Flooding: Before & After

Restoring Vital Services — Air conditioning and heating equipment

Equipment flooded with fresh water can often be saved. Normally, equipment flooded with salt water must be replaced.

Immediately disconnect all power from equipment and make no attempt to operate the equipment until it has been checked by a qualified electrician. If service is not available, the following steps may be followed:

• General cleaning, drying and renovation
• Condensing units, air handlers, single package air conditioners
• Thermostats
• Gas furnaces
• Electric furnaces, duct heaters, supplementary resistance heaters

 

General cleaning, drying and renovation

1. Wash all parts of the equipment with clear water or with water and detergent (do not use products with ammonia) if the equipment is covered with mud and silt. Air-dry equipment for at least three days.
   
   
2. Flood motors and transformers with clear water, and then anhydrous alcohol. Allow to air-dry, then place in an oven warmed to not over 250 degrees farenheit for several hours or clean with Graybar CRC 2-26, Electro-Dry or another similar product. Re-oil all motor bearings before using equipment.
   
   
3. Replace switches or any electrical part that has corroded or rusted to the extent that improper operation might result. Replace all submerged parts that function as final safeties, such as a high-pressure switch, limit switches or external compressor overloads.
   
   
4. Replace all capacitators (phenolic-cased).
   
   
5. Disconnect and drain cables and conduits. Use a brush and anhydrous alcohol to thoroughly clean wire leads and terminals to a corrosion-free condition and air-dry.
   
   
6. Flush and brush clean tun capacitators (oil-filled, sealed case) and dry with a cloth. Put particular emphasis in the terminal area. Do not place capacitators in an oven.
   
   
7. Flush insulation and air seals with clear water and allow to air dry before operating the equipment. (Replace any fiberglass insulation).
   
   
8. Clean all terminal boards thoroughly on both sides, flush with clear water, and then anhydrous alcohol, and allow to air dry completely.
   
   
9. Spray all wiring and component areas of the washed and dried equipment with Graybar CRC 2-26, Electro-Dry or some other similar product to reduce electrical leakage and prevent future corrosion.

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Condensing units, air handlers, single package air conditioners

1. Replace all external compressor overloads.
   
   
2. Flush the compressor terminal box with anhydrous alcohol. Brush metal-glass terminals with anhydrous alcohol. Glass or terminal insulation areas must be absolutely clean. Spray the cleaned and dried terminal area with Graybar CRC 2-26, Electro-Dry or other similar product.
   
   
3. Check drain pans and drain piping for obstructions and free drainage.

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Thermostats

1. Replace thermostats or clean them with anhydrous alcohol and allow them to air dry.
2. Check operation and calibration carefully on the thermostats that were not replaced.

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Gas Furnaces

1. Replace all gas valves.
   
   
2. Drain all furnace piping, including manifold and drip legs. Flush and dry all pilot and main burner orifices and their associated tubing.
   
   
3. Flush main burners with clear water and wipe dry. Make sure all burner ports and slots are free of any debris or rust.
   
   
4. Re-oil blower bearings on belt drive furnaces prior to start up.

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Electric furnaces, duct heaters, supplementary resistance heaters

1. Open coil heating elements — flush heating elements with clean water and wipe dry.
   
   
2. Replace calrod heating elements. (Moisture migrates into and impregnates the oxide that surrounds the heating wire. Drying at low temperature is not advisable as these pockets, if vaporized, can become pockets of high pressure gas that can rupture the sheath.)
   
   
3. Replace any limit switches or sequencers that are sealed and cannot be visually inspected.
   
   
4. Spray wash and dry control area of electric heater with Graybar CRC 2-26, Electro-Dry or other similar product.

After renovation service has been completed, it is imperative that the equipment be completely dry and checked for electrical leakage with an Ohm meter. The equipment should also be checked for proper electrical grounding prior to application of power and start up.

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