Consumer Warning: Natural Gas Tubing
A national class action lawsuit filed on behalf of consumers alleges that a certain type of natural gas tubing is prone to fires or leaks during lightning storms. The tubing is known as CSST, and became popular over the past two decades. It is more flexible and easier to install than the conventional iron or heavy metal pipes used to carry natural gas into homes.
Tom Borba of Waukanee moved into his new home a few months ago. When he turned the fireplace on for the first time, and it didn't work, he discovered a strong smell of natural gas in his basement.
"Right away, I knew there was a gas leak in the line somewhere," he said. "If nobody was home, there could've been an explosion." Borba says a local home inspector believes a lightning strike damaged the tubing in his home, exposing a portion of the tube.
The class action suit, which the tube companies settled, provides vouchers for installation of grounding wires or other lightning protection devices. The City of Madison, just two weeks ago, started requiring all new construction projects to use grounding wires.
For more information, visit www.csstsettlement.com.