Appliances made wet by floodwaters or by rainwater after roofs were damaged will need extreme care before reuse. This care will be important to protecting both the life of the appliance and your safety.

Appliances submerged by floodwaters, particularly salt water, are often not repairable. Appliances that have been wet by rainwater and not flooded are often repairable. It is always desirable to have these repairs made by a reputable service person. Following disasters, however, individuals who have these skills often are very busy, and the owner of the appliance may find it necessary to make repairs.

Remember that an appliance damaged by water can sometimes be made functional but will have a shortened life expectancy. Depending on the age and condition of the appliance before it was damaged by water, and considering the danger of personal injury from improper repairs, it may be advisable to replace the appliance rather than repair it.

Many small appliances, including television sets, microwave ovens and radios, are more electronic than electrical. The tips offered in this fact sheet do not necessarily apply to electronic repairs. Most small appliances or electronic devices are not economical to repair.

General Considerations

Conditioning an appliance is primarily a matter of cleaning, drying and lubricating.  Part of this process may involve disassembling the appliance.  Do not attempt to disassemble parts (such as an air conditioning compressor) that are hermetically sealed.  Also, do not turn an appliance on before it is completely dry.  Moisture could cause short circuits, which, beside being a safety hazard, could ruin an otherwise-salvageable appliance. 

Safety Precautions

• Approach a flooded or wetted appliance with caution. Water can short-circuit an electrical appliance so that parts which don’t normally conduct electricity can shock you.
• Disconnect power to the building or to the circuit that feeds the suspected appliance. Then unplug the appliance. If the power to the building or neighborhood has been shut off, be sure all appliances suspected to have water damage have been unplugged before power is restored.
• If you are uncertain whether an appliance has been damaged by water, do not test it by plugging it in and/or turning it on. Either treat it as damaged or have a knowledgeable individual check for electrical shorts to assure that it is safe to use.

Motor and Circuit Repairs

• Disconnect all switches, contacts, motors and electrical wiring. Make a diagram of the connections or list the steps you took to disconnect these items; this will help you remember how to reassemble the parts.
• Flush all parts of the system with clean water and allow the parts to dry for several days before reconnecting.
• Use spray-on drying agents to help displace moisture in contacts, motors and similar areas.
• Reassemble the disconnected parts referring to your diagram or list of steps.
• Be sure the appliance is dry and properly grounded before reconnecting it to the electrical supply.

Caring for the Insulation and Mechanical Components

• Appliances that are insulated -- such as ranges, ovens, freezers, refrigerators and water heaters -- need to have wet insulation removed or dried in place.
• Remove insulation by opening the frame of the appliance; consult your owner’s manual for construction details. Use gloves when removing the insulation. Clean the cavity before installing new insulating material. Duct insulation can be used to replace the old fiberglass insulation.
• On appliances where fiberglass insulation cannot be removed, carefully drill holes in the outer casing so the insulation can dry.
• Newer freezers and refrigerators include foam insulation that will not require removal.
• Remember to check the mechanical parts of the electric appliance. Such things as the bearings, door hinges and other moving parts should be dried and lubricated to prevent rust.

Preventing Damage from Future Floods

• If the appliance was damaged by shallow floodwaters, you can help prevent future damage by installing the repaired or replacement appliance on a platform.
• Consider elevating the electrical system itself. Install all electrical switches and outlets 12 inches above either the 100-year flood level or the level of the highest known flood at your location - whichever is higher.
• Check with the local permit office to see if permits are required for any physical alteration of the location of your appliances or for modification of the electrical wiring in your building. Permit and inspection requirements vary greatly throughout the state.