Your HVAC System After a Flood: A Baton Rouge Guide

Why it matters here

In August 2016, prolonged rain pushed the Amite and Comite rivers to record levels and flooded thousands of homes in the Baton Rouge area (2016 Louisiana floods). Heavy rain events and tropical storms can flood homes far from the rivers, too. Knowing what to do with your heating and cooling equipment afterward saves money and keeps you safe.

1. Safety first

• Do not turn on power to equipment that was wet. Ready.gov warns against using electrical appliances that have been wet and touching electrical equipment while standing in water (Ready.gov, Floods).
• If a gas furnace or water heater was flooded, keep the gas off to it and have it checked before relighting. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and your gas utility.
• Never run a generator indoors or in a garage.

2. What usually needs replacing

Outdoor unit

If water reached the compressor and electrical components, replacement is common. Silt and debris in the coil, corroded controls and a compromised compressor are the usual damage. An inspection decides.

Furnace or air handler

Units in garages, closets or under raised floors that were submerged have motors, controls, gas valves and insulation that are hard to make safe and reliable again. Replacement is usually recommended.

Ductwork

Flex duct and fiberglass duct board soaked by floodwater should be replaced; they hold contaminated water and grow mold. Sheet metal ducts can sometimes be cleaned and disinfected. The EPA notes that porous materials that cannot be cleaned and dried should be discarded (EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home).

Thermostat and wiring

Low-voltage wiring and thermostats that got wet should be checked or replaced.

3. Document for insurance

Photograph the water line on equipment, model and serial number plates, and damaged ducts before anything is removed. Keep receipts. Flood insurance and homeowner policies treat HVAC equipment differently, so call your agent.

4. Rebuild smarter

• Raise the outdoor unit on a stand where floodplain rules and the site allow.
• Move indoor equipment from a garage or ground-floor closet to the attic if practical.
• Choose the right size: the house may be tighter after rebuilding, and an oversized system will leave it damp.
• Add surge protection and a float switch on the drain pan.

5. Years later

If your home flooded in 2016 or later and the system was replaced in a hurry, it is worth having it checked now: equipment from 2016–2017 is about ten years old, and rushed installs sometimes left sizing, charge or duct problems. Ducts that were dried and reused can still cause musty smells.

Related services

• Ductwork & Airflow: Leaky and crushed attic ducts, flood-damaged ductwork, hot rooms and sweating registers.
• AC Installation & Replacement: Full system replacement, sizing for humidity, SEER2 minimums, new refrigerants and flood-smart installs.
• Emergency AC Repair: No cooling during a heat advisory, water through the ceiling, burning smells and post-storm problems.

Sources: 2016 Louisiana floods; Ready.gov, Floods; EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.