by admin | Jul 9, 2012 | Home Maintenance, Home Repair, Plumbing
Compliments of www.cameronpaine.com
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Source: The Windsor Star – June 29, 2011
A family rocked by a $13,000 plumbing bill is warning people to beware of potentially faulty plumbing lurking behind the walls of homes built or renovated in the last two decades.
Frank and Annette Cappellino built their dream home in LaSalle, near Windsor, Ont., about 10 years ago. Last fall, the Cappellinos came home to a flood in their basement.
“Water was just spewing out like a waterfall,” said Frank Cappellino. “A pipe had totally burst.”
Cappellino said after a home inspection by a plumbing distributor and a representative of the Canadian manufacturer IPEX, the rep told him the cause of the leak was defective pipes branded under the name Kitec — pipes that were running throughout the house.
“He said he had to take a part of it back to his company to get it tested but indicated that if it was his pipe, basically he would have it replaced,” Cappellino said.
The Cappellinos contacted the company to find out the testing results, but said they were told they couldn’t have a copy of the report because a class action lawsuit was underway. IPEX provided the Cappellinos with the name of the Windsor law firm leading the suit. Cappellino said they joined the legal fight shortly thereafter.
On Tuesday, lawyers for IPEX Inc. and IPEX USA LLC announced they had reached an agreement in the lawsuit, and that a $125-million US settlement fund has been proposed.
Product used extensively
Another family, whose home was built the same year as the Cappellinos, also ended up replacing all the pipes in their home at their own expense, after finding issues with their Kitec pipes, manufactured by IPEX.
Plumbers in the region have been getting more and more calls about the Kitec brand of pipe, also known as PEX.
According to Kyle Fowler, co-owner of Fowler Plumbing in Windsor, if you built or remodelled your home in the last decade or so, it’s likely Kitec pipes were used. He said he gets at least one call a week that turns out to be Kitec-related, and he said the plumbing system was used in most of the newer subdivisions.
“I even have some in my house,” Fowler said. “Because we didn’t know. We thought it was good.”
Cappellino shows the Kitec hot water pipe that burst last fall. Karen Brady/CBCThe Kitec plumbing system consists of blue and orange flexible piping and brass fittings, used to carry cold and hot water through a home. Kitec products were also used in radiant heating systems.
The pipes were made from polyethylene and a thin inner layer of aluminum, and plumbers considered them to be an excellent product because they were cheaper than copper and their flexible nature made the product easy to install.
The class action lawsuits in Canada and the U.S. allege that the product was negligently manufactured, which caused the pipes to disintegrate prematurely.
The pipes were sold from 1995 to 2007, and potential claims have been filed by residents of Alberta, B.C., Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, according to Dave Robins, the lawyer representing Canadians in the class action lawsuit.
Kitec was sold under various brand names, including Kitec, PlumbBetter, IPEX, AQUA, WARMRITE, Kitec XPA, AmbioComfort, XPA, KERR Controls and Plomberie Amelioree.
Fittings recalled in 2005
In 2005, IPEX recalled brass compression fittings from Canadian and U.S. distributors. The Canadian statement of claim alleged the fittings were faulty causing pipes to disintegrate. Plumbers say the brass reacted with the chemical composition of the pipe, causing it to corrode, or “dezincify,” and fail.
Tim Tiegs, a faculty co-ordinator for the skilled trades programs at St. Clair College in Windsor, said the only way for homeowners to make sure the allegedly faulty pipes don’t turn into costly water damage claims is to have them replaced.
“Most of what I’ve read and heard is the fact that if you have it, you need to replace it … that it’s gone from whether or not it will fail, to when it will fail,” said Tiegs.
Fowler said replacing pipes usually means cutting open walls — a costly repair.
“It’s the only way to absolutely guarantee that you’re not going to have any trouble, because you can fix leaks but that’s just the start. It will go through the whole house eventually,” he said.
Tiegs said at the very least, homeowners with Kitec plumbing systems should have a trusted plumber check out the condition of the pipes and fittings.
Property owners and those looking to buy a home should also be aware of the possibility of problems insuring homes if the plumbing is found to be faulty, he said.
Settlement agreement reached
Nicholas Rosati of Windsor and Anthony Bellissimo of Toronto initiated the Canadian class action lawsuit, which was certified in February. There are two suits in Canada — one for Quebec and one covering the rest of the country. A multi-district class action suit was initiated against IPEX in the U.S. as well.
A settlement agreement was reached Tuesday.
A statement issued jointly by the lawyers of the Canadian and American plaintiffs said:
“IPEX denies these allegations and asserts that the Kitec system is not defective and that the vast majority of the systems will last throughout the warranty period [30 years]. The parties have agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense, inconvenience and distraction of further protracted litigation and to fully resolve this matter.”
IPEX Inc., which has offices in Toronto and Verdun, Que., refused to comment on the allegations about the company’s products or the lawsuit when contacted by CBC News.
