NIBCO PEX Lawsuit: Settlement, Covered Products and Status
The NIBCO PEX lawsuit was a federal class action in which homeowners claimed that certain NIBCO plastic plumbing products leaked and damaged their homes. The main case, Cole v. NIBCO Inc., was filed in New Jersey federal court in 2013 and was later joined in settlement by a related Tennessee case. In 2019, a judge approved a $43.5 million settlement covering certain NIBCO PEX 1006 tubing, brass fittings, and stainless steel clamps. As of November 2026, the claim periods under that settlement appear to have closed. This guide explains what the lawsuit alleged, who was covered, how claims worked, the key dates, and what homeowners with NIBCO PEX can still do today. It is general information, not legal advice.
| Quick Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main case | Cole, et al. v. NIBCO Inc., No. 3:13-cv-07871-FLW-TJB |
| Court | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey |
| Related case | Meadow, et al. v. NIBCO Inc., No. 3:15-cv-1124 (M.D. Tenn.) |
| Settlement amount | $43.5 million |
| Final approval | April 11, 2019 |
| Products covered | NIBCO PEX 1006 tubing (made January 2005 to August 2012), F1807 brass fittings, and stainless steel clamps |
| Payment range | 25% to 70% of eligible damages |
| Status (as of November 2026) | Claim periods appear closed |
What Is the NIBCO PEX Lawsuit?
The NIBCO PEX lawsuit is a class action that accused plumbing maker NIBCO Inc. of selling PEX tubing, fittings, and clamps that failed early and caused leaks. It ended in a $43.5 million nationwide settlement approved in 2019.
PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene, a flexible plastic pipe that many builders began using in place of copper in the 2000s.
Homeowners from several states sued NIBCO in the District of New Jersey in late 2013. That case, Cole v. NIBCO Inc., was overseen by U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson. A second class action, Meadow v. NIBCO Inc., was filed in the Middle District of Tennessee in 2015. The two cases were resolved together through one settlement, which the New Jersey court reviewed because Cole was filed first.
The plaintiffs said the products leaked and caused water damage, and that NIBCO did not replace the plumbing or pay for the damage. They also pointed to NIBCO’s written warranties, which they said promised the tubing would be free of defects for 10 to 25 years, depending on the system.
What Defects Did the Lawsuit Allege?
The plaintiffs alleged that all three parts of the system, the tubing, the brass fittings, and the steel clamps, could fail early. These were allegations, and a settlement is a compromise, not a court finding that the products were defective.
According to the amended complaint filed in the Tennessee case, the claimed problems were:
- PEX tubing: premature “oxidative failure” and “creep rupture,” which allegedly led to splits, cracks, and leaks. The complaint tied this to how the plastic was stabilized or cross-linked.
- Brass fittings: dezincification, a type of corrosion that pulls zinc out of brass. The complaint said this could make fittings brittle, cause pinhole leaks, or clog the fittings and lower water pressure.
- Stainless steel clamps: chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking, which allegedly caused clamps to crack under the stress of installation.
The plaintiffs argued that these failures could develop slowly, so a leak inside a wall might not show up until it had already caused damage.
Which Products and Homeowners Were Covered?
The settlement covered people who owned, or had owned, a U.S. home or commercial building with certain NIBCO PEX products installed since January 1, 2005. It applied only to specific product lines, not every NIBCO pipe.
The official notice listed these covered products:
- NIBCO PEX 1006 tubing manufactured from January 2005 through August 2012
- F1807 yellow brass fittings used with that tubing
- Stainless steel clamps used with that tubing
The settlement class went beyond the original buyers. Later owners of a covered property could take part. So could certain related parties with standing to claim, such as builders, contractors, distributors, sellers, and insurers that had paid for damage. Some exclusions applied.
Property disputes like this often involve more than one owner. If you share a home with a co-owner and disagree about repairs or a sale, our guide to a partition action lawsuit explains how courts handle those conflicts.
| Settlement Feature | What It Meant |
|---|---|
| Who could claim | Current and past owners of U.S. buildings with covered products installed since January 1, 2005, plus certain builders, contractors, and insurers |
| Leaks covered | Past leaks and leaks during a six-year period after the settlement took effect |
| Property damage payments | 25% to 70% of eligible claimed amounts, depending on how many claims were filed |
| Re-plumb payments | Possible for claimants with three or more separate qualifying leaks who met other conditions |
| Other uses of the fund | Attorneys’ fees and costs, notice and administration costs, and any service awards to named plaintiffs |
How Much Was the Settlement and How Did Claims Work?
NIBCO agreed to pay $43.5 million into a settlement fund. Approved claimants could receive between 25% and 70% of their eligible property damage costs, and some could get money toward replacing their plumbing.
The claims process worked in two tracks:
- Past leaks. People who had already suffered a qualifying leak had to file a claim by a deadline in October 2019.
- Future leaks. For leaks that happened after the settlement took effect, claimants generally had to file within 150 days of the leak. This option ran for six years.
