Rheem Water Heater Claims: Leaking, Fire
Rheem Water Heaters
Consumers who purchased a gas or electric water heater manufactured by Rheem Manufacturing Company may have legal recourse. It has been alleged that certain Rheem water heaters contain a defect which causes them to excessively leak, catch fire or otherwise fail earlier than expected. Water heaters have a life expectancy of 11 to 14 years, though some consumers have alleged that their Rheem water heaters began experiencing problems as early as four years from the date of installation.
A number of the Rheem water heaters in question were distributed by General Electric and Ruud Manufacturing. If you own one of these water heaters and it leaked water or caught fire, you may have legal recourse against the manufacturer to seek compensation for damages. To find out if you are eligible, fill out our free case review form today with details of your complaints.
GE, Ruud Water Heater Leaking
A handful of consumers have alleged that they experienced problems with their Rheem water heaters within several years of installation. Many of these claims overlap and indicate that:
- The water heater leaked persistently
- Water leaked out of the bottom of the unit
- The water heater failed
- Water was leaking from the top
- Water was running out of the sides of the water heater
Some consumers have alleged property damage from the water heaters, with one consumer claiming that the water heater’s tank ruptured at the seam, flooding his home. Another claims that his 5-year-old electric water heater failed and caused water damage to his finished basement. In the worst cases, consumers have alleged that their water heaters caught fire, with one fire department report revealing that the water heater internally sparked and caught the insulation on fire.
Class Action for Rheem Water Heaters?
Many of these water heaters contained warning labels with installation instructions regarding leakages. The label indicated that the water heater may leak, and should not be installed in areas where the leakage will result in damage to nearby areas or lower floors. In cases where the water heater must be installed in these areas, a catch pan, drained regularly should be installed, according to the warning. It has been alleged, however, that water leaking from the Rheem water heaters exceeds the capacity of a properly drained catch pan, which would not have prevented water damage from its overflow.
In light of claims that certain Rheem water heaters contain a defect making them prone to water leakage and/or fires, ClassAction.org is looking to determine whether consumers who own this product have legal recourse. These individuals may have the ability to participate in a potential Rheem Water heater class action lawsuit to seek compensation for repair costs, property damage and other losses stemming from the water leakage and/or fire. To learn more about this potential class action and for a free evaluation of your claim, complete our free, no obligation case review form today.