Canadian lawyer Robins said the settlement fund will be open to claims for eight years “because the prospect of the product failing could materialize over some time.”
The settlement agreement still has to be approved in court, he said. None of the allegations against IPEX have been proven in court.
by admin | Jan 4, 2012 | Blog, Home Maintenance, Mold, Plumbing, Saftey
Avoiding Basement Flooding
Compliments of www.cameronpaine.com
Basement flooding is unfortunately a common occurrence in many parts of Canada. But the good news is that many types of basement flooding may be avoided. This publication explains some of the practical steps you can take to avoid basement flooding.
How Serious Is Basement Flooding?
Basement flooding is now being recognized as a potentially serious problem. There are many negative consequences associated with basement flooding, above and beyond the inconvenient mess and disruption of household routine. Research cites the following impacts:
- Chronically wet houses are linked to an increase in respiratory problems.
- Frequent occurrences of basement flooding can result in long-term damage to the building and equipment that may not be covered by insurance.
- Insurance rates may rise to compensate for repeated basement flooding claims, and/or the minimum deductible may be increased significantly.
- Property value may depreciate because the basement is prone to frequent flooding.
Before appropriate measures can be taken, it is important to identify the causes of basement flooding. These range from problems originating in the individual dwelling to problems associated with the municipal sewer systems that serve entire communities.
Why Do Basements Flood?
Water can enter your basement for a number of reasons. Water in your basement is most likely to occur during periods of heavy rainfall, or when snow is melting rapidly during a spring thaw. In these cases, your basement can be wet because of:
- a leak or crack in your home’s basement walls;
- poor lot drainage;
- failure of the weeping tiles (foundation drains); and
- overflowing eavestroughs or leaking/plugged downspouts.
Basement flooding may also occur because of:
- a blocked connection between your home and the main sewer in the street;
- a back-up of wastewater in the sewer system (or a combination of wastewater and rainwater from the sanitary or combined sewer system); and
- failure of a sump pump (in some areas) used to pump weeping tile water.
Basements are also vulnerable to natural river flooding disasters, but these cannot be addressed by individual homeowners.
Flooding Basics
Municipalities attempt to prevent flooding by maintaining the public sewer system. Homeowners with private sewage systems (septic tank and field bed) can appreciate the need for regular maintenance, but unforeseen or accidental problems can occur in any type of system. Here is some municipal infrastructure terminology you should know:
Sanitary Sewer
A sanitary sewer is a pipe buried beneath the street that is designed to transport wastewater from your home. This consists of water from sanitary fixtures (toilets, sinks, etc.) and floor drains inside your house, and in some areas includes groundwater from weeping tiles around the foundation of your home.
Storm Sewer
A storm sewer is a pipe buried beneath the street that is designed to carry storm-related water runoff. Storm sewers are normally much larger than sanitary sewers because they are designed to carry much larger amounts of flow.
Figure 1 — Types of sewer systems serving houses in Canada
Sewer Backup
Extra storm-related water (from sources other than wastewater and groundwater) should flow into the storm sewer or soak slowly into the ground without entering the sanitary sewer. If excess storm water does enter the sanitary sewer system, it can overload this kind of system.
When the sewers are overloaded, the water level in the system rises above normal design levels, and this condition is referred to as “surcharge.” Basement flooding can occur if the home has sanitary fixtures or floor drains below the surcharge level (Figure 2).
Figure 2 — Basement flooding due to combined sewer backup
Practical Measures to Avoid Basement Flooding
Basement flooding problems are best diagnosed by working your way down from the eavestroughs and downspouts, to the lot and foundation drainage, and then to the plumbing system — both inside your home and beyond its connection to the municipal sewer system.
Eavestroughs and Downspouts
Water pours out of your eavestroughs into downspouts. If the downspouts are dumping the water right beside your foundation, it drains directly to the weeping tile and can easily overload your home’s drainage. Make sure downspouts extend at least 1.8 m (6 ft.) from your basement wall. Also, be sure the water does not drain toward your neighbour’s basement walls. It should drain away from your house toward the street, rear yard, or back lane. If your downspouts are connected to your home’s sewer system, or weeping tile, disconnect them.
Clean debris from eavestroughs regularly. If they overflow even when clean, replace them with larger size eavestroughs and downspouts.
Lot Grading
If the land around your home slopes in toward the foundation, rainwater heads right for the weeping tile around the basement and can overload your foundation drainage system. The land around many homes settles over time, and then slopes in toward the foundation. If your lot slopes inward, you’ll want to fill in and grade the lot so that, for at least 1.8 m (6 ft.) out from around the foundation, the land slopes away from your house.
Build up the ground around your house so that water drains away from your basement walls. Also, examine sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways. These can settle over time and cause water to drain back towards your basement walls (Figure 3).
Figure 3 — Grading and planting
Extend downspouts so that water flows away from your house and does not collect next to the basement walls and windows.
