Couple blames company for selling faulty bricks for new home

A China couple has filed suit against the companies who supplied them with the bricks needed to build their new home, which they claim were defective.

Todd and Marti McCown filed their suit against Beaumont Brick & Stone and IPC Building Products on April 7 in the Jefferson County District Court at Law No. 1.

In 2007 the McCowns undertook building a new home and purchased bricks from Beaumont Brick, which were manufactured by IPC.

In mid-November 2007, the installation of the bricks began, according to the plaintiffs' petition.

"Subsequent to the laying of the brick, it was discovered that the brick was defective," the suit said.

"More specifically, it was discovered that the coloring of the brick bleeds, which makes the brick lighter or fainter in color in some locations, and further discolors the mortar. This condition is far from uniform."

The suit goes on to allege Beaumont Brick and IPC failed to disclose that the bricks were made out of concrete and not clay. "The concrete bricks that the Plaintiffs purchased were of a lesser quality than regular bricks.

"The concrete bricks are not weather resistant, which result in cracks."

The McCowns are suing under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, alleging fraud and fraudulent misrepresentation.

They are seeking actual and consequential damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs.

The McCowns are represented by attorney Richard Lewis of the Boneau & Lewis law firm.

Judge Alfred Gerson has been assigned to the case.

Case No. 110524