Water Supply Line Class Action Lawsuits for Leaks, Burst Lines

Attorneys are investigating class action lawsuits against EZ-Flo International and other water supply line manufacturers.

It has been alleged that certain companies constructed their water supply lines using low-grade materials and, as a result, the lines are breaking before they should. Property owners across the country have complained that water supply lines in their homes and businesses suddenly burst, causing leaks, floods and property damage. They claim that the broken supply lines not only cost them thousands in water damage repairs, but also put them at risk for electrocution when the standing water came into contact with electrical components on their properties.

Attorneys have already filed lawsuits against several supply line manufacturers, including EZ-Flo International,and believe that additional companies can be sued. If you’ve had problems with your water supply lines, you may be entitled to compensation for any property damage caused by your water supply lines.

EZ-Flo Sued Over Leaking Water Supply Lines

In March 2015, a class action was filed against EZ-Flo alleging that the company's braided steel water supply hoses are defective because they "leak and burst, creating the potential for catastrophic flooding and property damage." According to the suit, EZ-Flo knows about the alleged defect and still continues to sell the products, which are already installed in thousands of properties across the country. The EZ-Flo products in question may be sold under the "Eastman" brand and with "Lifetime Guarantee" or "Lifetime Series" labels.

The lawsuit claims that the design of EZ-Flo's braided hoses allows the metallic insert used to secure the coupling nut to cut or damage the hose rubber. This may happen even with normal water pressure, resulting in leaks and burst hoses, according to the lawsuit. Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for property damage and an order stopping EZ-Flo from continuing to sell the affected products.

Other Water Supply Line Companies Facing Lawsuits

Fluidmaster, Inc. and Watts Water Technologies are also facing class action suits that claim their lines suffer from inherent design defects that allow water and other liquids to become trapped between the stainless steel and inner flexible tubing. As a result, the steel may corrode and fail if common household cleaners containing bleach or chloride come into contact with the lines. Furthermore, these lines may become even more susceptible to breaking, bursting or failing under normal use if parts, such as the inner tubing and coupling nuts, are made using low-quality materials.

Fluidmaster, Inc.

Fluidmaster, one of the largest suppliers of water supply lines, is currently facing class action lawsuits over its allegedly defective “no-burst” braided stainless steel lines. According to the lawsuit, these lines are not only defective because their braided nature makes them susceptible to corrosion, but also because Fluidmaster used low-grade materials when manufacturing the inner tubing and coupling nuts on its products. Property owners allege that, as a result, their Fluidmaster “no-burst” supply lines suddenly broke and that they had to spend between $15,000 and $60,000 repairing the damage.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege that the inner tube beneath the stainless steel was made with low pressure-rated tubing that can rupture if support from the exterior steel braiding is compromised. Furthermore, the plaintiffs claim that Fluidmaster changed its metal coupling nuts to cheaper, acetal nuts to cut their costs despite the fact that these plastic parts are prone to stress fractures under normal use.

Fluidmaster allegedly knew about problems with its “no-burst” stainless steel braided lines since at least 2003 when the company changed the design of its lines, according to the lawsuit. That year, Fluidmaster allegedly changed the inner tubing of its supply lines so that they could withstand greater amounts of pressure should the exterior braided steel corrode; however, the company never issued a recall for the lines containing lower pressure-rated tubing, and the plaintiffs claim that these products are still being sold and installed in homes and businesses across the country.

Watts Water Technologies, Inc.

In December 2014, Watts was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that its braided stainless steel water supply lines – which connect under the sink, as well as to dishwashers, hot water heaters and other household appliances – are defective.

According to the lawsuit, Watts uses inferior materials for the inner tubing of these lines, which can degrade or fail when exposed to high temperatures and chemicals commonly found in a property’s water supply. The plaintiff alleges that, as a result, the supply lines in her home burst just two years after they were installed and that she had to pay $2,500 to repair damaged property. The lawsuit seeks to provide property owners across the country with compensation for their Watts stainless steel supply lines and for any damage stemming from a leak.

Previously, in April 2014, Watts agreed to settle a class action lawsuit over similar problems with its toilet supply lines. According to that lawsuit, the coupling nuts on Watts’ toilet supply lines were made with cheap, acetal plastic that was designed and molded contrary to engineering best practices, which caused the coupling nuts to crack under normal water pressure and leak. Under the settlement, Watts provided compensation for property owners whose toilet supply lines ruptured and caused water damage; however, the settlement only covered this specific type of supply line, which is why an additional lawsuit was filed later in the year seeking compensation for property owners with any other Watts’ stainless steel supply line.

Other Brands Under Investigation for Similar Problems

Attorneys believe that the defect alleged in the suits against EZ-Flo, Fluidmaster and Watts may be present in a number of other manufacturers’ supply lines. If this is the case, new lawsuits could be filed against other companies. Because of the nature of the alleged defect in both Fluidmaster, EZ-Flo and Watts brand supply lines, attorneys are investigating whether other manufacturers, who may use similar materials and techniques to produce their own supply lines, could face lawsuits.

Some braided line makers, including DuraPro and BrassCraft Manufacturing Company, have already faced lawsuits from insurance companies who, having paid out insurance money for property damage caused by flooding and leaks, believe the companies are responsible. In one case, a property suffered $416,000 in damage, allegedly because of defective BrassCraft water supply lines.

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