Rheem

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Rheem

Mike in Plantation, FL, writes:

Water heater installed 1995 by plumber. Problems with water pressure began late 1998. Replaced kitchen faucet ($225), no help. It got worse, no water pressure in several faucets, and washing machine filling very slowly.

Called plumber, and suggested that water heater insulation might be breaking down (I'm an engineer), and it was still under warranty. Plumber informed us (from their computer records) that we had a water heater from the '93 - '95 vintage Rheem units that had a defective dip tube. We had to call Rheem Tech Support, and have them send a new dip tube. The plumber would then install the new tube and blow out the water lines.

The Rheem Tech Support line has a voice mail choice for customers with white particles in their water, transferring you to a person who takes the necessary information to send a dip tube.

All went as promised except that, even after blowing out the lines, we still have white particles clogging all of our faucets, shower heads, spray wands, dishwasher, etc... I can't believe that they waited for us to complain before taking action, and then did not repair the damage done. They knew what we had and that it was defective, but took no action. We now have a major mess to deal with. This sounds like culpability, and likely class action suit territory.

I needlessly replaced a faucet ($225, although the original faucet was a much more expensive imported designer fixture). We spend nearly a week with no water at all in the kitchen, and very little hot water in the rest of the house. The washing machine still takes forever to fill. I've changed the aerators several times, but the problem keeps coming back.

The little holes in the shower heads and spray wands seem to be permanently blocked. My wife sprained her back carrying a tub of hot water for washing dishes, and it's still sore after 2 weeks. Because of that, we ate most of our meals out, something we rarely do due to my serious food allergies. All in all, it was a pretty miserable span of time.

P.C. of Vienna, VA, writes:

A 3 year old builder-installed Rheem hot water heater sent bits of styrofoam thru the faucets and leaked all over the floor. We called Sears' emergency number and had a new installed the next day. I sent a letter to Rheem with all pertinent info including Model and Serial numbers.

It was answered two weeks later. They agreed the failure was under warranty, but in order to collect the full amount of $542 I would have to submit the faceplate from the failed unit. Of course it had been disposed of already.

Mr. Jim Saunders of Rheem informed me that, sorry he could not send me my money without the faceplate, but if I collected some styrofoam detritus from my faucets and sent it to him, he would send me $150. Please note that this occurred one month after the water heater was replaced.

When I pointed this out he then told me to unscrew the strainers from my faucets to collect the styrofoam. I had supplied all the information that the faceplate contained and the unit was part of a bulk purchase from a builder who could document the installation and date. After 10 phone calls they still will not budge on paying me on a valid warranty claim.

I am out $542 for a new hot water heater when their unit should not have failed so prematurely.

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