Friday, May 22, 2009 | 2:47 p.m.
This IPEX water pipe fitting was taken from a Pulte home in Anthem. The corroded fittings can cause declining water pressure and leaks.
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Attorneys in a class action plumbing defect lawsuit said they have reached tentative settlements with all but three plumbers and two builders.
Of the more than 40 home builders, plumbing contractors, distributors and related parties sued after installing Kitec brand plumbing systems in the valley, only Sharp Plumbing, Classic Plumbing, Majestic Plumbing, H&H Developments Ltd. and LBM Development Co. Inc., have yet to reach settlement agreements.
District Court Judge Timothy Williams granted the preliminary approval of 10 settlements on Wednesday and set a fairness hearing for Aug. 3, at which time the agreements could be officially accepted.
The details of the agreements were not immediately available.
Williams set a mandatory settlement conference for Tuesday for the remaining five defendants to try and reach an agreement and avoid a trial, which has been rescheduled to begin June 2.
Bill Coulthard, of the firm Kemp, Jones and Coulthard, represents the thousands of homeowners whose houses contain the Kitec system, which has leaked in some homes due to dezincification.
Dezincification is a process in which water removes zinc from brass plumbing fittings and turns it into silt that collects in the pipes. Over time, the accumulated zinc causes blockages that can potentially rupture water lines.
Coulthard said the remaining two builders and Majestic Plumbing did work on only a small number of homes in the valley.
“In the meantime, we’re working hard to continue to reach settlements where possible but also preparing our witnesses and evidence to go to trial,” Coulthard said.
Notices of the recent settlements will be mailed on Tuesday to residents for review. Residents will have until July 15 to issue written comments or objections to the preliminary deals.
IPEX, the maker of Kitec, settled its claims for $90 million in January. Several home builders appealed the settlement to the Nevada Supreme Court. A decision on whether the court will hear arguments on the appeal is pending.
The firm of Lynch, Hopper & Salzano also represents the homeowners.
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