: I have PB in my Marlette Mobile home that was manufactured in Sept. 1983. The house was installed on site in 1984, and lived in for 2 years by the previous owner. It then stood empty for 2 years when I purchased it 19 Oct. 1988. During this time, a break in the plumbing occurred and was fixed by the realtor, with nothing being done about a claim. (Maybe then they didnt know about the faults of PB). We lived here for about 6-1/2 years when we realized that the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom floors were becoming increasingly soft and springy. All three rooms had to be completely gutted and replaced due to the leak and the improber way in which it had been repaired. Insurance would not pay because they did not insure the home at the time of original damage. I did file papers against PB. In 1997, after approximately one year of a very slow, very high temp. water leak, both bathrooms and the 2nd bedroom floors began to crumble and collaps. Again a problem with the pipes. Again I filed papers with PB. Now here it is 1999 and I am in the process of again having to replace floors and vinyl due to a leak. This time when I called the PB hotline, I was told my house didnt qualify because it was installed prior to 10 years before my first claim in 1995. DO I OR DO I NOT HAVE ANY GROUND TO STAND ON IN GETTING PLUMBING REPLACED OR SOME HELP IN GETTING IT DONE??? PLEASE ANSWER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, OR GIVE ME AN ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER OF SOMEONE I CAN CALL.: Thank you in advance for reading all of this and any help you can give me. I am at my wits end.You seems to be having a problem that many are now expierencing. All information aside let me inform you of the settlements criteria. The settlement states that if you have a mobile home with plastic or metal fittings you must expierence a leak within 10 years of the PBs original installation and you must file your claim within 11 years of the same. Example: 1987 Mobile Home with PB. A leak must occur by the end of 1997 & the homeowner must file a claim by the end of 1998. If you feel that you are still not eligible for the Cox vs. Shell Oil settlement then you should have a look at two different sites. 1. http://www.spencerclass.com – This site has information regarding an additional settlement set up through DuPont that gives owners the chance to qualify for 10% reimbursement of the plumbing replacement cost & 10% reimbursement of any damages casued by past leaks. 2. http://www.plumbing911.com – By far the most informative site on the net pertaining to polybutylene and the nightmares that come along with it. You should speak to Dan Johnston at http://www.plumbing911.com and he will be able to step you through the spencer class proceedings or answer any other questions you may have about poly. I also will be standing by if you or any other homeowners have questions. You can email me at http://www.precise@looksmart.com. I hope this information has helped and look forward to helping you in the future.
