This class action centers on allegations that certain NIBCO plumbing components—PEX 1006 tubing, ASTM F1807 yellow-brass fittings, and related stainless-steel clamps used in homes—were defectively designed or manufactured and were more likely to leak than consumers and builders reasonably expected. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) became popular in residential plumbing over the last two decades because it’s flexible, faster to install than copper, and generally corrosion-resistant, but failures at connection points or due to material degradation can lead to sudden leaks and expensive water damage. The settlement targets owners or occupants of residential structures in specified areas of Alabama and Texas whose systems contained these products and experienced a “qualifying leak” causing physical water escape and property damage. The lawsuit was filed to recover out-of-pocket costs for repairs, mitigation, and resulting damage (and, in some cases, partial re-plumbing) after plaintiffs claimed the products were prone to premature failure; NIBCO denies wrongdoing but agreed to a $7.65 million settlement to resolve the dispute. Eligible claimants can seek up to 75% of reasonably documented damages for past and future property damage, and re-plumb payments capped per fixture, but must submit proof by the May 16, 2025 deadline—highlighting how product-liability class actions often turn on documentation like invoices, plumber reports, photos, and insurance records. More broadly, the case fits a recurring pattern in the plumbing industry where large-scale claims arise around polymer piping systems or brass fittings (often involving cracking, dezincification, or stress-related failures), and it underscores the role of standards and building-code frameworks—such as ASTM specifications for fittings and the model plumbing codes adopted by states—in setting minimum requirements that don’t always prevent real-world performance disputes when installed across thousands of homes.