Rheem defective round poly drain valves class action settlement

Rheem Manufacturing Co. and Melet Plastics Inc. have agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that their round poly drain valves are defective.

The settlement benefits consumers who own or have owned Rheem water heaters with round poly drain valves. A full list of part numbers covered by the settlement can be found on the settlement website.

The settlement also benefits consumers who own or have owned homes or other structures where the class products are or were installed.

The plaintiff in the class action lawsuit resolved by this settlement claimed Rheem and Melet Plastics manufactured defective round poly drain valves that were sold independently or as part of water heaters. The plaintiff alleged that the valves are prone to leaking and other failures, which can damage homes and other structures.

Rheem Manufacturing is a water heater manufacturer that sells its products through Home Depot, Lowe’s and other retailers.

Rheem and Melet Plastics have not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to resolve the allegations.

Under the terms of the Rheem settlement, class members can receive up to $1,500 for documented losses related to the class products. This includes reimbursement for installation, ownership and other costs related to the defective drain valves. Payments may be reduced on a pro rata basis if the total number of claims exceeds $500,000.

Class members can also receive a two-year automatic parts-only warranty extension, a one-year elective parts-and-labor warranty extension or a replacement brass drain valve. The one-year warranty extension is available to the first 100,000 class members who submit a claim. The replacement brass drain valve is available to the first 20,000 class members who submit a claim.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Feb. 20, 2026.

The final approval hearing for the Rheem settlement is scheduled for May 11, 2026.

To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by March 20, 2026.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who own or previously owned round poly drain valves manufactured and advertised between 2019 and 2023 — or who own or previously owned homes or other structures in which the covered products were installed — may be eligible. A complete list of covered products is available on the settlement website.

Potential Award

Up to $1,500 in documented loss reimbursement, a two-year automatic parts-only warranty extension, a one-year elective parts-and-labor warranty extension or a replacement brass drain valve.

Proof of Purchase

Documentation, such as dated receipts, invoices, technician reports and/or other records demonstrating both the amount incurred and the connection to the class products.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

03/20/2026

Case Name

West v. Rheem Manufacturing Co., et al., Case No. 2:24-cv-09686-CAS-MAAx, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

05/11/2026

Settlement Website

RheemDrainValveSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

West v. Rheem Manufacturing Company and Melet Plastics Inc.
c/o CPT Group Inc.
P.O. Box 19504
Irvine, CA 92623
[email protected]
888-271-1105

Class Counsel

Scott Edward Cole
COLE & VAN NOTE

Ronald W. Armstrong
THE ARMSTRONG FIRM

Defense Counsel

Kahn A. Scolnick
Bradley J. Hamburger
Katie K. Geary
GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP