Rheem Water Heater RUSTED OUT in 6 years - Did Rheem make it right?
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- Опубліковано 10 січ 2024
- After using our Rheem Classic Professional 50 gallon electric water heater for just under 6 years, we noticed a big change in water temperature. I didn't have time to look @ it until Christmas break which is when I discovered that the unit was rusting from the inside out and leaking in multiple places. I discovered the issue 2-3 weeks outside of the 6 year warranty period...though it clearly had started inside of 6 years.
Rheem initially said "Sorry, we can't help you." After some polite discussion (they were super nice) they DID THE RIGHT THING and replaced it free of charge! THANK YOU RHEEM for standing behind your products!
Note: I learned now that there is a sacrificial ANODE ROD that actually should be replaced every several years. - Розваги
My water heater was made in the 1970's. No problems with it all these years.
Before they built failure into appliances! Truth is I think that government regulations have killed the quality more than anything.
Yes, anode rod must be replaced every two to three years. There are two types, standalone which requires 1 and 1/16 socket with impact wrench, or like mine which is under hot water outlet. Many videos on here about how to do both.
P.S. Teflon tape is always required on threaded connections for water inlets.
No it's not. What do ya think we did before teflon tape???
also, the anode only needs to be replaced based on the water conditions. I have replaced water heaters 20 years old with the anodes looking almost new because of relatively soft water.
I thought so but the guy @ Lowes said it was designed to just use the rubber gasket.
Good on Rheem for replacing your water heater even though they were not at fault. This is a good testament to their company. There was probably no rust inside the tank at all. As another comment stated, one of your braided flexable connectors leaked at the rubber gasket. If there is anyone at fault, it is yours for not noticing the leak early on, AND it is Shark Bite for marketing those connectors. I assume it is Shark Bite, though it could be from one of their competitors-I know of at least one. Some advice on the new fitting that you installed-the rubber washers harden and leak after several years. I had two hack "plumbers" whose backs were still wet from their journey to Norte America install them on my new water heater with the blessing of their absent supervising licensed plumber boss. The first one leaked after only two years and I simply tightened it one quarter turn and that stopped the leak. It corroded just like yours did, but not as long and the moisture didn't make it down to my leak detector. The other one began to leak after six years and moisture DID make it down to the leak detector. I bought an inexpensive bag of rubber water heater washers at HD and replaced it. No more leak. The old one had gotten very hard. When the heater was new, I was going to replace those rubber hoses with copper but just when I was about to, the water heater at my parents' house sprung a spraying leak from the sweated copper fitting. So, copper fittings can leak too so I left them on. I watch those rubber connectors like a hawk AND I have a Honeywell leak detector on the wall in my hallway and the detector cord is beside the heater in the drip pan (it's in the attic), which is what alerted me to the leak. I HIGHLY recommend those detectors-they are incredibly sensitive. I also turn off the water when gone more than two days, like vacation. Another thing is, you should buy a sacrificial anode from Rheem online for that heater and install it at 6 years. I just replaced the one in my Rheem Pro gas heater after six years and it could have gone a few more years because it was the thicker diameter version of their PRO series water heater line, but it was still time. I am happy I did it. Definitely replace that anode at no more than five years is my advice.
Interesting! I appreciate you weighing in. I had noticed the rust there but since rust was essentially everywhere that it was just a symptom of the entire issue. I do wish I had cut it open (I set it out for scrap) to inspect the inside. I will say that it really did appear like the area around the elements etc was rusting out....it appear to be coming from around the threads. But I could be wrong. I'll keep an eye on the new one!
You should have the video for us to see the inner damage. Obviously, that damage started before the warranty period ended
I wish I would've done that!
Buy a Bradford white. Mine was 26 years old when I replaced it and it was still working perfectly.
As a plumber, I second this. Bradford White is the only brand I install now.
Have heard good things about them!
It appears that your waterline connection to the water heater failed, not the water heater itself.
A couple of others have pointed that out. That could be the case! It really did seem like water was leaking from the element areas, not just running down from the top. But I will be keeping an eye on this new one!
It is strange how Google knows your daily moves and thoughts...
I just replaced a Rheem water heater from 2016 yesterday and this video shows up today. The burner, the gas valve, the draft motor, were all in excellent condition. The tank started leaking. The warranty was 6 years, so that's gone. Anode rod condition is unknown, but probably would have saved it. I do not know how conducive the water quality was for tank longevity, but the house does have a water softener.
