Problems in the Pipes

Water causes exceptional damage when it leaks from plumbing systems. In a residence, a water leak can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages; in high-rise residential or industrial buildings it can lead to millions. Forty years ago most plumbing systems were built with steel or copper piping systems, and with relatively simple fixtures and fitting systems. Today, plumbing systems may be PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride), PEX (Crosslinked Polyethyelene), PB (Polybutylene) PVC or other plastic systems. Fittings, which were typically soldered or threaded, are now “push to connect,” PEX/PB barb, rolled groove, flanged, compression or solvent cemented. Fixtures may be pressure-balanced, temperature compensating, automatic, and/or employ a variety of alloys and plastics which were uncommon in plumbing systems even twenty years ago. Increasingly, low cost/low quality fittings are being imported from overseas. High style fixtures are being imported from Europe, which may not be suitable for use in our plumbing systems and additionally may not be certified for use in Canada. Companies are introducing new systems and products at an almost alarming rate. As a result, mechanical system designers, plumbers, and mechanical/HVAC contractors are overloaded with choices of systems, fittings and fixtures.    

Increase in failure rates

The net result of all these new plumbing products has been an increase in product related failures within the construction industry. These failures have ranged from failures of flexible toilet connector hose nuts to failures of entire piping systems. Manufacturers touted PB piping as the next wave in plumbing in the 1980s; it was flexible, easy to install and offered a lower overall installation cost. Five to 10 years later, PB systems began to fail at an alarming rate. It was found that the chlorine in drinking water had been attacking the fittings and piping, leading to early failures. PEX-Al-PEX (PEX piping with an aluminum layer) was launched as the best plumbing product yet in the 1990s. It was flexible, kept its shape once formed and was easily installed. This product was subsequently pulled from the market due to leaks and, as a result, many homes had to have their piping replaced. Low-cost flexible toilet connector hoses began to be imported into Canada around 2002. These hoses have since failed at a very high rate, leading to water damage in many homes. Many of these have failed due to poor manufacturing quality and a poor choice of plastic for the attachment nuts. In addition, design, manufacturing and material defects in numerous plumbing fixtures and fittings have been found.      

Document the failure

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the sudden surge in the variety of the plumbing systems and products available is the relatively short period of time the industry has worked with these systems/products. How will these products perform after ten, twenty-five or fifty years in service? The previous experiences with PB, PEX-Al-PEX and numerous fixture/fittings designs have shown that we cannot fully anticipate how well new plumbing systems/fixtures/fittings will perform. The net result is that plumbing system failures are likely to continue to be an issue and product liability suits will ensue. In the case of a plumbing product failure it is essential to adequately document the failure and collect evidence. A plumbing product failure may be related to the environment in which the product is installed. Water quality or exposure to sunlight/chemicals may contribute to the failure. A failure may also be related to the orientation of the piping, the type and material of adjacent piping/fittings, and/or water pressure. The collection of a water sample from the piping, photography of the piping as installed and water pressure measurements should be performed whenever possible. When removing the failed product, try not to disturb or rotate any adjacent fittings, piping, etc. When possible, cut the piping well beyond the failure point and include any fittings to which the incident product was attached. Product liability can be difficult to prove and a well-documented failure is much easier to subrogate/litigate.   

Plumbing product failures are common and are likely to become even more common. When product liability is suspected, photograph the installation, measure the water pressure, sample the water and carefully remove the product as evidence.  Also, be sure to involve a forensics engineer early in the investigation to help collect and document the evidence as well as report on the cause of the failure.      

Robert Sparling is a senior associate with Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering.