OIL BURNER RECOMMISION AFTER FLOOD

ZONE CONTROL

We have been swamped here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania over the weekend.
As the flood waters of the Delaware river slowly receed, and people return to there homes, I'm sure the calls will begin to come in. this is the worst flooding this area has seen in nearly 60 years. Most of the homes in this area are forced hot air oil burners located in patrially to fully submeged basements. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any tips would sureley be appreciated.

bc

oil-2-4-6-gas

replace any and all motors,transformers,gas valves and controls check all heat exchangers replace all combustion chambers -----

ed wallace

flooded oil burners

replace anything electric that got submerged new chambers check heat exchangers

Bob Harper

flood damage

Don't forget all those gas valves. Any gas valve that has been submerged must be replaced. There is debate on replacing regulators such as on your meter outside or LP second stage regulators. I'd change 'em all. It isn't worth it. The problem is for so many they don't have flood insurance so they are out of pocket and will tend to cut corners wherever they can. They may eventually see some money from the gov't but my experience has been the little people never see a dime. Fast Eddy Rendell has declared disaster areas so some State and eventual FEMA help will come in but that won't pay for a new boiler. It will go to fix washed out bridges and roads.

BTW, I'm in Delaware Co.--my sump pump is still cooling off!

Weezbo

soon as you arrive turn off the electricity if your in Hip wader

s . then go see if you can find either a basement clean out or if you are lucky theres a clogged drain some where ...whatever ..open it and take a look at the appliance... if it is under water just leave it there till it drains enough to pull the burner up and out and try to keep it attached to the oil line....thats for starters .........New day different dollar......Sump pumps with 1/1/4" outlets are a good investment.water removing fans ,and a good shop vac ....a couple various telescoping mirrors and flash lights...a bunch of universal transformer plates electrode kits drive coupling material and end pieces of variety...and complete burners ....primarys and t stats and one thing i think is well spent $ rubber mat with gert holes in it maybe you can get it at sams club...they are real spendy however they isolate you from the water easily a 2X2 piece or tho of Thick blue or green foam board and a white piece of ply wood and a cookie sheet...and a drop light that can be lashed up to an electrical circuit breaker with a service plug attachment ...and fish out all your sheet metal tools cause you going to find there are a host of really U gal ie forced air tin systems on planet earth

Jaitch

Some other thoughts

Some folks may have flood insurance thru FEMA. Any that do, have them check to see whether or not FEMA will pay to repair unit. They may just want it replaced.
When (not if) the supply house runs out of motors, you may "get by" for a spell drying some old motors out in the oven (low temp, please). If the units have been flooded with CLEAR water (no mud, sludge, etc) they will sometimes be reuseable - in a pinch. Check oil tanks for water, even if you don't think any could have gotten in. Check same tanks for plumb and level - I've seen full tanks get picked up and twisted. Resist the temptation to straighten out any bent leg brackets and reset the tank -sell 'em a new one if you can. Remember what happens if you touch it.........

Best of luck - hope you get some sleep.

JOHN

BillW@honeywell

WARNING!!!

DO NOT ATTEMPT to use ANY gas valve, ignition module, pilot assembly, oil primary, ignition transformer, waterheater control or other combustion or safety limit control that has been exposed to flood waters. Attempts at relighting may result in fire or explosion resulting in serious injury or burns. ALL water-damaged controls MUST be replaced. Homeowners especially, PLEASE don't attempt this, or you will make a bad situation worse! Also, be careful when the electric power comes back on. Have a liscensed electrician check your system, and repair if needed before using it.

I know folks have been hit hard by the floods, and every effort will be made by your state &local officials, heating/cooling pro's, their suppliers and the manufacturers to get your systems back to normal as soon as possible.

Firedragon_4

Wearing the

multi-billed hat that I wear I would just like to echo out everything said here.

If they have insurance coverage replace ALL electrical and semi-electrical (milivolt gas valves, thermocouples, etc.), it will all fail in time, just a matter of when and then, no coverage. Being involved in insurance matters they expect it.

If they have a contract, do the same, it will save the labor expense later. In this case a penny saved is not a penny earned, it's a dollar wasted, FACT! I know that being a former service manager.

Finally, contact FEMA here:
http://www.fema.gov/

I've consulted to them I know there's money in the pipeline and you may find yourself in work up to your eyeballs. I did after the infamous Blizzard of 78 and it took my company from a one man shop to a 4 man shop.

Look into FEMA's 'Project Impact', there will now be money in the funnel for 'remidiation and prevention'. This is a great program that provides work for you at no cost to your customers, FACT!

Finally, if I can help, contact me here:

www.firedragonent.com

Firedragon_4

Just checked

PA has not made the FEMA flood list as of this morning. If your Governor has applied it's just takes the Prez's signature. Everything takes time.

http://fema.gov/storm/flood.shtm

BillW@honeywell

Bump to the top for an important thread

NM

Weezbo

ok new day ....*~/:)

unless the electrical is above water line,....bring another new circuit ,with a receptacle and light switch to the appliance.that way you Know what you have to work with ...before you get started...

Gary Reecher

Don't forget to check the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site http://www.cpsc.gov. Do a search of the site for flood and you'll get loads of safety recommendations.

Weezbo

on oil burning equipment shop vac the fire box on wet based

boilers...i have seen them holding water ,how? who knows..?
the dry based boilers after a flood are not something for your average joe to monkey with either...have lots of sealants, fire brick paste, wet packs with you...boiler rope flat and round Hi temp sealants.....never start the burner with anything other than the oil you bring with ...even if you stick the tank with water detector paste ....

Weezbo

whole new Day...*~/:)

so, when you manage to get furnaces running remind the home owners to take all the sheetrock and insulation out of thier flood damaged walls,and crank the heat up to like 90 for a day and open all the doors and windows and drive the moisture out as best you can....now that i saved you countless hours of enjoying hasseling with and experientialing up...id like to ask you to donate at least four hours to a seniors home ,or home for the blind in your area...look at it like this, it is better than burning daylight trying to figure out problems (that i have artfully had you circumnavigate)and with those things out of the equasion you should have plenty time to help out....Thanks *~/:)

Unknown

ANY EQUIPMENT THAT

WAS UNDER WATER SHOULD BE REPLACED PERIOD!!!!!

The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association states that any gas equipment which has been under water should be completely replaced. DO NOT REPAIR ANYTHING REPLACE THE ENTIRE APPLIANCE!!!!

Insurnce companies will back this up with no questions asked. That is as long as they have insurance.

Gary Reecher

Tim

can you give us a GAMA reference sheet number on that please.

Gary Reecher

Found The GAMA reference

Gary Reecher

Found the GAMA Reference

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.

John R. Hall

Horror stories

Let me know if you have any -- it would help our readers. E-mail to johnhall@achrnews.com.

Thanks!

Gary Reecher

RSES SAM Manual # 630-115

Examining Flooded Equipment is a reprint of 7 articles from Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News dated August 2, 1993. These were published due to the upper Mississippi River flooding. If you need a copy call RSES.