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Polybutylene Leaking |

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Polybutylene
plumbing piping was probably the most common type of plumbing supply and distribution piping installed in homes in the greater
Charlotte area from the early 1980's through roughly 1996. It is a flexible plastic type pipe that was less expensive
than copper and easier to install. A class action law suit was filed against the manufacturer of Polybutylene piping
and later settled in late 1995. Claimants believed the piping had a higher than
normal failure rate and was defective the defendants still deny any legal liability.
Claim eligibility
checklist:
To
be eligible for recovery under the Cox vs. Shell Oil, et al., class action lawsuit:
- You must own or have previously owned a dwelling or other unit plumbed with a Polybutylene (PB) Plumbing
System (conducts water to your sinks, showers, etc.), or a PB Yard Service Line (conducts water to your dwelling unit from
the water company), or both. Boats and RV's are not eligible. You can also see the definition of Class Member.
- The PB Plumbing System or PB Yard Service Line must have been installed between 1/1/78 and 7/31/95.
- The PB Plumbing System must have been installed using PB pipe and insert fittings. The PB Yard Service
line must be PB pipe but may have any type of fittings.
- The PB Plumbing System or PB Yard Service Line must have had at least one "Leak" as defined in Cox vs.
Shell Oil, et al.
A "Leak"
does not include a leak covered by warranty in the first year after the system was installed, a leak resulting from abuse
or unrelated to ordinary use, a leak in a valve or riser that can be repaired without opening the wall (such as under sinks)
or leaks in ice-maker lines. Please visit the terms page to see the full definition of a "leak" and other terms used on this page.
Unless you meet all of the above requirements,
you are not currently eligible for recovery under Cox vs. Shell Oil, et al. and should not file a Claim Eligibility Form.
If at a later date you have a leak, or later purchase a dwelling or other unit with an eligible system (and have an eligible
Leak) you should file a Claim Eligibility Form at that time. Be sure to review the Filing Deadlines below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leak eligibility
periods and filing deadlines:
Leaks
occurring prior to 8/21/95 must meet the requirements listed in the table below.
Dwelling Type |
Leak Must Occur: |
and Must be Filed: |
All dwelling types as described in the definition
above |
Prior to August 21, 1995 |
By August 21, 1997 |
Leaks occurring 8/21/95 and after
must meet the requirements listed in the table below.
Dwelling Type |
Leak Must Occur: |
and Must be Filed: |
Mobile Homes (timed
out - the leak deadline for mobile home and yard service claims expired 7/31/2005) |
From August 21, 1995 and within 10 years
of PB plumbing installation |
Within 11 years of PB plumbing installation |
Yard Service Lines (timed
out - the leak deadline for mobile home and yard service claims expired 7/31/2005) |
From August 21, 1995 and within 10 years
of PB yard service line installation |
Within 11 years of PB yard service line installation |
Single Units (single family, modulars, townhomes,
condos, duplexes, triplexes, and quads) with Acetal insert fittings |
From August 21, 1995 and within 13 years
of PB plumbing installation |
Within 14 years of PB plumbing installation |
Single Units (single family, modulars, townhomes,
condos, duplexes, triplexes, and quads) with Metal insert fittings |
From August 21, 1995 and within 16 years
of PB plumbing installation or 1/31/2009, whichever is earlier |
Within 17 years of PB plumbing installation or
5/1/2009, whichever is earlier |
Apartment Buildings and Commercial or public
structures with Acetal or Metal insert fittings |
From August 21, 1995 and with 13 years
of PB plumbing installation |
Within 14 years of PB plumbing installation |
ELIGIBLE PIPES and INSERT FITTINGS USED in POLYBUTYLENE SYSTEMS
Polybutylene Plumbing System: Polybutylene pipe with plastic or metal fittings Polybutylene Yard
Service Line: Polybutylene pipe utilizing any kind of fitting

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ACETAL PLASTIC INSERT FITTINGS - REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE These are typically gray or white
in color with a dull finish. Most are shown with pipe attached. Figure (4) is a new fitting
Pipe and fittings
may be located at the water heater, behind walls, attic and other areas.
If
you have this product in your home, see eligibility periods and filing deadlines.
METAL INSERT FITTINGS These
are typically made of copper or brass. New fittings are shown in (11 and 12)

POLYBUTELENE PIPE Yard Service
Line is typically blue (13), gray (14), or black (15). Inside Pipe is typically gray (14) or black (15) Note that polybutylene
pipe marked "PB 2110 M" is excluded.
EXCLUDED PIPES and COMPONENTS
Note the exceptions explained below

VALVES
- Typically
found under sinks and toilets, are excluded. Exceptions: If a wall must be cut to
access the leak.

ADAPTORS
- Typically
used to connect polybutylene pipe to fixtures are excluded. Exceptions: If a wall must
be cut to access the leak.

OTHER EXCLUDED FITTINGS -
Homes that have been originally plumbed with polybutylene pipe with the above fittings are NOT eligible. Exceptions: If installed during a previous repair of the
plumbing system.

MANUFACTURED
MANIFOLDS These may be either metal
(19) or plastic (20,21)

PIPES
and RISERS - A riser (22) is a pipe
running from a sink, toilet, or other fixture to a valve. Excluded pipe may be white PVC (23), black polyethylene (24),
cream CPVC (25), or gray polybutylene pipe marked "PB 2110 M" (26)
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Call: Paul King 704-467-7328 (INSPECT)
1820 Sunnyside Ave. Charlotte, NC 28204 & 201 Tom Hall St.
#236 Fort Mill, SC 29715 704-307-2537-Fax
Professional, detailed, thorough home
inspections in Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews, Mint Hill, Weddington, Huntersville, Lake Norman, Waxhaw, Monroe,
and Marvin, North Carolina as well as Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Indian Land, York, Clover, and
Lancaster, South Carolina.
Copyright © 2003-2008
King Construction, Inc. dba Inspector Paul
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