Click here for Another Update, Part 1

Click here for Another Update, Part 2

REHAU

We are still awaiting for some announcement from Pulte/REHAU on efforts to address the failure of the REHAU plumbing system in Phase 2 homes that were constructed in the 2003-05 period. The word on the street, although unconfirmed, is that there are plans to replace REHAU's copper manifolds & brass fittings with WIRSBO's plastic manifolds and fittings.

It's the Water, Dummy! REHAU to Test the Water.

A while back we made some fun of the idea that the water was at the root of our plumbing problem. While most seem ready to blame the water, there has been no hard evidence to demonstrate just how the water may be contributing to our plumbing woes. We may have some information on this subject in the near future if REHAU will make available data that will be forthcoming from laboratory tests that are being conducted on numerous samples of water REHAU took from homes in the community.

Wirsbo

Wirsbo’s Las Vegas manufacturing representative told me that they expect delivery of their new 1/2" DZR fittings by the week of 19 March.

American Leak Detection.

American Leak Detection has written to advise that they expect to be the first company in Nevada to use Wirsbo's new 1/2" DZR fittings in their re-plumbing efforts. Also, Keith Ozawa, owner of ALD, tells us that he now has 10 crews working.

Vanguard Pipe

The familiar Vanguard website is gone. It has been replaced by Vanguard's "new" owner, Viega, which purchased Vanguard in 2005. http://www.viega-na.com/

The Vanguard Warranty

If a plumber uses copper sweat fittings supplied by a company other than Vanguard (Viega), such as Sioux Chief, will such use affect Vanguard's limited 10-year warranty? To find out, we have written to Vanguard's headquarters and asked for a written response from a company official who can commit the company.

Is a Copper Repipe the Best Solution to Our Plumbing Problem?

Some homeowners have adopted an all copper repipe solution. With copper running into locality problems with water issues in parts of California and Florida, is copper the best alternative here? Can we be assured that the type of water problems that exists elsewhere are not present here? Some who have seriously looked into this matter say, "Yes," that Nevada water is copper friendly.

What is the criteria is used or test can be administered that would demonstrate that Nevada water is copper friendly? Perhaps more importantly, whereas copper can be readily used in new construction, can copper be successfully used in a repiping project where some flexibility in routing lines may be difficult at best?

And finally, of the three copper pipe grades, what grade copper is best suited for repiping together with reliability and longevity?

Ron Johnson, 6 March 2007