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Addressing Water Damage in Household Appliances

Written by jsolloway on . Posted in , .

An often-overlooked concern after a flood in a home is water damage to the household’s appliances.  Even after the water has been removed and the area dried out, there may be lurking damage to an appliance’s electrical system.  Turning on a water damaged appliance can create serious safety concerns, as it can short-circuit and shock those nearby. 

When a Flood Occurs Immediately Shut Power to Household Appliances

Household appliances affected by water damage that are connected to a power source can pose a significant risk to anyone nearby.  This is particularly true if there is any amount of standing water around the appliance. Water can damage an appliance’s electrical panel and controls.  With electricity still connecting to a damaged device, the risk of a fire or a powerful shock is present.  For someone standing in water near the appliance, this is an even greater likelihood.  Shutting the power to the appliances from the breaker box is advised. It may also help to unplug and remove the affected appliance from the flooded area.

A Professional Can Evaluate Appliances for Damage

Unfortunately, much of the damage associated with appliances after a flood is not visible from the outside.  Water penetrating the electronics and circuits can leave lasting damage.  For this reason, it is important that a professional evaluate any appliances that may have been damaged by a flood.  This should be done prior to turning on or plugging in the appliance. 

A restoration team can not only have the electronics examined for damage, but they can also thoroughly clean the appliance.  In some flooding, the water can contain bacteria.  If left untreated these bacteria can grow, continuing to damage the appliance long after the flood.  A restoration team like Soil-Away can evaluate the appliance’s internal components, inspecting any wiring, motors and compressors for damage.  They can then sanitize the appliance to eliminate any bacteria left behind. If the appliance is non-salvageable, the restoration company can safely remove and dispose of it.

Appliances Can Be Susceptible to Mold

If a refrigerator or freezer was penetrated by the flood and the insulation became wet, you may be at risk for these appliances developing mold.  Typically, these appliances can withstand higher flood levels because of their sealed bottom.  However, you will still want to have these appliances inspected professionally after a flood. 

The restoration professionals at Soil-Away are on call 24/7 to help after a flood damages your home.  The team can evaluate your household appliances to determine the best course of action.  Contact Soil-Away at 603-641-6555.

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Jay KorsenJay Korsen
00:51 04 Aug 22
All I have to say is WOW and FANTASTIC. I just got done building out my new professional office with Soil-Away’s construction division and they went ABOVE and BEYOND. Scott and Mike, the carpenters are skilled artisans. The project got done on time and the project came in on budget! The finished results have been blowing people away. Much better than I could have anticipated. Anyone is welcome to come to our office, Bright Light Chiropractic in Hooksett to check out the fine work they did. Simply can’t sing enough praises for them. Sorry that the picture doesn’t do the job justice. Thank you Jack and your team. -Dr. Jay
Asian BreezeAsian Breeze
04:28 15 Jul 22
Since day one, I’ve known the owner, Jack, to be a hard-working and selfless leader. Through the efforts of him and his team, he was able to restore my flooded restaurant to tip-top shape. I was amazed with Jack’s orderliness throughout the entire process. Jack has proven to me that he is trustworthy, as both a friend and an individual in the work environment.
Breton LangendorferBreton Langendorfer
21:17 07 Jul 22
Highly recommend Soil-Away. A pipe in our upstairs bathroom gave and sent water down through a wall for at least a day before we noticed water dripping through our kitchen ceiling. Our insurance put us in touch with Soil-Away and they were at our house the next morning to assess the damage and dry things out. Joe, Ray and Tom were phenomenal to work with. They explained every part of the process to us and were very professional and friendly. If you have to deal with similar issues call Soil-Away, you won’t regret it.
Maureen CidzikMaureen Cidzik
13:49 15 May 22
Superior service from start to finish. Highly responsive. The entire team is dedicated to quality and customer care and it shows in everything they do – from first call, to estimate, to job completion.
Sarah GrugnaleSarah Grugnale
16:02 14 Jan 22
Joe and Tommy were amazing to deal with, they kept us updated every step of the process. They were punctual and hard working, answering all of our questions that we had. Everything was done as promised and even above and beyond. A great experience from start to finish.
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