Some Leaky Pipes Eligible for Free Replacement

Property owners who purchased houses, mobile homes or other structures after January 1978 and have discovered a particular kind of plastic pipe leaking, may be eligible for a replacement plumbing system at no cost, under the terms of a class-action settlement.

The suit covers a plastic pipe called polybutylene, or PB, installed between Jan. 1, 1978, and July 31, 1995. PB systems are distinguished by flexible, gray plastic pipes joined by plastic or metal fittings held in place by small aluminum or copper bands, a little wider than a man’s wedding band.

Inside a home, the pipe is located in the attic, crawl space or water heater closet. Outside a home, the pipe is blue, gray or black, and typically is found at a water meter or pipe entry site. PB pipe should not be confused with PVC products, which are rigid and made of white plastic.

Since 1995, more than 300,000 property owners nationwide have had the plastic plumbing replaced at no cost.

For more information or to report a leaking PB pipe, call the Consumer Plumbing Recovery Center at (800) 392-7591, or visit www.pbpipe.com. The Web site provides the information needed to file a claim.