| ABS Pipe |
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| What is ABS pipe? |
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ABS
pipe is rigid plastic pipe used to run waste drains for sinks,
tubs, showers, toilet, and washing machines. It is also
used to run vent stacks for waste drains. It is distinguishable
from typical PVC pipe by it black color and is often referred
to as "black PVC". |
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| The potential problem
with ABS pipe... |
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Five of the manufacturers of ABS pipe settled a class action
law suit filed against them for problems with pipe manufactured
between 1984 and 1990. The defective pipe tends to crack
circumferentially at or near a joint or fitting. The
cracking can potentially create leaks and cause water damage
to the structure as well as promote the growth of mold.
Not all of the
pipe manufactured between 1984 and 1990 has proven to be problematic
and it is possible that pipe manufactured during this time
frame by the involved manufacturers is performing as designed.
Below is a list of the manufacture's named in the suit and
the time frames over which they may have produced questionable
ABS piping... |
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Apache: Between November 1984 and December 1990
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Centaur:
Between January 1985 through September 1985
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Gable: Between November 1984 and December 1990
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Phoenix: Between November 1985 through September 1986
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Polaris: Between January 1984 and December 1990
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| How can I tell if I
have potentially defective ABS pipe? |
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If your house was built before 1984 you will not have the
questionable ABS pipe. If your house was built anytime
after 1984 look for rigid black plastic drain piping.
(Remember that existing stocks of pipe might have been used
even after 1990). This pipe will be one and a quarter
inches or more in diameter. ABS pipe has markings on
the outside of the pipe that include the name of the manufacturer,
references to code specifications, and a date code.
Here is where
to look:
- Attic: The
most likely place to find a long enough length of pipe
to get the required data from is in the attic.
- Under sinks: The
piece of pipe coming from the of the wall that connects
to the sink trap may be ABS. If the pipe looks molded
or is threaded, then it is not ABS pipe.
- Crawl space: If your
house has a crawl space under it, then you may find ABS
pipe underneath the house.
While your looking
in these areas be sure to check for circumferentially cracked
pipe near any fitting or joints that you may find and write
down any manufacturer's data written on the pipe. Below
are some examples of the data your looking for from the involved
manufacturers.
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| What can I do if I
have (or have had) a problem? |
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You can
get reimbursement for repairs to defective piping as part
of the settlement in the class action law suit. In order
to qualify your piping must be cracked circumferentially adjacent
to a fitting or joint, have leaked, and been manufactured
by one of the named defendants during the relevant time frame.
If you can document
previously made repairs you may also be able to get reimbursement.
You can use the claim form below to get the process started.
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absclaim.pdf
You
must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view this and
other .pdf files. You
can use the link below to download a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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