Polybutylene Pipe ("gray pipe"): Class Action Settlement

Polybutylene pipe is a flexible pipe that was used in water-supply plumbing systems inside homes from the mid to late ‘70s to the mid ‘90s. The pipe is often gray but may also be silver or black. If used in underground water service to your house, it may be blue, gray, or black.

Later corrections to installations (copper fittings) are less problematic.

You can also get more information at the following web sites:
http://www.pbpipe.com, http://www.spencerclass.com, or by calling (800) 490-6997 or (800) 392-7591.

Crawlspace Ventilation:

During hot and humid weather, the warm moist air that migrates into the crawlspaces and through the vents is condensing (turning into water) in the metal ductwork, duct insulation, floor joists, floor insulation, and the curtain walls. This water can rust and damage ductwork. The moisture contributes to rot, mold, mildew, and fungus growth.

Radon:

Radon, an odorless and colorless gas from decaying uranium, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Areas of most concern in North Carolina are Wake County and the counties to the west of Wake County, particularly the mountainous areas. More information can be found on our links page.

Household Mold:

Stachybotrys atra (pronounced Stack-ee-BOT-ris) is an especially lethal mold. Studies have shown that people with prolonged exposure to this and other fungi experienced chronic fatigue, loss of balance, irritability, memory loss, and difficulty of breathing. A 1999 Mayo Clinic study attributed nearly all the chronic sinus infections afflicting 37 million Americans to mold. Recent studies also have linked molds to the tripling of the asthma rate over the past 20 years.

How common are these molds? A 1994 Harvard University study of 10,000 homes in the United States and Canada found half had "conditions of water damage and mold associated with the 50 to 100% increase in respiratory symptoms".

When molds grow, it’s usually in damp places, behind walls and under floors, above ceiling tiles or behind shower walls; wherever there are wet cellulose materials they can feed on, such as wood, ceiling tiles, areas become completely saturated, that’s when a more lethal mold, such as Stachybotrys, can move in.

New houses are more prone to mold problems than older houses because of modern home design and materials used, the way insulation can trap moisture behind walls, and because the airtight construction allows air-conditioning and heating systems to recirculate contaminated air. However, a bad leak in any house anywhere in the country can cause a mold problem if not properly taken care of as soon as possible.

How to Protect your home from Unhealthful Molds:

• Keep water out. Fix any leaks within 24 hours. Drain and dry the crawlspace.
• Be on the lookout for discoloration of walls, ceiling, or anything made of wood or paper. Mold growth can be almost any color: white, black, green, fluorescent.
• Look behind cabinets or pictures on cold outside walls, where condensation can occur. Keep furniture away from outside walls.
• Check around air handling units (air conditioners, furnaces) for stagnant water. Keep these units serviced with regular cleaning of ducts and air filters.
• Be aware of odors. Mildew can be pungent, or "aromatic".
• Know the symptoms of mold-related illness, which can range from chronic sinus infections and asthma to nosebleeds, extreme fatigue, severe headaches, dizziness, rashes, and central nervous system problems.

Miscellaneous Information:

Septic tanks should be pumped every 3 to 5 years depending on usage. Systems with a pump should be cleaned every year.

Water purity, mold, and radon testing can be done by us for additional fees.

Homes built prior to 1978 probably contain lead-based paint.

Homes containing aluminum branch circuit wiring may need checking by a licensed electrician. Single-strand aluminum branch circuits may be potential fire hazard.

GFCIs are ultrasentitive anti-shock devices.

Homes with range vent hoods not vented to the outside often set off smoke detectors.

Fireplaces, when in use, should be professionally cleaned on a yearly basis.

Ventless fireplaces should be monitored carefully and used sparingly. Be sure to read all directions.