Yes, a flooded basement can ruin a boiler or furnace. Water that reaches the burner, gas valve, controls, circulator pump or wiring can damage them or make them unsafe. Shut the system off, do not restart it until a heating technician checks it, and get the water out fast. Call (413) 603-1274 to pump and dry the basement.
How high did the water get?
- Below the base: the equipment may be fine. Dry the area and have it checked if in doubt.
- Touching the base or jacket: rust and wet insulation risk. Have it checked before running.
- Above the burner or controls: do not run it. Burners, gas valves, electronics and pump motors usually need repair or replacement.
The winter catch
In winter, a boiler that is off for long can let the house cool until pipes freeze, which is how a basement flood turns into burst pipes upstairs. If the heat will be off for a while in a cold snap, keep the house warm with safe space heaters, open sink cabinets, and if it will be off overnight in very cold weather, consider shutting the main and draining the lines. See how long before pipes freeze without heat.
What to do
- Turn the boiler or furnace off at its switch, if you can reach it safely.
- Do not walk through water near electrical. See is it safe to walk in a flooded basement.
- If you smell gas or oil, leave and call the gas company or 911.
- Get the water out: (413) 603-1274.
- Have a heating technician check the equipment before it runs again.
Chicopee basements
Most Chicopee homes have the boiler or furnace, the water heater and the oil tank in the basement, close to the water main where pipes burst. A burst there or a failed water heater can put water around all of them at once. We dry the basement and tell you plainly what got wet.
Parts that are usually ruined by water
Water does the most harm to the electrical and control parts of heating equipment: the burner motor, the ignition system, the circuit boards and controls, and the circulator pumps. Gas valves and safety controls that were under water are commonly replaced rather than dried, because they may look fine and fail later. On an oil system, the burner and its controls sit low on the boiler and are often the first parts to go under. The boiler's heat exchanger itself can sometimes be saved. A heating technician makes that call.
Keeping the house warm in the meantime
If the heat is off in winter while equipment is checked, the risk moves to the rest of the plumbing. Use space heaters kept away from anything that can burn, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, and drip faucets. If the heat will be off for a long time in deep cold, shut the main and drain the lines. See how long before pipes freeze without heat.
Water heaters too
A gas or electric water heater that sat in water needs the same check before it is turned back on. Its controls and burner sit right at floor level.
Questions
Will insurance pay for a flooded boiler?
If the flood came from a sudden burst pipe, often yes. Groundwater or surface flooding usually needs flood insurance. See burst pipe insurance.
Is my oil tank a problem?
If it shifted, floated or you smell oil, call your oil company before anything else.
Flooded basement? Call now
Call (413) 603-1274 now. Locally owned in Chicopee. See flooded basement cleanup.