I bought a GE gas water heater model PG40S09AVG00 from Home Depot in Dec 2006. I paid for an extended service contract through Dec. 2022.Recently I tried to drain some water at the bottom of the tank to get rid of sediments. I got half a bucket, but the 2nd time I when I turned on the faucet, no water came out. I gave it several turns to no avail. I tried this several times. When turning the knob it makes a funny sound. I called GE at 1-800-431-1549 on 10/22/08. I was told that they could not find a service Company in my area which is Elmont NY 11003. They will call me back, I waited 2 days and called again. they said that they are still looking. On 10/29/08 I called again and was told they can't find anyone to service the water tank. I contacted Home Depot at 800-437-3783 Option 1 and got a helpful representative. After she contacted GE I got a call back from Home Depot explaining that I would have to find my own repair service, pay for it and then be reimbursed by GE. She gave me their tel. # I contacted their Customer Care department. They verified what Home Depot had told me. They gave me a case # and a FAX # where to mail the bill up to $250. Above this I have to get an OK before the repair is made. GE Custome Care # 1-800-793-3768. FAX # 1-877-763-3006
I can't help with warranty service, they will switch you to someone elese until you stop calling. But you may have a large buildup of sediment, which has blocked the drain spout. That can usually be cleared with a coat hanger, but the water is HOT, so you will need hand protection for when the water starts to flow. Relieve the pressure in the tank by turning off the water supply(and turn off power or gas), at the water inlet or the house supply. Then open the safety valve on the side at the top of the tank(with something to catch the water). Open the drain valve, with something under to catch the water, or a floor drain. With a coat hanger or piece of thin wire, probe the open valve. You should begin to get some flow, which may stop and start, more probing until you get continuous flow. Once flow is established, let it run until the debris has cleared. Reset everything and you should be OK. The drain valve is plastic, so there may now be scratches on the ball valve and you may get drips. A catch pan may be needed. But flush the heater 2-3 times a year and you will likely get much better than average life from it.
Frankly, these days the warranty on almost anything is nearly a joke. On things that need on site service, when you are in a rural area that often compounds things.
It seems that although you had to go through quite a bit of red tape, they have gone the distance in ultimately honoring your warranty in the best way they can. The alternative at some point will be to give you a whole new tank , but they will try to avoid that if at all possible.
This is why for most things I basically opt for self-insured, because my cynical nature tells me that any supposed warranty may be science fiction.
Tags: water, heater, warranty, Home Depot, call back, called again, catch water, coat hanger, drain valve, from Home
