Frequently Asked Questions |
The purpose of the Frequently Asked Questions section of our web site is to answer questions that homeowners commonly have about the Kitec settlement and replumb process. For your convenience, the questions have been categorized into the following topics:
Simply click on one of the following questions to see more information. If you have a specific question or problem that is not addressed, please contact Total Class Solutions at (800) 622-0130.
General
Who is Total Class Solutions, L.L.C.?
What is the Kitec Litigation?
Whom do I call if I have a question about the Kitec replumb process?
How do I know if I am a class member of the Kitec Litigation in Clark County?
I know someone that received a notice about a subclass settlement. Why did I not receive a notice?
How do I know if I have the Kitec product inside my house?
What do I have to do to qualify for a replumb?
There are people in my neighborhood already getting a replumb. I have mailed my claim form. Why has my replumb not been scheduled?
Emergency Leaks
What do I do if I have a leak in my home after my subclass settlement has been approved but before I have received a replumb?
What if my leak is after normal business hours?
The Replumb Process
What time do I anticipate the plumbers to arrive?
When will I receive my replumb?
Can I choose my plumbing contractor to do my replumb?
What type of plumbing product will be used in my home?
Will I be able to remain in my home while the replumb takes place?
What if I or a family member has a health condition; and cannot be in the home during the replumb, can we stay in a hotel while the work is being done?
How do I know that my personal property will be protected while the replumb is going on?
When I submitted my claim form, I submitted receipts for past damages so I could be reimbursed. Why have I not received this reimbursement?
Can I opt not to have a replumb?
If I paid for a full replumb before the subclass was settled, am I entitled to reimbursement?
Is my water heater included in the replumb?
Post Replumb
Who do I call if I have a question about wallpaper and faux paint?
What condition will my home be in once the replumb is complete?
What type of warranty will I receive with my new plumbing system?
How does the class ensure that I receive a quality replumb?
What do I do if I have a leak after my replumb?
GENERAL
Who is Total Class Solutions, L.L.C.?
Total Class Solutions, L.L.C. (TCS) - a company established in 2007 to capitalize on the knowledge and experience gained through the management and operations of the largest property damage class action in the United States. Individuals with knowledge of both voluntary and class action settlements bring to the table a wealth of knowledge through handling in excess of 900,000 polybutylene claims and distributing in excess of $1 billion in relief.
A class action lawsuit involving brass KITEC® plumbing fittings ("Kitec® Fittings") that was certified by the Nevada District Court on October 16, 2006, which alleges that KITEC® Fittings are defective because they dezincify and fail when exposed to water.
This class action includes all owners of residences in Clark County, Nevada that contain, or at any time contained, a Kitec and/or PlumBetter piping system and/or components, although it is now believed this product was not used extensively in Clark County beyond 2004.
The litigation involves numerous builders and plumbing contractors and to accomplish the total settlement, there will be numerous subclass settlements.
Whom do I call if I have a question about the Kitec replumb process?
TCS (1-800-622-0130 extension 312)
How do I know if I am a class member of the Kitec Litigation in Clark County?
If you received notice from Kemp, Jones & Coulthard about a settlement with a builder in the Kitec litigation, you are a class member unless you have opted out.
I know someone that received a notice about a subclass settlement. Why did I not receive a notice?
Upon court approval, the preliminary notice is mailed to all properties that are included in a subclass. If you did not receive a notice, your home is likely not part of a settlement. The settlements are categorized by builder.
How do I know if I have the Kitec product inside my house?
Homes with Kitec are identified by the builders. If the builder of your home settles and your home is identified as a home with the Kitec product, you will receive a notice and claim form.
What do I have to do to qualify for a replumb?
Nothing. All homes identified in each subclass settlement are automatically eligible to receive a replumb.
There are people in my neighborhood already getting a replumb. I have mailed my claim form. Why has my replumb not been scheduled?
Once TCS receives a completed Kitec claim form and all required documentation, the claim is released to plumbing contractors. At this point, the plumbing contractor will contact the homeowners to schedule their replumb. The timing of this step depends on the workload of the contractors and it could take some time before the plumbing contractor contacts the homeowner to schedule the replumb.
Emergency Leaks
What do I do if I have a leak in my home after my subclass settlement has been approved but before I have received a replumb?
