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Underwater Heating Systems
Jeremy
Member Posts: 52
As we all know, anything requiring electricity or gas that has been underwater should be replaced. We have had some pretty serious floods here in southeastern Pa and our phone has been going crazy with service calls. When we tell the customer that these items must be replaced, they automatically feel we are trying to rip them off. I will not start any heater, water heater, gas or oil, without replacing these components. Anyone have any info that I can share with the customers regarding the dangers of starting any appliance that has been underwater? It is getting pretty old telling these customers that every control must be replaced and they accuse me of being a rip-off. We were contacted by our local codes department to issue equipment certifications to the people who recieved flood damage. There equipment must be certified before the electric company will turn the electricity back on. I know the risks involved starting any applicance without replacing certain components and will NOT issue any certifications without making proper repairs/replacements.
Thanks
P.S. For reasons beyond my imagination, most of the customers I have been in contact with do not have flood insurance. I know they have a lot of cleaning up to do and I do sympathize with them, however I will not do anything that puts me at risk. Thanks again
Thanks
P.S. For reasons beyond my imagination, most of the customers I have been in contact with do not have flood insurance. I know they have a lot of cleaning up to do and I do sympathize with them, however I will not do anything that puts me at risk. Thanks again
0
Comments
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How about contacting newspapers--even TV?
In the interest of public safety they SHOULD publish an article regarding things like submurged furnaces, water heaters, etc. The public should know that replacement of gas valves and other controls is NOT a "rip off" and is in fact REQUIRED BY LAW!
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Tim McElwain posted...
a long list of regulations etc that covered just this subject recently, right here on the Wall. I can't stress how important this is. NEVER attempt to relight ANY gas or oil fired appliance that has been exposed to flood waters. The entire control system MUST be replaced, if not the entire appliance. Attempts to relight flooded equipment may result in fire or explosion resulting in serious injury, death or additional property damage. Don't even THINK about relighting any flooded equipment!0 -
Both GAMA and FEMA
recommend complete replacement of all equipment which has been under water.
A former post on this:
Forum: The Wall (for Q&A)
Thread: OIL BURNER RECOMMISION AFTER FLOOD
Author: Gary Reecher
Subject: Found the GAMA Reference
URL: http://forums.invision.net/Index.cfm?CFApp=2&Message_ID=168718
http://www.gamanet.org/gama/news.nsf/vAttachmentLaunch/672A6B3F7399281185256ED200531607/$FILE/Flood-Damaged Appliances Should Be Replaced.pdf
http://www.gamanet.org/gama/news.nsf/vAttachmentLaunch/2F38C5FFE4968EBA85256F0900709290/$FILE/Jacksonville Flood.pdf
Also found that Weil McLain recommends replacing their unit if it has been flooded. If the boiler is not replaced they listed all the controls and included the jacket insulation needs to be replaced as well.
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