Supposedly, a few other common brands of water heaters all come from the same place with different decals installed onto them. What is nice about these consumer brands is that parts are easy to come by when you need them.
Ironically, my Bradford white is now 24 years old and working well. I should probably stick another anode rod in it to save it. I've done absolutely nothing to it.
Google is listening to your cell phone conversations. Fact.
@@freespirit1975 Actually, I think it is worse than that. I swear that it uses the microphone to listen as the device is sitting idle.
Yes, the algorithm does crazy stuff! Did you happen to Google anything about your water heater while you were in the replacement process?
@@Sauls2286 I am sure that I used a web browser with my Google username logged in to look them up at Home depot's website, so it was of no surprise as to what happened this time around.
But I swear that I only had verbal conversations with people regarding other stuff and low and behold, I get advertisements.
The image that you provide at about 0:42 seems to graphically demonstrate that the problem with your water heater was that the connection to the hot water outlet leaked... that there was nothing at all wrong with the heater. You did point out that it was leaking around the rim at the top and that the insulation further down was soaked. Sure! Your leaky connection caused water to drip down into the top of the heater, where it doesn't belong, some of which leaked out at the rim on top and the rest of which caused superficial exterior rust on the tank further down.
precisely. I have seen many water heaters come back that were supposedly leaking, but you could see the telltale signs of either the supply or outlet connections were leaking
Interesting! Thanks for sharing that info! That definitely could have happened, though I didn't think of it @ the time. I wish I had provided more pictures of it in other areas....it appeared like the elements themselves had water seeping, but I guess it could've been coming from the top. (I'd feel bad if it truly was my fault/pipes fault and Rheem replaced it.)
If it rusted out in 6 years it more than likely had a cracked glass liner. The reason for that may have happened for a couple of reasons. Could be a flaw at the factory, could be a very rough handling problem or you could have very hard water and not having properly flushed it, or in that case checking the anode rod
My theory has been that it was the anode rod. I will be checking it in two years to see how things are going.
very common cause of water heater failure, in fact prolly the most common. The other is sediment build up in the bottom of the tank. On gas water heaters it causes a build up of heat which can crack the glass lining. Always good t know how hard your water is which can be checked easily with a kit at any big box store@@Sauls2286
Rheem doesn’t have glass liners in their water heaters.
I don't know where you got that cause Rheem states on their own website that they are glass lined@@Prosecute-fauci
Bradford White is the best made water heater.
Have heard good things about them! I really would like to move to tankless @ some point. Do they make them?
i am surprised that rheem covered the entire unit. usually a 6 year warrantee is pro rated, so if the unit breaks in 5 years you will get only one year credit toward a new unit. I guess rheem does stand behind their product. My local plumbing supply carries rheem so i buy rheem water heaters
Yes! I'm always happy to give a "shout out" to a company who does the right thing!
I'm guessing you're not a plumber lmao
Generally I inspect all my water heaters yearly, generally when I turn heat on for the winter for the first time because I'm already there.
100% not a plumber. You guessed right :)
$555/yr to operate? Rheem needs to stop manufacturing resistive heaters altogether. That water heater did you a favor, upgrade out of the dinosaur years and get a Heat Pump model.
Thought about it when I was shopping after Rheem said they would not replace. However at $2,000 it takes a few years for ROI. I guess I'd be more likely to upgrade if this one lasts longer.
@@Sauls2286 My Rheem 45g HP model I got almost 2yrs ago for $1600, has a 10 yr warranty, energy sticker indicates $104/yr. You might be able to get a rebate too. But with a 3yr ROI, I am expecting at least 7 years for at least $2800 lifetime savings. It will pay for itself.
@@MatthewDowell Good thought! Have also considered tankless, but not from a savings standpoint, just "unlimited" hot water. (Large family, lots of demand)
The buyer got reamed. Unfortunately today's products are built to fail
No they are not. The higher end warranty water heaters are the same as the six year, you are just paying for an extended warranty.
And Biden is making sure products will become even more unreliable and more expensive.
@@JEFFREYHAUGAN I think some of them have an extra anode rod. I think Rheem will stretch the warranty to 10-12 years if you have a professional installer put in an additional anode rod (or, so I've heard.)
never seen one with two anode rods, but that doesn't mean a manufacturer hasn't done that on an extended warranty water heater. there are also other than the standard household water heaters that they may have done that on. There are some out there which are stainless steel and also which are entirely plastic inside. (the later use an internal heating coil)@@Sauls2286