URGENT INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMET OF CODES AND BUILDING SAFETY REGARDING FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION

If you have been affected by the recent floods please read this carefully regarding what you need to do in regards to your home's water heater, and heating & cooling system. Hiller Plumbing Heating & Cooling is licensed, bonded, and insured. Hiller also follows all permit guidelines.

GUIDELINES FOR WATER HEATERS EXPOSED TO FLOOD WATERS

The Department of Codes and Building Safety urges you to use extreme caution when restarting any Water Heating Equipment that has been submerged or water damaged during flooding. Prior to re-starting any equipment you should have a licensed Plumbing or Mechanical contractor inspect the equipment. Generally the replacement of a residential 50-gallon water heater does not require a permit. It would require a permit if you were to replace the water heater and change the fuel type (example: going from electric to gas or from gas to electric).

Whether a water heater uses gas, or electricity, if it was exposed to flood water, the unit must be replaced.

AHRI has provided reasons why it is required to replace water heaters which have been exposed to flood waters.

• A new water heater is a relatively small investment, and replacing it is fairly easy to do. If the water heater was more than five years old, the chances are good that a new unit will be more efficient, which will save the homeowner money.
  
  
• In a gas unit, valves and controls can corrode and cause it to malfunction. In an electric unit, the thermostat and controls can corrode and cause malfunction.
  
  
• In both types, the insulation surrounding the unit will likely be contaminated and will be nearly impossible to disinfect. In addition, the insulation takes a great deal of time to dry and can lead to corrosion of the tank from the outside. Even if water heater components have been cleaned and the unit seems to operate properly, parts may corrode in the future and create a very hazardous condition.
  
  
• Both gas and electric water heaters have a pressure relief valve that can corrode and stick after being exposed to flood water. This is a very hazardous condition

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association which represents manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment. For more information visit the following website www.ahrinet.org

GUIDELINES FOR RE-STARTING WATER DAMAGED HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT

The Department of Codes and Building Safety urges you to use extreme caution when restarting any Heating or Cooling Equipment that has been submerged or water damaged during flooding. Prior to re-starting any equipment you should have a licensed Mechanical contractor inspect the equipment and clean, repair, or replace as necessary prior to putting back in use.

Below are some guidelines to help determine if replacement is the better choice than repair.

NOTICE: The repair or reconditioning of heating and cooling equipment should only be considered when in direct contact with the equipment manufacturer and following the instructions of the manufacturer.

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has compiled a list of heating and cooling equipment for homeowners to consider replacing if flood damaged:

Ductwork: If a house under storm repair contains a central forced air system, attention should also be paid to the ductwork. A contractor will not try to salvage duct insulation that has been in contact with flood water, but will replace it because it is impossible to decontaminate. New duct insulation shall provide an R=8. The contractor also will clean, dry and disinfect the ductwork itself. A thorough job will require disassembling the duct-work, but the silver lining is that such repairs will allow the contractor to seal joints in the ductwork and improve insulation to reduce heat and cooling loss.

Heat Pumps and Air Conditioning Systems: Split air conditioning and heat pump systems have power and control wiring between the indoor and outdoor parts of the system, and piping through which refrigerant flows through the system. If flood water has repositioned either the indoor or outdoor units of a split system even by a small amount, there is a potential for refrigerant leaks. The system will then require major repair or full replacement. If the refrigerant system remains intact after the flood, the entire system should be cleaned, dried and disinfected. Homeowners should have a contractor check the indoor and outdoor units' electrical and refrigeration connections, including all control circuits. The decision to repair or replace should be made after consultation with a qualified professional on a case by case basis.

Gas Furnaces and Boilers: If there is any question whether flood water has reached a gas furnace or boiler, it should be checked by a qualified contractor. This equipment has gas valves and controls that are especially vulnerable to water damage from floods damage that might not be visible. Corrosion begins inside the valves and controls, and damage may not be apparent, even if the outside of the device is clean and dry. At a minimum, this damage can result in reliability problems and are potentially very hazardous. Gas equipment and appliances which have been submerged in flood waters must be replaced for reliability and safety.

Electric Furnaces: An electric furnace consists of electrically heated coils, a fan to provide air circulation across the coils, and controls that include safety relays. As with a gas furnace, an electric furnace is susceptible to corrosion and damage from flood water, creating potential reliability problems or safety hazards. If there is any question whether flood water has reached an electric furnace, homeowners should have it checked by a contractor.

Propane Heating: Use extreme caution where there is the potential for propane leaks and have propane equipment checked, re-paired and/or replaced by a contractor as quickly as possible after a flood. In every case, contractors must replace all valves and controls that have been in contact with flood water. The gas pressure regulator on a propane system should also be checked. This regulator contains a small vent hole to sense outside pressure. For effective gas pressure regulation, this hole must always remain unobstructed. During a flood, debris can easily plug the hole, causing dangerous malfunction or corrosion. Propane equipment and appliances which have been submerged in flood waters must be replaced for reliability and safety.

Radiant Floor Heat: With this type of heating system, electrically heated cables or tubing circulating a fluid are embedded underneath or within the flooring material. The cables warm the floor, which in turn warms the room by radiant heat. If the floor becomes wet from a flood, it can weaken and perhaps crack and may need replacement. Both electrical cables and tubing can be damaged due to a wet floor. Therefore, a qualified professional should be consulted to determine whether the system can continue to be used.

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association which represents manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment. For more information visit the following website www.ahrinet.org

Click this link to view the exact release from the Department of Codes.