What You Need to Know About Kitec Plumbing While Home Shopping

Lee Welbanks • July 26, 2024

If you’re in the market to buy a resale house or condo, it’s important to know how to identify Kitec plumbing – a product that was most commonly used in hot water baseboard and in-floor heating systems between 1995 and 2007.

Marketed as a corrosion-resistant alternative to copper pipes and fittings, Kitec was used in the residential building industry, and was recalled in 2015. The issue is that Kitec plumbing systems – including fixtures and pipes – have been found to weaken over time due to corrosion of fittings or complete failure of the pipes, causing water damage from leaks and floods.

The piping is typically bright blue for cold water applications and bright orange for hot water applications, but Kitec piping also came in red, dark blue, gray and black.

Where to look for Kitec plumbing

If you’re viewing a home or condo built between 1995 and 2007, be sure to examine pipes around the hot water heater (or for a condo, in the mechanical room where the pipe connects to, or exits from, the walls). You should also check out pipes beneath kitchen sinks and bathroom vanities. All visible fittings should be stamped with Kitec or KTC.

Be sure to also check out the home’s electrical panel doors. Many plumbers added a sticker to the electrical panel stating that Kitec piping was used in the home and that the electrical system must not be grounded to this product.

What’s the solution?

The only option to avoid problems associated with Kitec plumbing is to call a plumber and have it replaced with copper pipes – a remedy that requires access behind walls and under floors, and is an expensive project. But if you skip this step, you run the risk of a messy and even more expensive water damage claim – assuming that your insurance provider will even cover the damage caused by these pipes leaking or bursting.

Kitec plumbing issues represent just one more reason why it pays to have a home inspection before you purchase a property. This would allow you to work the cost of replacing the plumbing into your offer if you decide to proceed with the purchase.

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Lee Welbanks

Monthly vs. Biweekly Mortgage Payments: Which Is Better?

By Lee Welbanks • September 23, 2026

How Mortgage Payment Frequency Affects What You Pay Over Time You’ve probably heard the saying that there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. When it comes to your mortgage, there’s really just one certainty—you’ll repay what you borrow, plus interest. What is flexible, though, is how often you make your mortgage payments. And that choice can have a meaningful impact on how quickly you pay down your mortgage and how much interest you pay over time. The Six Mortgage Payment Frequencies Most lenders offer the following payment options: Monthly – 12 payments per year Semi-monthly – 24 payments per year Bi-weekly – 26 payments per year Weekly – 52 payments per year Accelerated bi-weekly – 26 payments per year Accelerated weekly – 52 payments per year Standard Payment Frequencies The first four options are designed to align with how you get paid. For example: Paid monthly? Monthly mortgage payments may make sense. Paid every two weeks? Bi-weekly payments can align nicely with your cash flow. With these standard options, regardless of how often you pay, the total amount paid over the year is the same —it’s simply divided into more frequent payments. What Makes “Accelerated” Payments Different Accelerated payments work differently—and this is where the real savings happen. With accelerated bi-weekly or accelerated weekly payments, you’re paying a slightly higher amount each time. That extra money goes directly toward reducing your mortgage principal, which lowers the interest you’ll pay over the life of the mortgage. A Simple Example Let’s assume a $1,000 monthly mortgage payment: Monthly: $1,000 once per month = $12,000 per year Semi-monthly: $500 twice per month = $12,000 per year Bi-weekly: $1,000 × 12 ÷ 26 = $461.54 every two weeks = $12,000 per year Accelerated bi-weekly: $1,000 ÷ 2 = $500 every two weeks = $13,000 per year With accelerated bi-weekly payments, you effectively make two extra payments per year without having to think about it. Those extra payments reduce your principal faster, which lowers interest costs over time. Accelerated weekly payments work the same way—you just make smaller payments more frequently. Why This Matters Long Term While it’s difficult to calculate exact savings due to variables like interest rates, terms, and amortization changes, maintaining an accelerated payment schedule over the life of your mortgage can reduce your amortization by up to three years and save a significant amount of interest. The Bottom Line Accelerated payments are a simple, automatic way to lower your overall cost of borrowing—without needing to make lump-sum payments or drastically change your budget. If you’d like to see how different payment frequencies would impact your mortgage specifically, feel free to reach out anytime. I’d be happy to walk through the numbers with you and help you choose the option that fits your goals.

How to Maximize Your Mortgage Renewal Opportunity

By Lee Welbanks • September 16, 2026

Your Lender Is Not Obligated to Renew Your Mortgage Many homeowners assume that if they’ve made every mortgage payment on time, their lender is automatically required to renew their mortgage at the end of the term. That’s a common belief—but it isn’t true. When you sign a mortgage, you’re agreeing to a contract for a specific term . Once that term ends, the lender has the legal right to either renew the mortgage or call the loan . There is no obligation to offer a renewal. In practice, most lenders do renew mortgages—but certain situations can prevent that from happening. Reasons a Lender May Decline to Renew A lender may choose not to renew if: Mortgage payments were missed during the term A bankruptcy or consumer proposal has occurred There is a separation or divorce Employment or income has changed A borrower on the mortgage has passed away The lender no longer prefers the property’s location or market The lender is no longer licensed to lend in Canada Even one of these factors can change how a lender views the risk. Why This Matters Because renewal is not guaranteed, waiting until the last minute can put you in a difficult position. Understanding this reality early gives you time and control. How to Protect Yourself at Renewal The best approach is to be proactive. Ideally, you should begin reviewing your options 120 days before your mortgage term ends . This gives you enough time to explore alternatives and make informed decisions—rather than reacting under pressure. Even if your current lender offers a renewal, that’s just one option , not automatically the best one. The lender that was right for you years ago may no longer offer the most competitive rate, terms, or flexibility today. The goal at renewal isn’t convenience—it’s reducing your total cost of borrowing and choosing terms that align with your current situation. Why Work With an Independent Mortgage Professional Working with an independent mortgage professional ensures someone is advocating for you , not the lender. Instead of being limited to one set of products, you can compare options across multiple lenders and choose the solution that best protects your interests. Final Thoughts Whether your lender is offering a renewal or not, the smartest move is to review all your options before signing anything. If your mortgage is coming up for renewal—or if you want to plan ahead—feel free to connect anytime. I’d be happy to help you protect your options and make a confident decision.