Strong claims needed proof. That usually meant showing the covered NIBCO product was in the building, that it leaked, and what the repairs cost. Photos, plumber reports, invoices, and insurance records helped. Claimants with at least three separate qualifying leaks could ask for re-plumb money if they met the other conditions.
Because the final percentage depended on the total number of valid claims, payment amounts could not be known in advance.
What Are the Key Dates in the NIBCO PEX Case?
The case ran for about six years before the settlement was approved, and the claim window then stayed open for about six more years. Here are the main dates.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2005 | Start of the period for buildings with covered products |
| Late 2013 | Cole v. NIBCO Inc. filed in the District of New Jersey |
| May 20, 2015 | Judge Wolfson issues a written opinion in Cole |
| 2015 | Meadow v. NIBCO Inc. filed in the Middle District of Tennessee |
| October 2018 | $43.5 million settlement announced |
| February 27, 2019 | Deadline to opt out or object (as reported) |
| April 8, 2019 | Final fairness hearing (as reported) |
| April 11, 2019 | Court grants final approval |
| May 16, 2019 | Settlement effective date (as reported) |
| October 2019 | Deadline for past-leak claims (sources list October 11, 13, or 15) |
| Around May 2025 | Estimated end of the six-year window for new leak claims |
Is the NIBCO PEX Settlement Still Open?
Based on the published deadlines, the claim periods for the Cole settlement appear to be closed as of November 2026. The past-leak deadline passed in October 2019, and the six-year window for new leaks ran from the 2019 effective date.
We could not confirm the exact closing date on the official settlement website, which is pexsystemsettlement.com. Anyone with a pending claim, or questions about a payment, should contact the claims administrator listed on that site.
A closed claim period means you generally cannot file a new claim under this settlement. People who stayed in the class also gave up certain legal claims covered by the settlement release, so filing a fresh lawsuit over the same products may be limited.
Were There Other NIBCO PEX Settlements?
Yes. A separate $7.65 million class settlement involving NIBCO PEX piping covered homeowners in Alabama and Texas.
A federal magistrate judge in San Antonio granted preliminary approval in February 2021, and the court later granted final approval over objections. One objector appealed, arguing the fund was too small. In October 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the settlement in an unpublished decision. If you lived in Alabama or Texas, check that settlement’s own notice and deadlines, since they differ from the Cole case.
What Can Homeowners Do Now?
Even with the settlement closed, homeowners with NIBCO PEX still have practical steps they can take. These steps help protect your home and keep your options open.
- Identify your pipe. PEX tubing usually has printing along its side showing the maker and product line. A licensed plumber can confirm what you have.
- Check your warranty. Review NIBCO’s written limited warranty for your product, plus any builder or home warranty. Note the time limits and what each warranty covers.
- Document every leak. Take photos and videos, save plumber reports, keep any failed parts, and file receipts for repairs.
- Call your insurer. Your homeowners policy may cover sudden water damage, even if it does not pay for replacing the pipe itself.
- Talk to a licensed attorney. A lawyer in your state can explain whether the settlement release affects you, which deadlines apply, and whether any other claims, such as against a builder, may still be possible.
Product cases can take many forms, from drug injury suits like the Taxotere lawsuit to defective building products. You can find more case explainers in our lawsuit category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the NIBCO PEX lawsuit about?
Homeowners claimed that certain NIBCO PEX tubing, brass fittings, and steel clamps failed early and leaked, causing water damage. NIBCO settled the main class action for $43.5 million in 2019.
Can I still file a claim in the NIBCO PEX settlement?
Probably not. The past-leak deadline passed in October 2019, and the six-year window for new leaks appears to have ended around May 2025. Contact the claims administrator through the official settlement website to confirm.
How much did people get from the NIBCO PEX settlement?
Approved claimants could receive 25% to 70% of their eligible property damage costs. The exact percentage depended on how many valid claims were filed.
Which NIBCO products were part of the settlement?
The settlement covered NIBCO PEX 1006 tubing made from January 2005 through August 2012, plus F1807 yellow brass fittings and stainless steel clamps used with it.
Did NIBCO admit its pipes were defective?
The settlement resolved the claims without a trial verdict. A settlement is a compromise, not a court ruling that the products were defective.
What should I do if my NIBCO PEX pipe leaks today?
Shut off the water, document the damage, call a licensed plumber, and contact your insurer. Then review your product and builder warranties and talk to a licensed attorney about your options.
Conclusion
The NIBCO PEX lawsuit led to a $43.5 million class settlement in 2019 for owners of buildings with certain NIBCO PEX 1006 tubing, F1807 brass fittings, and stainless steel clamps. Claimants could recover part of their leak damage, and some could get re-plumb money. As of November 2026, the claim windows appear closed, so new claims under that deal are unlikely. If you have NIBCO PEX in your home, focus on checking warranties, documenting any leaks, working with your insurer, and getting advice from a licensed attorney in your state.
