Homeowners in Windsor, Ontario, are no stranger to fall flooding caused by excess precipitation, but many don’t realize the damage it can cause to their home comfort systems. We’ve broken down the steps you should follow if you suspect your home comfort systems, like your furnace and water heater, may have sustained flood damage.

Assess the Damage Safely
If you think your home comfort systems, including your furnace, may have been damaged due to flooding, the first thing you want to do is quickly assess the damage. Before you go anywhere near the equipment, you want to ensure that you shut off the electricity to any of the affected systems at the breaker. All you need to do is visually check if the flooding reached your furnace and water heater because if it has, they are likely damaged. If the flood water did reach your home comfort systems, leave the power off, and contact an HVAC specialist immediately.

Water Heater
In most homes the water heater is right next to the furnace, so if your heating system has sustained flood damage, usually your water heater has too. Unfortunately, in most cases, if a water heater has been affected by floodwater it is recommended that the whole unit be replaced rather than repaired. This is because the gas and electrical components can corrode and oxidize due to the moisture that’s trapped in the unit. The insulation can also begin to develop mold and bacteria once it has been submerged in water, but you should contact an HVAC specialist to assess the extent of the damage.

Furnace
If your basement has flooded and you suspect the floodwaters may have damaged your furnace, you should call an HVAC technician immediately. Just like your water heater, the gas and electrical components, as well as the valves inside the unit, are susceptible to rust and corrosion. The heating coils and fans inside your furnace can also be irreparably damaged by floodwater. There is no way for homeowners to assess the extent of the damage, but an HVAC specialist can tell you whether the unit needs to be replaced or simply repaired.

Contact Your Insurance Company
Be sure to contact your insurance agent if any of your home comfort systems, like your water heater and furnace, are damaged by flooding. They can tell you what coverage they provide, and you can pass that information along to your HVAC service provider.

Worried your home comfort systems may have been damaged by flooding?
Contact the home comfort specialists at Fahrhall to ensure everything is running as it should be.

Fahrhall has been proudly serving the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions HVAC needs for over 50 years. Our team is committed to providing our clients with quality service and reliable equipment.

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