Proper drainage helps to:
- reduce the amount of water flowing to your home’s sewer system and to the main sewer system, and lessen the risk of sewer backup;
- reduce water seepage into your home through basement windows and cracks in your basement walls;
- keep the moisture content of the soil around and under your house stable to reduce the chances of cracking and shifting. If water collects next to your basement, it can make its way to the footings that support the basement walls. The increased moisture may cause the footings to heave or settle; and
- extend the life of your sump pump by reducing the amount of work it has to do.
Be sure that any drainage improvements you make do not cause water to flow onto your neighbour’s property.
Floodproofing Devices
If your home drainage system or the neighbourhood’s drainage system overloads, you may still be able to prevent rain water and sewage from backing up into your basement by installing one or more floodproofing devices, such as sump pumps or back flow valves. Each installation is unique and some devices (back flow valves) may require a plumbing permit. Check with your municipal office or a qualified plumber before you proceed with any installation
Sump Pit Drainage System
A sump pit drainage system includes a sump pit, a sump pump and a discharge pipe. The sump pit, set into the basement floor, collects water from the weeping tiles around your basement. The pump pushes the water outside your house through the discharge pipe (Figure 4).
Figure 4 — Typical sump pump installation
Place your sump pump discharge pipe so that it:
- drains somewhere onto your property where water can be absorbed, such as your lawn or flower bed; and
- does not direct water onto neighbouring properties, lanes, sidewalks, or streets.
Sump Pit
- Clean the pit each year after freeze-up. Weeping tile drainage may carry small amounts of soil, sand and debris into the pit from around your basement foundation.
- Some water may remain in the pit and cause a musty smell if it sits for a long time. If so, you can flush the pit by adding fresh water until the pump removes the stale water.
Sump Pump
- Check and test your pump each spring before the rainy season begins, and before you leave your house for a long time. Pour water into the pit to trigger the pump to operate.
- Remove and thoroughly clean the pump at least once a year. Disconnect the pump from the power source before you handle or clean it.
- Check the pit every so often to ensure it is free of debris. Most pumps have a screen that covers the water intake. You must keep this screen clean.
Sump Pump Discharge Pipe
- Check the place where the discharge pipe leaves the house. If the pipe is discharging right against the basement wall, the water will drain down into the weeping tiles and continue to recycle through the system.
- Check the discharge point regularly to make sure that nothing is blocking the flow.
- If your pump runs frequently in the winter, and the resulting ice is causing hazardous conditions on the lawn and sidewalks, call your municipal office.
Backwater Valve
A backwater valve is a device that prevents sewage in an overloaded main sewer line from backing up into your basement. The valve automatically closes if sewage backs up from the main sewer (Figure 5). A properly installed backwater valve must be placed so that sewage backup will be stopped and not come out through other outlets in your basement, such as sinks, toilets, showers and laundry tubs.
- Make sure that you can get at the valve at all times.
- Check the valve regularly and remove any material that may prevent the valve from operating properly.
You will normally require a permit and inspection to install a back flow valve and sump pit. Since part of the basement floor will be dug up and since proper placement of these items is important, we recommend that you use a qualified plumbing contractor.
Figure 5 — Back flow valves and sump pumps are effective means of avoiding basement flooding
Additional Protection Measures
There are also several additional flood protection measures that may be considered.
Plumbing Fixture Maintenance
Have a qualified plumber inspect all floodproofing devices and plumbing fixtures (i.e. sump pumps, backwater valves, floor drains, etc.) regularly to ensure proper operation. Check the operating instructions for more detailed information and safety guidelines, or ask your plumber to explain the details of your system to you.
Backup Sump Pump
Severe storms are often accompanied by power blackouts. A battery powered backup sump pump may be a prudent investment. Most pumps are made to fit in beside the main sump pump and also have an audible alarm that warns the main pump has failed so that you can attend to its repair or replacement. There are also water powered backup sump pumps available that run by water flowing through the pump impeller.
Basement Finishes and Furnishings
In the event a risk of basement flooding is still possible, it is advisable to install impermeable floor and wall finishes, such as ceramic tile, to lessen damage and make cleanup easier. Make sure basement furniture has legs that keep the furniture fabrics above any accumulated flood water. Area rugs are a good alternative to full broadloom as these can be removed and properly cleaned in the event of flood damage.
Insurance — Just in Case
Insurance that fully covers basement flooding damage is an important means of financial protection to homeowners.
Most policies include or can include coverage for damage caused by sewer back-up. Make sure your policy includes sewer back-up insurance.
Check regularly with your insurance agent or broker to ensure you have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage, including any extensions in coverage that may be available, which were not previously attached.
Keep a detailed inventory of your residence. It will be invaluable in the event of loss.
Make sure your insurance policies and related records are in a safe location and easily available after an emergency or disaster event.
Acknowledgements
CMHC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of numerous Canadian municipalities to this publication. All of their public information bulletins were consulted during the development of this publication. Their assistance and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
Last revised: 2011.
