Title: CHECK FLOOD-DAMAGED APPLIANCES
From: extinfo
Posted: 8:45am 7/16/93

Iowa State University Extension news release

CHECK FLOOD-DAMAGED APPLIANCES

It's hard to predict when heavy or excessive rain may 
cause flooding in your home.  If your home sustains flood 
damage, your electrical system and electrical appliances 
need to be thoroughly checked by experts, says Mary 
Yearns, Iowa State University Extension housing 
specialist.

"Don't plug any appliances into outlets until the wiring 
has been inspected," Yearns says.

Appliances that have had working parts submerged in water 
should be serviced.  Running equipment before it is 
properly cleaned could seriously damage it.

Meanwhile, you can clean the hard surfaces of your 
appliances.

  *  Use a heavy-duty cleaner and hot water to remove
stains and silt deposits.  Follow up with a rinse solution 
of two tablespoons chlorine bleach to each quart of water.

  *  When removing gritty deposits, rinse your cloth in
water frequently to avoid scratching enamel or metal 
surfaces.

  *  To remove odors from freezers and refrigerators, wash
the inside of the cabinet and the plastic gasket that 
seals the door with a heavy-duty cleaner and water.  Rinse 
with water and dry.  If the odor remains, wash with a 
solution of one teaspoon baking soda to each quart of warm 
water.

After they've been serviced, washers and dryers that have 
been immersed in floodwater will need to be sanitized.  To 
disinfect the washer, pour chlorine bleach into the empty 
machine and complete a 15-minute cycle at the hot setting.  

Unplug the dryer and wipe all areas of the drum and dryer 
door with a cloth dipped in bleach and water solution.  
Leave the dryer door open until all parts are thoroughly 
dry.  Then plug in and resume normal use.

Yearns recommends wearing rubber gloves for all clean-up 
work.

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Contact:
Mary Yearns, Extension Housing Specialist, (515) 294-8520