Kitec and Entran II in Santa Fe Homes: Plumbing Issues Every Buyer Should Know

Santa Fe’s unique housing market is full of character homes, radiant-heated floors, and custom designs—but if you're buying or selling a home built between the 1980s and early 2000s, there’s a hidden issue that could cost thousands: Kitec and Entran II plumbing systems.

Both materials were popular in Santa Fe and other parts of the Southwest during that time, particularly in custom homes with radiant floor heating. While innovative for their era, these systems are now known to fail prematurely—and may trigger red flags during home inspections or real estate transactions.

What Is Kitec Plumbing?

Kitec is a multi-layer piping system made of PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) and aluminum, used widely in hot and cold water lines and in-floor radiant heat systems. It was advertised as corrosion-resistant and easier to install than copper.

When It Was Used:

• Approximately 1995 to 2007

Common Issues:

• Pipe degradation with hot water exposure

• Brass fittings corrode, causing leaks due to a process called dezincification

• Spontaneous pipe bursts, especially in radiant heat systems

• Disclosure risks during Santa Fe home sales

• Insurance limitations or higher premiums due to the known defect

Homes in Santa Fe with radiant heat often relied on Kitec piping for both distribution manifolds and in-slab tubing, particularly in communities like Eldorado, Las Campanas, and custom homes off Old Santa Fe Trail or Hyde Park Road.

What Is Entran II?

Entran II is a rubber-based tubing (EPDM) used in radiant floor heating and snow-melt systems, manufactured in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. It was often embedded in concrete slab floors—common in New Mexico construction.

When It Was Used:

• Mid-1980s to mid-1990s

Known Problems:

• Rubber breakdown due to heat and oxygen exposure

• Sticky oozing residue from deteriorated tubes

• Leaks beneath floors or slabs

• Foul odors, especially in wood-floor applications

• Extremely invasive repairs—especially for concrete-slab homes in Santa Fe’s foothills and historic districts

Santa Fe homes built or remodeled during this era with radiant heat are prime candidates for Entran II systems. Unfortunately, like Kitec, Entran II was also the subject of class-action litigation, with settlement funds now depleted.Entran II is a rubber-based tubing (EPDM) used in radiant floor heating and snow-melt systems, manufactured in the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. It was often embedded in concrete slab floors—common in Northern New Mexico construction.

When It Was Used:

• Mid-1980s to mid-1990s

Known Problems:

• Rubber breakdown due to heat and oxygen exposure

• Sticky oozing residue from deteriorated tubes

• Leaks beneath floors or slabs

• Foul odors, especially in wood-floor applications

• Extremely invasive repairs—especially for concrete-slab homes in Santa Fe’s foothills and historic districts

Santa Fe homes built or remodeled during this era with radiant heat are prime candidates for Entran II systems. Unfortunately, like Kitec, Entran II was also the subject of class-action litigation, with settlement funds now depleted.

How to Tell if a Santa Fe Home Has Kitec or Entran II

A professional home inspection is strongly recommended if you're considering a property built between 1985–2007 in Santa Fe, particularly if radiant heat is advertised. Some indicators:

• Kitec pipes are usually bright orange (hot water) or blue (cold water) and often labeled with “Kitec,” “IPEX,” or “PlumbBetter.”

• Entran II tubing is a flexible, orange rubber hose often found in radiant slabs, sometimes labeled directly.

Inspections around the water heater, mechanical room, or boiler can reveal key clues.

What to Do If Your Santa Fe Home Has Kitec or Entran II

• Get a plumbing evaluation from a licensed contractor familiar with radiant heat systems in Northern NM

• Replace the system proactively if degradation is found—especially before listing your home

• Check your homeowners insurance for coverage or exclusions

• Disclose honestly during a home sale to avoid legal liability

Replacing Kitec piping or an Entran II system isn’t cheap—especially in homes with in-floor heating embedded in concrete—but waiting until failure can result in far more expensive damage and disruption.

Final Word: Don’t Overlook These Systems in Santa Fe

Whether you're buying a cozy adobe near Canyon Road or selling a radiant-heated home in Las Campanas, identifying Kitec or Entran II can protect you from costly surprises. These outdated systems are more than just an inspection hurdle—they're a serious risk to your home’s infrastructure and value.