Homes built prior to 1975 were created with cast iron pipes. Now, homeowners are experiencing major problems.
Prior to 1975, the pipes used when building homes were largely made out of cast iron. At the time, this seemed the safest choice. Cast iron is incredibly sturdy, and the pipes were positioned away and down from a home, so that any excess water and sewage would not affect the home. Now, however, there are many problems associated with cast iron pipes. They are beginning to corrode and crack, and this is a major problem. For a homeowner, it could mean thousands of dollars in repairs. For Florida and the planet in general, it means that sewage is seeping into groundwater, which is extremely harmful.
Problems Homeowners May Experience with Cast Iron Pipes
There are many problems homeowners experience with cast iron pipes. Due to the fact that the pipes do not drain properly, they can lead to leaks, which result in high water bills. Some homeowners have found that their pipes are simply not draining because the pipes corrode so badly, they eventually close shut.
Interestingly, Florida is one of only a few states that experience this problem with cast iron pipes. Many other states have historically used cast iron pipes during home construction, and those homeowners experience few problems today. However, the water and soil is particularly corrosive. This means that the soil outside of the pipes are corroding them, while at the same time, water on the inside of the pipes is also corroding them.
This is what causes such significant problems for homeowners. That problem is compounded due to the fact that homeowners are often not aware of the problem right away. The pipes are under the flooring and so, homeowners cannot see corrosion. By the time they understand that there is a problem, it is often going to cost them even more than if they had caught the problem sooner.
Lawsuits Due to Cast Iron Pipes
The problem with cast iron pipes has gotten so bad in Florida that many homeowners are pursuing lawsuits. A group has even joined together to pursue a class-action lawsuit. Unlike other personal injury claims, these lawsuits are not based on negligence. Instead, they are based on the fact that most insurance companies act in bad faith.
Insurance companies can be held liable for replacing the pipes when they are causing a homeowner or business owner problems. Most policies have these provisions included in them. However, the cost of this repair is $50,000 to $150,000 and most insurance companies do not want to pay it. As such, they try to back out of the policy and do not cover the cost. When this happens, homeowners and business owners can file a lawsuit against the insurance company.
Our Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Will Hold Insurance Companies Accountable
When something goes wrong with a home, insurance companies should provide the coverage they promised. When they fail to do so, they can be held accountable, and our Boca Raton personal injury lawyers can help you do it. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, we know how to hold insurance companies liable for fulfilling their portion of an agreement, and to get homeowners the compensation they need. If you are having problems with your cast iron pipes, call us today at (561) 995-1966 to schedule a free case review with one of our attorneys.