Owner`s manual

Restoring Heating Systems After a Flood
ASSESSING DAMAGE AND GENERAL CLEAN-UP
Any heating system exposed to
flooding should be
professionally inspected,
cleaned and reconditioned
before reuse. Floodwater may
have damaged heating
equipment and undermined
chimneys. If chimney cracks or
leaks go unrepaired, your family
is at risk of fire or
carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Ask the service person if there is
anything you can do to help
before his or her arrival. Usually
this will include turning off fuel
and power to flooded units as a
safety measure, and removing
mud and debris from the furnace
housing and inside the chimney.
Leave things like inspection of
oil storage tanks and cleaning of
motors, blowers and other
flooded parts to the
professional. Flood insurance
and federal disaster assistance
programs usually will help
replace flooded gas and oil
appliances, including furnaces.
OIL AND GAS SYSTEMS
In general, any flooded parts should be professionally inspected and
cleaned before turning the system back on. Check your owner's manual if
you are unfamiliar with the system.
♦ If your furnace was flooded to the level of the burners, turn off the
valve on the pipe leading to it. If burners were hot when flooded,
parts may have cracked.
♦ Modern furnaces also have an electrical switch for blowers. Turn this
off as well if any furnace parts were flooded.
OIL-BURNING SYSTEMS
♦ Have the storage tank inspected by an experienced person to make
sure water and dirt have not entered.
♦ Have the electric motor, burners, blowers, fuel pump and gears
cleaned and reconditioned by an expert. Flooded fuel filters should be
replaced.
♦ Be certain that the fan motor, electric ignition systems and wiring are
completely clean and dry before you turn on the electricity.
♦ If you have a hot water system, clean the fins on baseboard radiators.
Clean any wall radiators.
LIQUID PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
SYSTEMS
♦ Some natural gas systems may have a valve to the pilot gas line, in
addition to the main fuel valve. Turn both off if this is the case.
♦ Have a service person:
a) Check to see if water leaked into the controls or pressure
regulator.
b) Clean and recondition all flooded equipment, including burner
elements, electric controls and regulators.
c) Replace severely flooded electric blower motors.
♦ If you smell natural gas — which has a distinctive, putrid odor —
leave your home and contact your utility company or a service
person. Do not use open flames in the area.
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension FLOOD-CLEAN-UP/REPAIR
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