The following is a list of website links that provide information on a number of class action lawsuits and recalls regarding home defects. They provide useful articles, claim-filing instructions, as well as links to other sites for updates and explanations of settlement benefits. The following could assist potential home buyers in identifying defects, as well as current homeowners in determining eligibility under various settlement actions.
Defective GAF Roof Shingles
These sites address the nationwide class action settlement regarding defectively manufactured GAF roof shingles in Coleman, et al. V. GAF Building Materials Corporation, CV-96-0954 (Alabama Circuit Court, Mobile County). The shingles are prone to prematurely crack and deteriorate when exposed to moisture and humidity. For more information, check out these sites.
http://www.gaf.com/settlement/
http://www.inspect-ny.com/roof/shingles.html
http://www.classactionamerica.com/cases/case.asp?cid=1084
$18.6 Million Settlement for FireFree Tiles
These sites address the class action lawsuit against Re-Con Building Products, Inc, relating to the manufacture and sale of “FireFree” roofing tiles. Homes with FireFree tiles experience water leakage, surface erosion, and the softening, sponging or breaking of the tiles. If you had FireFree products installed on a home you own, or used to own, between December, 1993 and November, 1997, see the following links.
http://www.firefreeclaims.com/
http://www.classactionamerica.com/
Cladwood Siding Manufactured by Smurfit Newsprint Corporation
These sites address the nationwide class action settlement, Cave-Woods, et al. V Jefferson Smurfit Corporation and Smurfit Newsprint Corporation, No. 97-2-19958-1SEA (Washington Superior Court, King County), regarding defective Cladwood Siding. The siding tends to bow, buckle and discolor. For information on the class action settlement, check out these sites.
http://www.cladwoodclaims.com/cw-shortform.html
http://www.nefsi.org/InformationCenter/cladwood.htm
http://www.classactionamerica.com/
Marvin Windows and Doors Class Settlement Agreement
This site provides information on the approved class action settlement agreement, O’Hara, et al. v. Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company, et al., PD-00-14027 (Minnesota District Court, Hennepin County), regarding premature wood rot of Marvin door and windows manufactured between 1985 through 1989. If you are a current owner of Marvin PILT windows or doors manufactured between 1985 and 1989, you should be aware of your rights under this settlement. To view information about this class action settlement, go to this site.
http://www.windowsettlement.com/
Defective Siding
These links provide a variety of articles regarding hardboard siding, as well as general information and links to a number of siding class action settlements, such as Masonite Hardboard, Masonite Omniboard, LP siding, ABTCO/ABITIBI-PRICE and Weyerhaeuser. For more information, go to these sites.
http://www.sidingclaims.com/
http://www.masoniteclaims.com/
Recall of California Furnaces
In July, 2001, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of certain furnaces sold in California, manufactured by Consolidated Industries, Inc. The horizontal gas-fired furnaces can be identified by the steel “Nox” rods installed above the burners. The furnaces pose a substantial risk of fire. The most recent update of this recall can be found at the following site.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01189.html
Defective Galvanized Steel Plumbing
This site addresses the $41 million mediation settlement regarding defective galvanized steel plumbing. Thousands of homeowners in the Santa Clarita Valley received monetary relief to replace bad pipes in homes built from 1986 - 1994. For more information on this settlement action, go to this site.
http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20010711_plumbill.htm
Polybutylene Plumbing
These sites address the Cox and Spencer national polybutylene plumbing class action settlements regarding defective polybutylene pipes. These pipes are typically grey or black plastic, and are prone to leak or burst. For more information regarding this class action, as well as general information on polybutylene pipes, see the following sites.
http://www.pbpipe.com/
http://www.spencerclass.com/
http://www.richardclass.com/index2.htm
http://www.terrylove.com/qest.htm
Senergy or Thoro Synthetic Stucco
The following sites provide information relating to the Senergy and Thoro class action settlement in Ruff, et al. v. Parex, et all., No. 96-CVS-0059 (N. C. Superior Court, New Hanover County), regarding moisture intrusion problems with defective Synergy Inc. or Thoro System Product, Inc. Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems ("EIFS"). To find out more information, go to these sites.
http://www.hadd.com/casuits03.html
http://www.kinsella.com/eifs/