Insurance adjusters are often faced with a large loss caused by water leakage from plumbing systems. Investigating the cause is an integral part of the claims adjustment process since it bears on insurance coverage as well as potential subrogation. The first step is finding the source and determining the nature of the leak. Was this a result of some manipulation of valves, either intentional or unintentional, or perhaps a failure of the pipe system?
Photographing the leakage source and documenting the circumstances of the leakage is helpful for those performing a more detailed analysis of the problem. The following case study serves to illustrate a water leakage loss as a result of a failed pipe.
Figure 1 shows a water valve that became detached from a 2.5 inch pipe, causing flooding of lower floors of a high-rise building and a multi-million dollar loss. The pipe failed in the threaded section as shown in Figure 2 (arrow).
Since there is potential subrogation against the plumbing contractor, they should be placed on notice in order to have a chance to inspect the scene prior to repair. After the inspection by the plumbing contractor and other potential litigants, the evidence should be removed for future detailed examination of the components.
Examination of the threaded section of the failed pipe resulted in the photo of Figure 3 (left pipe section). The threads on the failed pipe appear very deep, almost penetrating the pipe cross section. The lines as indicated by the thread root penetration are deformations of the pipe by the thread die forming the root of the thread.
Measurements of this pipe showed it to be American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Schedule 10 pipe. The pipe thread used was an American National Standard pipe thread. The pipe at the right in Figure 3 is Schedule 40 pipe with the appropriate standard tapered pipe thread. It is known in the plumbing industry that Schedule 10 pipe cannot be threaded because the pipe wall thickness is too thin. Typically, a rolled groove coupling system is one method of joining Schedule 10 pipe with other components.
In this particular case, the pipe wall thickness was reduced significantly by the improper threading, resulting in pipe failure and the water loss. Over time, water pressure variations caused failure of the pipe due to the thin and weakened wall cross section. The root cause of the loss is improper plumbing construction and installation. Retention of evidence (valve, failed pipe section), taking statements of building personnel and documenting the circumstances will aid in a successful recovery for the insurance adjuster's client.
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