What to Do if Water Floods into the Furnace

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Inspect your air ducts.

What to Do if Water Floods into the Furnace

Flooding in your office can present some serious problems. The costs to repair the damage can be steep. Plus, you may experience a business interruption. A furnace flood is common where there are water issues in the workplace. If this happens, the HVAC system can fail. It's important to quickly address this emergency so you can reduce the risk of additional damages. 

1. Don't Touch the Appliance 
When water comes into contact with an appliance, safety is your chief concern. There is risk of shock or even electrocution with a flooded furnace. Do not try to turn off or on the furnace. Let a professional assess the damage. In fact, it's wise to turn off the electricity to your facility. 

2. Call an HVAC Specialist
A professional heating and ventilation technician should inspect the appliance after a furnace flood. The technician will review the extent of the damage and diagnose how to repair it or whether to replace it. You will want to call an HVAC professional as soon as possible after the incident. Waiting too long will lead to more expensive repairs and possibly replacing the entire HVAC system. 

3. Do Air Duct Cleaning
If the furnace has flooded, you will also want to inspect the air ducts. Water in the furnace means there is also likely water in the ducts. Failure to clean them could cause mold to form. If this happens, the air quality in your office could become unhealthy. An HVAC specialist will clean the ducts and replace them if necessary. You will want a professional water damage restoration team to repair or replace the furnace and air ducts before using the air conditioning or heating systems in the building.
The safety and well-being of your employees are vital. If there is a furnace flood in your office, follow these steps.