittings exhibit a low zinc content.

Wirsbo does manufacture 3/4" DZR rated fittings but not 1/2" DZR rated fittings.

Wirsbo does manufacture 1/2" fittings for use on their 1/2" piping, but, again, those fittings are NOT DZR rated.

Standard Wirsbo fittings may have from 36-41% zinc content, although they did not specify, whereas DZR fittings should have a lower zinc content.

6.  What is the zinc content of the SharkBite fittings.

The zinc content of SharkBite fittings is 35.1%.

What does that tell us? It tells us that the criteria for using the "DZR" stamp designating "low" zinc content is exceedingly high, that is, under 36% zinc.

Opinion: A fitting with a zinc content of 35% provides no measurable added protection to Nevada homeowners over fittings that do not carry the DZR rating. There is no reason to believe that brass fittings with more than 30% zinc (some suggest a lower figure) will not corrode as readily and in a manner similar to what's been happening in Sun City and Nevada.

How do we know what the zinc content is? We know that from a copy of the metallurgical assay of SharkBite fittings that was provided by Cash Acme's U.S. headquarters, the manufacturer. Assay Report.  That report lists the Zinc content as "Rem." and "Rem." means "Remainder" from 100%. The remainder figure for Zinc is 35.1%. As reported:

       Copper         61.5%         

Lead               3.25%      

       Arsenic           0.15%

Zinc                Rem.

According to the International Copper Association's website page, reprinted here, "The major element that is not analyzed shall be determined by difference between the sum of those elements analyzed and 100%. . . . . Percentage content of elements shown as "Remainder" (Rem.) is normally calculated by difference." [This statement appears at the very bottom of the page.]

7.  Are there any DZR rated brass fittings of less than 35 percent?

While it would be preferable to be able to locate DZR brass fittings with a Zinc content of less than 15%, no one who has looked into the matter is aware of any DZR fitting with less than 35% zinc. However, this issue is continuing to be explored and we will update you when we learn more.

8.  Are there alternatives that would preclude the use of brass fittings, thereby avoiding the dezincification problem that the relatively high zinc content creates?

The issue of viable alternatives to the use of brass fittings is currently being explored by some residents in the community. When we learn more about such alternatives, we will let our readers know.

9.  ALD had agreed to use plastic fittings in their re-plumb.                   

Fact. While true, that applies only to the T's or elbows transitioning from the 3/4" line in the attic to the 1/2" down line to the plumbing fixture.

10.  Will ALD use Wirsbo’s plastic fittings?                                            

Yes

11.  Under what conditions will ALD use Wirsbo's plastic fittings in the attic?

ALD will be happy to do so at the owner's request.

Note, however, if plastic T's are used, they carry a 10-year warranty since SharkBite fitting are used elsewhere in the replumb. The SharkBite fittings carry a 25-year warranty. SharkBite Spec. Sheet.

12.  Some plumbing contractors performing the replumb in Sun City are saying that they are using an ALL-WIRSBO plumbing system, from the beginning to the final fitting that attaches to the copper stub or pipe, thereby guarantying Wirsbo's 25 year warranty. What does that claim mean for the homeowner?

Since Wirsbo does not make a 1/2" fitting that is DZR rated for the transition from their pipe to the copper stub, and if that transition fitting is a Wirsbo product, then that fitting must be a Wirsbo standard brass fitting (with a high zinc content), which Wirsbo does make.

If that transition fitting is a standard Wirsbo brass fitting, then the homeowner is running a real risk that that fitting will suffer the same dezincification problem that Kitec and REHAU fittings are experiencing.

Any transition-to-copper fitting that is used, regardless of manufacturer, should be DZR rated.

13.  Wirsbo’s warranty drops from 25 years to 10 years if non-Wirsbo fittings are used. To see Uponor's somewhat confusingly worded warranty for Wirsbo, click here: Warranty. The .pdf file also includes at page 3 Uponor's plain language version labeled "Understanding" of that warranty.                                               

14.  Wirsbo’s warranty drops from 25 years to 10 years if any non-Uponor product is used, including manifolds, pipe or fittings that were manufactured by other than Uponor.                                                    

15.  Wirsbo’s 25 year warranty is valid only if the replumb consists solely of Uponor's products.                                    

16.  As reported by Pulte in response to Question 40, some Kitec may be between the house and the street.                    

Fact. However, the amount of Kitec is likely no more than 10 feet or so and, more importantly, the connection is located in a readily accessible vault buried in the ground just outside of the garage.

To read Pulte's answer to Question 40, click here.

17.  Which homes have Kitec between the house & street?

If you see this in your garage, there is no Kitec outside.

If you do not have this plumbing connection located in the garage, then these valves are located outside in a buried vault. From the buried vault, Kitec would have been used to bring water into the home. ALD will replace the Kitec from the buried vault or from the garage, whichever is present.

Ron Johnson, 31 January 2007, Rev. 1 February

   A re-plumb in progress.