The tankless water heater has been damaged since day one. Why? It was improperly installed at the time of construction by Lennar in the 6111 Yeats Manor Drive home.
At one point, it literally appeared to be falling from the wall. WCI Communities (now Lennar) did nothing more than replace the screws. They said the wrong types were installed with the tankless water heater. This is in addition to the exhaust piping being improperly installed on the roof.
As you will see, this has been an exhausting issue to fight. It’s obvious it wasn’t done correctly. After years of fighting it, Lennar agreed to make the repairs. I have not heard from the specific people assigned to these issues since our last conference call in May 2017.
This is a comparison of their repair before and after in the summer of 2015.
The tankless, gas water heater before a Lennar repair and after a Lennar repair in the 6111 Yeats Manor Drive home.
WCI (now Lennar) completed work order for the tankless gas water heater seen above in July 2015. Harrower and Jamie Moore are both indicated on the completed work order.
Vendor repair slip indicating that the tankless gas water heater was not installed properly by Lennar and needed to be secured to the wall at 6111 Yeats Manor Drive.
Another proposal for installing the tankless water heater correctly, including rerouting the exhaust pipe that is dangerously close to the gas dryer vent on the roof.
The exhaust pipe is stressed and separating due to an improper installation and subsequent repair by WCI Communities – now Lennar Homes at 6111 Yeats Manor Drive.
On more than one occasion I have worried about it just falling down and exploding. Some items to see:
- You see a separation between piping. According to the WCI home inspections – this is normal, and there is no fault with the install. They have since changed their response (Lennar homes) to indicate that the water heater does need to be reinstalled.
- The water heater exhaust pipe leading to the roof is poorly connected and has an additional angle. According to various professionals who inspected this issue, it causes pressure on the lower portions of the pipe which causes the separation.
- Although you cannot see this from inside, the exhaust gas pipe on the roof is incorrectly installed – including being dangerously close to the clothes dryer exhaust vent on the roof.
Here is a short, 35-second video showing the entire tankless gas water heater. This is more than 4.5 years since I closed on a new construction Lennar home and more than two years after the builder attempted a repair.
Lennar has still not made the repair.
Here is the history on this issue that’s gone on for 4.5 years.
Here’s the summary from all of construction issues I keep in a spreadsheet.
*Note: For simplicity, the Lennar and WCI Communities names here are used interchangeably as Lennar took over WCI in February of 2017.
Tankless gas water heater issue description
The integrity of the water heater exhaust vent at the top of the roof is compromised as it has been pushed up a good six inches and needs to be corrected.
Original response to the tankless gas water heater issue from Joel Fedora
WCI will have a plumber look at this issue and address if necessary.
Lennar in-house legal response gas water heater issue
WCI will schedule Del-Air to inspect and repair if not installed properly.
Amanda Buffinton legal response to Lennar about tankless gas water heater issue
Accepted.
Buffinton response to Lennar outside legal (prior to filing the 558)
Resolved. Mr. Fannin reserves his rights.
Final WCI outside legal response to 558 complaint
WCI offered to resolve this item but the Homeowner canceled the repair.
Note: This is not true at all. See: WCI (Now Lennar Homes) Lied in Their Legal Response. Why?
Lennar executive’s response on 5/22/2017
Turn exhaust pipe to avoid conflict with vent and exhaust pipes. Add blocking to tankless water heater and correct all piping to tankless water heater.
Here is the slide for the water heater issue presented at the initial Lennar meeting at my home to discuss the ongoing construction issues. Mark Metheny, Steve Smith and Jim Yeadon were present.
The original slide giving an overview of the gas water heater issue in the Lennar home located at 6111 Yeats Manor Drive.
Here are the separate responses for the piping separation you see in the tankless water heater pictures.
Tankless water heater pipe separation issue description
The apparent stress on the water heater exhaust vent, from having been pushed up six inches, has caused what appears to be a separation/split from the vent coming out of the top of the water heater inside the laundry room closet and needs to be repaired.
Original response to the tankless gas water heater pipe separation from Joel Fedora
WCI will have a plumber look at this issue and address if necessary.
Lennar in-house legal response gas water heater pipe separation issue
Del-Air to re-route the dryer vent and turn the goose neck 180 degrees. Roofer to repair roof system where vent was relocated.
Amanda Buffinton legal response to Lennar about tankless gas water heater pipe separation issue
Unacceptable response. Moving the dryer vent will not correct this issue. WCI has already agreed to inspect and repair the same issue (see Item No. 23). Additionally, WCI has not properly responded to the separation/split issue identified here.
Buffinton response to Lennar outside legal (prior to filing the 558)
Same response as above; however, WCI did not address the “separation / split” issue. WCI needs to respond to this separate issue.
Final WCI outside legal response to 558 complaint
WCI offered to resolve this item but the Homeowner canceled the repair.
Note: This is not true at all. See: WCI (Now Lennar Homes) Lied in Their Legal Response. Why?
Lennar executive’s response on 5/22/2017
Turn exhaust pipe to avoid conflict with vent and exhaust pipes. Add blocking to tankless water heater and correct all piping to tankless water heater.
Here are the responses to the mounting issue of the tankless gas water heater.
Tankless water heater mounting issue description
Mounting Integrity of Water Heater – Mr. Fannin has previously reported issues regarding his tankless water heater. He has noticed that there are screws pulling away from the drywall, which hold the water heater in place. He is very concerned about the integrity of how the water heater is mounted and demands that WCI review this issue to ensure his safety.
Original response to the tankless gas water heater mounting issue from Joel Fedora
None – this was recorded after the Lennar construction problems were assigned to the builder’s inside legal counsel.
Lennar in-house legal response water heater mounting issue
Per 6-30-15 letter from WCI counsel, the water heater was correctly mounted and passed inspection. Even though the home is no longer under warranty, WCI will inspect and adjust the mounting if necessary.
Amanda Buffinton legal response to Lennar about water heater mounting issue
Mr. Fannin will allow WCI to inspect and adjust the mounting if necessary. Mr. Fannin reserves his rights.
Buffinton response to Lennar outside legal (prior to filing the 558)
Same response as above.
Final WCI outside legal response to 558 complaint
WCI offered to resolve this item but the Homeowner canceled the repair.
Note: This is not true at all. See: WCI (Now Lennar Homes) Lied in Their Legal Response. Why?
Lennar executive’s response on 5/22/2017
Add blocking to tankless water heater and correct all piping to tankless water heater.
Note: As of the date of this publication, all the Lennar executives went silent and none of the construction repairs were ever made, including the promised replacements of two, improperly installed and defective A/C units causing extensive mold exposure and health issues.
