Flood Damaged Household Appliances

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Are you scratching your head wondering if your flood damaged household appliances can be saved, or if you can safely operate them after just a few inches of water flooded your basement …

There are a few household appliances that, because of their large size, are usually installed directly on the floor surface. With the basements and crawlspaces that are subject to flooding, such installations become very risky, and it would probably make sense to either elevate those appliances on some kind of a platform or relocate them to the first floor to prevent the possibility of water damage.

Some or all of the electrical and gas components (depending on the design) in water heaters, furnaces, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, etc. are located in the lower part of the appliance enclosure. Often, even just a few inches of water might compromise those parts, making the operation of the appliance hazardous.

Yes, you’re right: this may not happen. Just like the cell phone you’ve dropped into the sink, and after a few days of drying, it started operating again. But you’ve lost warranty on it now – cell phone manufacturers will have proof because there is a little sensor inside the phone which changes color after being exposed to moisture.

Flood damaged household appliances are unlikely to have such sensor, but because their electrical and gas components have been designed to operate in a dry environment, submersing them under water might cause unexpected problems, eventually leading to electrical shock and / or gas explosion.

It’s just like with a flooded car, even if it runs for a while, its electrical wiring and other components will start corroding and deteriorating, eventually causing the car to stop running, possibly even start a fire. It might happen after a week, month or even a year.

When you see have it replaced in the “flood damaged household appliances” listings below, it applies to the whole appliance, and not just the parts. In many cases it might actually be cheaper to install a new appliance than have all the compromised parts replaced (unless you’re capable of doing it yourself).

  1. Flooded gas water heater – if the water level reaches the burner or gas regulator / temperature control – have it replaced. Moisture might cause corrosion of those parts and create hazardous conditions, including gas explosion. Also, soaked insulation under the exterior jacket will cause water body to corrode (same for electric).
  2. Flooded electric water heater – depending on the size, they might have one or two heating elements. All submersed electrical connections and components (wires, terminals, relays, thermostat, etc.) will eventually corrode and create hazardous conditions / possible fire – have it replaced.
  3. Flooded Gas Furnace – it’s bad for any design. Up-flow, down-flow, horizontal – a few inches of water will most likely cover some of the gas or / and electric (electronic) components – have it replaced. If you’re not sure how high the water level was before it receded, turn off the power to the furnace and remove the lower service panel – there might be a distinctive water line on the side walls, cover, or any other internal parts.
  4. Flooded Electric Furnace – any electrical parts submerged under water require replacement. With an electrical furnace, it might actually be cheaper to replace the electrical parts, unless the blower and its motor were also affected – have it checked by an licensed HVAC contractor.
  5. Flooded washer / dishwasher – both have electrical wiring, motors, and other components installed in the lower portion of its enclosure – if submerged, have it replaced
  6. Flooded clothes dryer – gas or electric will have a motor at the base, some wiring, gas valve / pressure regulator – if submerged, have it replaced
  7. Flooded gas range – gas supply, regulator, and bottom burner may be at the very bottom (depending on the design) – if submerged, have it replaced
  8. Flooded  electric range – there are usually electrical connections, terminals, and the bottom heating element within the few inches from the floor level – if submerged, have it replaced

Sometimes, your flood damaged household appliances might be salvageable, but have a professional determine it … It’s for your own safety!

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2 Comments
  1. rose mcmahon says

    3 feet of water in basement from last week storm, is it safe to put on gas dryer and wash machine after a week of drying? thank you

    1. admin says

      Sorry for that, just hope it didn’t cause much damage besides those two appliances. They might work if they dry, but… The problem with electronic / electric components and gas controllers installed in those appliances is that they are not designed for being submerged in water. Unless you have a stackable set or they were elevated significantly during the flood, both appliances might have been compromised (or not respond at all if they were running at the time of the flood).

      What might happen over time (this is like with a flooded car) – their components, terminals, wiring that was submerged will start corroding. Rusty connections become loose and can produce an arc / fire / short (you could get electrocuted). Clothes dryer burner could also corrode, start producing Carbon Monoxide, corroding connections start leaking gas + electric arc…

      This might not happen, but it is very probable. I would definitely not use it.

      Did you try to contact your home insurance provider, or flood wasn’t covered in it?

      PS. If you know exactly the water line level, you can replace critical components that were submerged. Depending on the brand and design of the appliances it might be sometimes cheaper then a new set.

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