Thursday March 16 2023

Prevention, corrosion and water damage: where do you store household cleaning products?

Laundry detergents, degreasers, disinfectants, toilet bowl cleaners, descalers, detergents… We regularly use these products during household chores to clean, disinfect, descale… We must not forget that they contain chemical substances. If they are incorrectly used or improperly stored, these cleaning products present real dangers, and not only for children…

A recent judgment involving liability for water damage resulting from the corrosion of flexible water supply pipes reminds us of the importance of the proper use and storage of these cleaning products.
In fact, several dozen claims appear to have involved flexible pipe that has been affected by corrosion in recent years.

Many of us store these products in direct proximity to where we intend to use them

To minimize the risks, it is essential to take precautions when storing and using household products.

Of course, when the product is in its sealed container, it is safe. But the problem may arise when we use it in our daily lives, and it may cause occasional chlorine fumes, spills, or drips if we neglect to close the cap properly and completely, or if we spill it next to it…  Obviously, we are unaware that such negligence or forgetfulness can lead to fumes or spills, and present dangers for the degradation of nearby metals.

AND YET, A CORROSION PHENOMENON CAN AFFECT SOME FLEXIBLE HOSES OF FAUCETS

A recent Superior Court decision has ruled on the liability in connection with a corroded pipe break.
The CEP Forensique experts, who were called upon to give their opinion in cases of corrosion of flexible water supply pipes, explained to the Court that “this type of failure can occur when corrosive cleaning products are stored in the vicinity of stainless steel lined flexible pipes. The corrosive vapors released by some cleaning products cause stress cracking of the braided steel strands, exposing the inner polymer tube. It eventually swells and bursts, resulting in water damage… and often an insurance claim.”

In November 2022, the Superior Court rendered a very interesting decision with respect to the liability of a claim arising from the corrosion of flexible water supply pipes in which the manufacturer of the corrosive cleaning product was 75% liable and the distributor of the pipes was 25% liable. 

For more information

• Read the CEP Forensique article (in french): « Corrosion of flexible water supply lines. Rare and interesting liability ruling »
• Read the full judgment (in french), click here. 
• Article from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (in french): Cleaning products can cause water damages