Leaking tank on Richmond

by Richard Linzmeier
(Tomahawk, WI USA)

We had a Richmond model # 6G40-32PF3, manufacture date 17 May 2017 installed by a plummer on May 28, 2016.

On September 1, 2017 we noticed water on the floor, the tank was leaking between the metal outside shell and insulation just above the gas valve. A stream of water going onto the pilot light. I called technical service department and they claim it is out of warranty because the building it was in is used for residential and business.

When over 90% of the water is residential, they will not cover the warranty even though there are 12 year warranties on many of their products, since when is a water heater especially a gas or propane water heater not covered even if it is in a residential/business.

This is not good practice on Rheem or Richmond products. I will tell you that how can a tank fail in a years time, poor quality, poor service, poor warranty, no one should have to buy bad products like this, not even if it is a business. Time to buy a different product than this company. The paperwork says Residential Gas or Electric Water Heaters with a 6 year tank and 6 year parts limited warranty.