opinions

Chris_17

last night we had so much rain that many places flooded, cars were floating away!! sorry don't have pictures!

we had MANY calls this AM for flooded basements, and sump pumps not working.

my question is --- how would you handle a HO not wanting to install a new water heater when the old one flooded? the water level in the basement was about knee high, and defenately over the gas valve. she needed a new one but refused. so I left. the boss told me all I had to do was replace the gas valve, and relight.

Is he asking for legal trouble? I thought the manufacturers and state law required new water heaters when the existing heater has been in a flood. what about if the flood water never reached the gas valve, but the burner was under water??

Chris

Larry_7

Boss is correct

Can't believe I'm saying this but I thik the boss is right on this one. I'm aware of no regulations that require replacement of flooded appliances. I do know that gas-carrying controls shall be replaced if they've been submerged. I would offer that or a red tag. Can't vouch for electrical components. I've heard that jacket insulation on some equipment can be ruined. I would think injected foam insulation on most water heaters would be impervious to water damage. Burners, pilots, etc. can be cleaned. My .02

Larry

Mark Hunt

uhhhhhh


look at the manufacturers paper work on this.

EVERY SINGLE gas appliance manufacturer that I have EVER spoken to on this said that a flood negates the warranty and that the unit should be replaced.

Mark H

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Unknown

CPSC warning on flooded equipment

http://ssro.gsfc.nasa.gov/Safety_Alerts/2001_alerts/04_2001/CPSC_Warns_Flood_Victims_Replace_All_Gas_Control_Valves_Electric_Circuit_Breakers_GFCIs_and_Fuses_That_Have_Been_Under_Water.pdf

MikeB34

you were right

Most manufacturers recommend replacing the unit, at minimum the gas controls. Did the sewers back up? if so.. the potential for molds in the insulation is increased. We have always replaced if the sewers back up in a flood. Tell em to get the insurance to pay for it. Mention potential mold problems and its not that hard to get their wallets open. If they decline, get em to sign a paper saying that you warned them of potential molding and they decided otherwise.

Good Luck.
Mike

Dale

Basement water

We look at the water line, if the gas control was under water it should be changed. If the burner was under water, like on a gas water heater, we wash out and relight. Some years ago a flood in I think Fargo on the red river in MN generated a picture in the HVAC news of a huge pile of water heaters and furnaces, the insurance companies paid for these as no gas control is designed to operate under water and the gas and other controls is most of the cost of the equipment.

BillW@honeywell

This is serious...

NEVER relight any appliance that has been flooded. IT MUST be replaced! All warranties on our ignition equipment are voided by exposure to floodwaters, and the controls must be replaced. Any homeowner or contractor who knowingly relights a flooded appliance is exposing themselves to serious property damge, potential loss of life and legal problems. DO NOT RELIGHT ANY FLOODED EQUIPMENT!!!

Chris_17

thanks

for all the replies!!!

I told the boss I wasn't going to relight the unit, but I think he went out and changed the valve and relit it. the water level was about knee high in that basement, defenately over the gas valve..

there were a few other basements flooded, but the water did not get high enough to touch the gas valve, but was defenately over the burners.

Is he asking for legal trouble?? There is not much I can do as his employee, except to walk away and let him be responsible for anything that could happen.....I did mention that this could get into a legal situation if something happened, but he ignored me!

I think it is time to look elsewhere for employment!!!


Chris

Tony_8

please clarify

you mean to change out the ignition components, right ?

I can't believe anyone would think a complete water heater needs to be replaced because the gas control got flooded. The gas control is the problem, not a steel tank.