Basement flooded, is boiler shot???

Boiler Guy

new pilots and ignition modules, blow out the manifolds and burners with compressed air, repair or replace any electrical components that might have got wet and you should be good to go

Mike Z.

Flooded basement, Is boiler shot?

I have 2 Dunkirk Series 9 model # 1504-1 boilers in the basement. Heres the problem, the basement flooded with about 13" of water. boilers were partially submerged, the gas valves were submerged as well as the very bottom half of the intermittent pilot control box. Does anyone think the boilers are savable? I think so, but another guy that "looked" said I should replace them, I'm thinking he just wants more profit. Please help. This is rental property and currently vacant.

Thanks,
=Mike

Dale

Boiler yes

Unless the boiler was running as the cold water hit it is probably fine. The burners can be washed in clean water and reused, the gas valve or other controls that were under water must be replaced.

Mike Z.

Gas Valves

How important is it to change these? the valves still turn freely. Is it a bad idea to try and fire up the system and see if its a go??? I was thinking the valves are sealed units and if gas couldnt get out than water couldnt get in...

andy_5

Deffinately replace gas controls.You can clean everything else.Are the boilers still holding water?If they are then I'm sure they will be fine.

Mike Z.

gas valves

I will replace the valves as long as everyone agrees they are shot. Oh by the way I love this website, certainly will add it to favorites. Thanks everyone, Im sure ill be posting again seeing as I always have my hand in something.

Thanks,

Mike

jim lockard

drown

Hey Mike--I had a customer who's basement flooded (rental)
drown the boiler and H20 heater. I had the septic tank guy pump the basement (5000)gallons of nasty water. I completly recontrolled the Gas fired boiler W/M with cast iron burners. I power wire brushed the burners cleaned them really well fired everything up and it worked and has been working for about 3 years now. Water Heater had to be replaced.hope this helps

Unknown

GAMA (Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association)

state that boilers or furnaces that have been subjected to flooding need to be replaced. Most of the time your insurance will cover the replacement. I used to clean and refurbish but not any more better to replace them.

Definetly all the controls that have come in contact with water and the gas valves need to be replaced. There is also a possibilty of controls that water did not touch got an electrical jolt.

The person who told you to replace was telling you right.

kevin coppinger_4

If anything ever goes....

wrong and you did not replace the elecrtic stuff...God help you...it's not worth the risk. You can't tell from the turning of a valve whether the insides are gone. All Mfg. say that if the controls get wet the to replace them....is it worth someones life???? kpc

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Jamie_6

Mike,

Tim is right! This happened to one of my customers and we showed the insurance company the paper work and they had no problem getting them replaced. Being that the boilers where submerged w/ water (even partially) Dunkirk lifts all there warranties and liabilities for those appliances. But if you want to assume all liability, Just fix'em.

Jamie


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Mike Z.

Fix or Fold???

Does anyone have an idea of the cost of new boilers as opposed to repairing these. I will get some pics and post so you guys can see what actually got wet. I'm thinking its only cast iron and the burners on the inside, is this harmful for the cast to get wet? The aquastat never got wet, but as stated in previous post it could have suffered an electric volt seeing as the gas valve and the intermittent pilot controls got wet...
Should I attempt repair or just fold and go new????

Unknown

The cost to not replace outweighs

anything they need to be replaced. Get the guy who quoted you a price to give you a written estimate and get a couple of others. In the meantime contact the insurance company. If you leave them in and anything happens you are liable.

Mike Z.

Pics of boilers

Here are a few pics of these boilers. Please give me your feedback after seeing these pics and then i'll make the decision to fix or fold.

Mike Z.

One more note

After closer inspection it looks as if the water never reached the intermittent control box and the gas vave was like more than 3/4 submerged.... If it makes a difference.

Unknown

Even if you do not

replace them you have to reinsulate the boiler, replace the burners, replace the manifold, replace the gas valve, replace the pilot and clean the boiler thoroughly.

I would replace them and be done with it. You are avoiding the inevitable. Down the road problems will arise believe me I have been involved with gas boilers for over 40 years and the voice of experience says get them out of there. I would also put full platforms under the new boilers, do not use blocks as that can mess up the combustion air.

Phil_6

My 2 cents

Looks like a couple of one zone, right out of the box, packaged boilers. It will probably take longer to repair them and clean em up than to change them.Four 1-1/4 slip couplings and a few new nipples for the gas and your
done ;-)

Seriously, it's a better value for the money you'll spend on the labor messing with them, and you'll still just have 2 old boilers to show for your money when you're done.

Phil

Mark Hunt

No difference


The code is very clear on this.

If you leave those boilers in place and try to repair them, you are setting yourself up for the lawsuit of the century.

If you are a gambling man, roll the dice. If either of those boilers causes harm to anyone for any reason and a good lawyer finds out they were flooded.......well let's just say that the cost of replacing them will seem VERY VERY small.

I'd bet a bunch of money that there isn't a test hole in the flue pipe of either of those units. that leads me to believe that the service company responsible for them doesn't know or care to test them for proper combustion. This also leads me to believe that when you get someone to replace certain parts of those boilers, the boilers will be put back in operation without PROPER testing.

And just what does "it's a rental property" mean?

Timmie posted the absolute law on this. Those units must be replaced. Period.

And to all of the other posters that suggested just replacing gas valves and ignitors, what if Mike saves your posts?

I can't tell you how much it will be to obey the law sir, but I can tell you the replacements will cost less than a funeral and less than what you can and will be sued for if you FAIL TO COMPLY. This isn't a game.

Respectfully,

Mark H

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Mike Z.

Thank You

Mark, Thank you for making this clear. To me it seemed feasible to try and fix them. I didnt realize that trying to repair a boiler that was partially submerged was such a bad idea, but I guess there is solid evidence elsewhere that proves otherwise.

"And just what does "it's a rental property" mean?"

I stated that to let everyone know that it was vacant and currently not in need of emergency repair due to the cold weather.

I would certainly not put anyones life on the line over saving a bit of change. I will have them replaced, you have my word on this. Maybe if it was in my own house I think I would attempt to repair them just because I like tinkering & I think that I could bring those boilers back to life.

Thanks for all of your help with this,
I'll send pics after the changout,

Thanks,
-Mike

Mark Hunt

Thank you Mike


for setting THE example.

You will never be sorry for doing it right.

Mark H



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Murph'_4

MIKE

SOMETIMES people that own rentals seem to choose the least expensive way out, understandable. Safety , Liability are sometimes put on the backburner due to budget restraints. value does not stop at first cost, it will pay for years to come, good luck!!



Murph'

joe_17

blocks

Timmie what do you mean by blocks can mess up the combustion air.Does that mean the same for oil?Are you talking about air flow currents to burners with partial blocks.Should all boilers be on a solid base,because i have seeen alot on blocks just under 4 corners and big gap under middle bottum of boiler.Thanks.