University of Wisconsin-Extension
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Electric
heating systems are part of electrical wiring system clean-up.
Many local codes require that a licensed electrician do the
work, or that a municipal inspector check the system before
you turn the power back on.
If power
isn't shut off to a flooded furnace system, shut the main
switch off at the meter or remove the fuse to the furnace.
(When touching switches, stand on a dry board and use rubber
gloves or a dry stick to pull handles.)
Clean
mud and debris from electric baseboard heating fixtures, being
careful not to damage heating equipment. Have a professional
handle cleaning and reconditioning of all working parts.
A cracked,
clogged or leaky chimney can cause fires or carbon monoxide
poisoning. Be sure you check your chimney for dirt, debris
and leaks before lighting the furnace or a fire. If flood
damage has occurred, have a mason do an inspection and make
repairs.
- Most
chimneys have a foundation in the ground. If the chimney
looks like it has settled or tilted, examine the footing
to see whether it has been undermined.
- Have
the chimney rebuilt if it has settled badly or is broken
where it passes through floors or roof.
- If
mortar in the joints between bricks has disintegrated, have
a mason rejoint the chimney with cement.
Additional resources:
Your county family living agent, your local emergency government office, the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Related publications:
"Repairing Your Flooded Home," American Red Cross/Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1992.
Pamphlets on heating systems from your local utility company.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
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