Defective water heater (40) gallon gas, new - Plumbing Zone

Roy · 03-13-2010, 01:11 PM

Well, it finally happend after replacing a customers 40 gallon water
heater last Sunday. I replaced the unit with his Home Depot 40 gallon
gas GE unit. Basement installation access is always a ***** with about
10 ft difference from finnish floor height. The customer called a few days
later, saying no hot water, I was suspecting the pilot light had failed.

Removing the floor cover for the basement access this house was built in the 1940's. It's been completely retro fitted with all new soil and water lines, copper and abs pipe (drain waste and vent pipe) the basement had standing water. Emptying the basment with the sump pump and checking
the new water heater I could never find a leak on either the interior or exterior body of the unit. So I just said I'll be back on Friday and replace the unit.

After installing the new unit and using large flat 1/2" x 12" bricks to support this water heater, just to elevate the new water heater from the concret slab, the original unit was just sitting on the slab, I did and additional inspection and found the source of the leak under the house on an adjacent wall footing, water from an unknown source water continues to enter accumilate and eventually collect. So the faulty water heater was not at fault. Prior to removing the new water heater and speaking with the GE company rep the unit are mfg by Reem water
company in Tenn, no problems or hassles with a unit exchange.

What the typical responsibility for a water heater company to compensate
faulty water heaters? I realize this would involve a claim ticket and valid
company invoices? to keept the company beans counters happy?
Any other suggestions?

Roy...

Indie · 03-13-2010, 02:06 PM

Pull out GE, have H.O. take back to the store and get refund. While he is doing that, install a good water heater. Offer a price break (not much) for the new install, of your heater. If he does not want this then charge him for every minute you have involved and tell him so. GE is crap and I avoid as much as possible.

AKdaplumba · 03-13-2010, 02:42 PM

uh-oh, I installed a GE from HD about 3 years ago.... How do I maintain my piece of crap for as long as possible?

What are good brands of heater then?

sorry for going off topic there.

ChrisConnor · 03-13-2010, 02:51 PM

You could just call Rheem and tell them to send out their warranty rep to replace it. I used to be a Rheem warranty rep.

CBP · 03-13-2010, 02:54 PM

At least the GE's aren't as bad as the Whirlpools!. I sell and install nothing but Bradford White.

SummPlumb · 03-13-2010, 04:09 PM

GE and Whirlpool are Rheems I think.....

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Rheem, Bradford White and AO SMith are the only 3 companies that make the tanks.

Bradford White is the best heater IMO.

Redwood · 03-13-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy

The basement had standing water. Emptying the basment with the sump pump and checking
the new water heater I could never find a leak on either the interior or exterior body of the unit.

I did and additional inspection and found the source of the leak under the house on an adjacent wall footing, water from an unknown source water continues to enter accumilate and eventually collect. So the faulty water heater was not at fault. Prior to removing the new water heater and speaking with the GE company rep the unit are mfg by Reem water
company in Tenn, no problems or hassles with a unit exchange.

What the typical responsibility for a water heater company to compensate
faulty water heaters? I realize this would involve a claim ticket and valid
company invoices? to keept the company beans counters happy?
Any other suggestions?

Roy...

I'd say you have a case of misdiagnosis...

The basement flooding had nothing to do with the water heater you installed...

Ground water or water from some other source has nothing to do with you or, the water heater.

However, a gas water heater flooded should be replaced and in this case it should be on the customer.

AKdaplumba · 03-13-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwood

I'd say you have a case of misdiagnosis...

The basement flooding had nothing to do with the water heater you installed...

Ground water or water from some other source has nothing to do with you or, the water heater.

However, a gas water heater flooded should be replaced and in this case it should be on the customer.

so it is the heater?

Mr Slate · 03-13-2010, 08:28 PM

Whirlpool made by American Waterheater Company. I strongly discourage any one installing the gas units. There are real problems with gas valve and burner. No problems to report regarding electric units at this time.

Redwood · 03-13-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Slate

Whirlpool made by American Waterheater Company. I strongly discourage any one installing the gas units. There are real problems with gas valve and burner. No problems to report regarding electric units at this time.

Oh maybe you should check out their Energy Smart Electric water Heaters then...

03-13-2010, 01:11 PM	#1
Roy owner/ operator Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 13 My Photos	Defective water heater (40) gallon gas, new Well, it finally happend after replacing a customers 40 gallon water heater last Sunday. I replaced the unit with his Home Depot 40 gallon gas GE unit. Basement installation access is always a ***** with about 10 ft difference from finnish floor height. The customer called a few days later, saying no hot water, I was suspecting the pilot light had failed. Removing the floor cover for the basement access this house was built in the 1940's. It's been completely retro fitted with all new soil and water lines, copper and abs pipe (drain waste and vent pipe) the basement had standing water. Emptying the basment with the sump pump and checking the new water heater I could never find a leak on either the interior or exterior body of the unit. So I just said I'll be back on Friday and replace the unit. After installing the new unit and using large flat 1/2" x 12" bricks to support this water heater, just to elevate the new water heater from the concret slab, the original unit was just sitting on the slab, I did and additional inspection and found the source of the leak under the house on an adjacent wall footing, water from an unknown source water continues to enter accumilate and eventually collect. So the faulty water heater was not at fault. Prior to removing the new water heater and speaking with the GE company rep the unit are mfg by Reem water company in Tenn, no problems or hassles with a unit exchange. What the typical responsibility for a water heater company to compensate faulty water heaters? I realize this would involve a claim ticket and valid company invoices? to keept the company beans counters happy? Any other suggestions? Roy...

03-13-2010, 04:09 PM	#6
SummPlumb Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 145 My Photos	GE and Whirlpool are Rheems I think..... Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Rheem, Bradford White and AO SMith are the only 3 companies that make the tanks. Bradford White is the best heater IMO. __________________ "The Plumbing Guru"

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03-13-2010, 02:06 PM	#2
Indie AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,610 My Photos	Pull out GE, have H.O. take back to the store and get refund. While he is doing that, install a good water heater. Offer a price break (not much) for the new install, of your heater. If he does not want this then charge him for every minute you have involved and tell him so. GE is crap and I avoid as much as possible.

03-13-2010, 02:42 PM	#3
AKdaplumba Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 726 My Photos	uh-oh, I installed a GE from HD about 3 years ago.... How do I maintain my piece of crap for as long as possible? What are good brands of heater then? sorry for going off topic there.

03-13-2010, 02:51 PM	#4
ChrisConnor Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,407 My Photos	You could just call Rheem and tell them to send out their warranty rep to replace it. I used to be a Rheem warranty rep.

03-13-2010, 02:54 PM	#5
CBP The Backflow Guy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 68 My Photos	At least the GE's aren't as bad as the Whirlpools!. I sell and install nothing but Bradford White.

03-13-2010, 08:28 PM	#9
Mr Slate Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 8 My Photos	Whirlpool made by American Waterheater Company. I strongly discourage any one installing the gas units. There are real problems with gas valve and burner. No problems to report regarding electric units at this time.