ZT: Faulty plumbing system costing homeowners thousands (旧闻)

NewLynnHse

不是新闻，只是看到家居版的帖子有人提到这个东东，搜了一下，原来还有这个问题。

Faulty plumbing system costing homeowners thousands

A plumbing system that has been used in our homes for decades is leaving home owners with huge bills as they pay to repair or replace the faulty system.

Installed with fervour in New Zealand homes in the late 70s and 80s, the black coloured plastic pipes branded Dux Quest, have been causing major plumbing issues since the 90s, when the pipes and fittings started bursting and leaking.

The pipes were among the first generation of plastic piping, replacing copper.

Most of the major insurance companies told ONE News if they know Dux Quest was in a house, they will not cover plumbing leaks or would place restrictions on the policy.

Many people are still using the product, despite many websites warning prospective home owners of the issues associated with it.

However, there has never been a warning to homeowners from the government.

Housing and Building Minister Maurice Williamson declined to be interviewed by ONE News.

But after being briefed, he said that that 20,000 to 40,000 homes had Dux Quest installed in New Zealand.

"It's not been raised with me ever, until today, which is an interesting indication that it's not a big issue, and it's long and truly out of its warranty period," said Williamson.

The faulty system has left homeowner Joanne Garden with a major headache and a big bill.

"It's going to cost me close to $4000 just for the plumbing alone," she told ONE News.

Leaks springing from the piping have flooded her house three times and she has been told it will just keep leaking.

She said she knew nothing about Dux Quest when she bought her house four years ago, now she will be paying to replace it.

"I can't afford it, my 82-year-old father is going to have to, I'm going to have to get a loan from him," she said.

Plumber Peter Jackson told ONE News he gets called to Dux Quest leaks three or four times a week.

He refits an entire home plumbing system every fortnight.

Meanwhile, the manufacturer has changed its name and owners since the product was withdrawn 24 years ago.

They would not comment to ONE News.