Call TCS (1-800-622-0130 extension 312) and they will assign a plumbing contractor to come to your home immediately.
What if my leak is after normal business hours?
Call TCS and from the telephone prompts you will be instructed who to call or go to
www.totalclasssolutions.com/kitec and look under emergency leaks.
The Replumb Process
What time do I anticipate the plumbers to arrive?
The plumber will require access to the residence between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Different hours may also be scheduled with approval of the residence owner.
When will I receive my replumb?
Depending upon the date of Court approval, your replumb will be scheduled once you have completed a claim form and return it to Total Class Solutions, LLC
Can I choose my plumbing contractor to do my replumb?
No, an approved plumbing contractor will be assigned to you by Total Class Solutions, LLC, Claims Administrator.
What type of plumbing product will be used in my home?
The plumber will replace or bypass the existing Kitec plumbing system within the residence with a court-approved plumbing system that conforms to all applicable codes. The two systems currently approved by the court include:Â WIRSBO AQUAPEX ("Wirsbo") that meets ASTM F 877 and FLOWGUARD SDR11 FLOWGUARD GOLD ("Flowguard").
Will I be able to remain in my home while the replumb takes place?
Yes, you can remain in your home during the replumb. The plumber will require access to the residence between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Different hours may also be scheduled with approval of the residence owner.
What if I or a family member has a health condition; and cannot be in the home during the replumb, can we stay in a hotel while the work is being done?
You are entitled to stay in a hotel up to 4 nights and/or not to exceed $600. Prior to the replumb commencing, TCS must receive a note from a doctor explaining the medical condition. The hotel stay must be approved by TCS. Homeowner is required to pay for the hotel stay then submit receipts to TCS for reimbursement.
How do I know that my personal property will be protected while the replumb is going on?
The plumber shall take all necessary measures to safeguard and protect the personal property of the occupants from damage or loss while the replumb is in progress and the plumber will be responsible for any such damage. The plumber and/or its representatives shall not enter rooms in the residence where no replumb work is occurring. The plumber is required to place appropriate covering over floors where work is occurring, completely cover all furniture, flooring, and personal property in any room where replumb work is occurring to protect against dust and other anticipated debris. Daily clean-up, during both the plumbing and drywall portions of the property is required.
When I submitted my claim form, I submitted receipts for past damages so I could be reimbursed. Why have I not received this reimbursement?
Reimbursement payments for homeowner submitted receipts are reviewed and covered receipts are entered into the system but are not paid immediately. These deferred payments are paid from the contingency fund and will be paid prior to the closing of the subclass settlement.
Can I opt not to have a replumb?
Yes, class members can opt to not accept the replumb, but at that point they give up all rights to recovery under the subclass and if a leak or flood occurs after the decision has been made not to have the replumb, all expenses will be to the account of the homeowner.
If I paid for a full replumb before the subclass was settled, am I entitled to reimbursement?
Yes, you are entitled to a reimbursement initially up to the amount that the subclass would have paid an approved contractor for the replumb. If there are contingency funds remaining at the end of the subclass you may be entitled to a subsequent payment.
Is my water heater included in the replumb?
No.
Post Replumb
Who do I call if I have a question about wallpaper and faux paint?
TCS (1-800-622-0130 extension 312)
What condition will my home be in once the replumb is complete?
Upon completion of the replumb, the plumber shall clean up the property to the condition existing before the replumb. This shall include vacuuming of all rugs or carpets in any area of the property where replumb work occurred, cleanup of all equipment, water material and rubbish, and replacement of furniture moved by the plumber.
What type of warranty will I receive with my new plumbing system?
Before the residence owner has signed the Certificate of Completion, plumber will ensure that any applicable warranties are explained to the residence owner, and that any warranty stickers for the plumbing products used are filled out and adhered to the inside of the kitchen sink cabinet. Twenty-five years for the product and installation and two years for paint and drywall.
How does the class ensure that I receive a quality replumb?
Initially all plumbing contractors performing replumbs under the Class must qualify and be pre-approved. During the replumb program, TCS will sample 10% of homes for a compliance inspection to ensure the claimant is receiving a quality installation and that all scope of work guidelines are being met.
What do I do if I have a leak after my replumb?
Call the plumbing company identified on your warranty sticker.