After a storm, an appliance can look fine and still be unsafe. The refrigerator hums, the oven door opens, the dishwasher looks dry, and it is tempting to plug everything back in and carry on. But water can reach wiring, controls and gas parts that you cannot see, and the risks are shock, fire and spoiled food.
This guide sets out what public-health and manufacturer sources say to do before using an appliance that got wet. It is organized as five steps, followed by a list of what to tell a technician and answers to common questions.
Step 1: Keep away from wet electrical equipment
FEMA’s flood guidance warns about electrocution and says not to touch wet electrical equipment or stand in water while doing so. It also says to turn off the electricity if it is safe to do so (Ready.gov). The key words are “if it is safe”. If the floor is wet, do not go near the electrical panel or the appliance.
Wait until the area is dry or until a professional can make it safe. Standing water and live electricity is the combination to avoid, so the first job is not to fix anything, it is to keep yourself out of danger.
Step 2: Do not reconnect or use it
GE advises disconnecting flooded or submerged products only after the water recedes, and never while standing in water. It says not to touch or reconnect them until a qualified service technician has inspected and repaired them (GE).
The CDC gives the reason: appliances that show signs of water exposure can cause shock or fire (CDC). An appliance that works after it dries out is not necessarily safe, so do not use a wet appliance to test whether it still runs.
Step 3: Gas and electrical parts need professional checking
The CDC advises having a professional evaluate the home, and says gas control valves, circuit breakers and fuses that got wet should be replaced (CDC). These are the parts that protect you, which is why they are not worth gambling on.
GE adds that electrical and gas components exposed to salt or brackish water have no economically feasible way to be reconditioned (GE). If you smell gas, follow your gas utility’s emergency instructions.
Step 4: Refrigerators and food
Storms often mean a power outage as well as water, so check the food. A refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours without power if the door stays shut. A full freezer holds for about 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours. Discard perishable food that was above 40°F for more than 4 hours.
Discard any food that touched floodwater, including food in non-waterproof packaging, and do not taste food to test it (CDC). For refrigerators with a water line or ice maker, GE cites CDC guidance to discard ice, flush the dispenser for 3 to 5 minutes, run the ice maker for an hour, and wash and sanitize the bins if the home was without water or under a boil alert (GE).
Step 5: Have it inspected before use
GE recommends arranging an inspection through an authorized service provider before a flooded appliance is used again. Do not wait until something stops working. An inspection checks what you cannot see from the outside, such as wiring, controls and connections.
What to tell the technician
- The brand and model number (on the label inside the unit or on the door frame)
- Whether the water was rain, floodwater or salt water
- How high the water got and how long the unit was wet
- Whether the power was on when it got wet
- Any display message or odor you noticed
- Photos of the appliance and the water line, if you can take them safely
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an appliance that was only splashed?
The CDC says to check appliances for signs of water exposure and not to use ones that show it, because they can cause shock or fire. Splashes can still reach controls and wiring. If you are unsure, do not use the appliance until a professional has checked it.
Should I unplug a wet appliance?
Only if you can do so safely and the area is dry. GE says not to disconnect products while standing in water. If the area is wet, keep away from the appliance and the electrical panel until it is safe.
Is food in the refrigerator safe after a power outage?
It depends on how long the power was out and the food temperature. A closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48 hours and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours, according to the CDC. Perishable food above 40°F for more than 4 hours should be discarded, and when in doubt, throw it out.
What about food that touched floodwater?
The CDC says to discard food that touched floodwater, including food in non-waterproof packaging. Screw-cap and snap-lid containers, and cans that are bulging, open or damaged, should also be discarded.
Do I need to replace parts of a gas appliance that got wet?
The CDC says gas control valves, circuit breakers and fuses that got wet should be replaced, and that a professional should evaluate the home. GE says gas and electrical components exposed to salt or brackish water cannot be economically reconditioned.
Who should inspect a flooded appliance?
GE recommends an authorized service provider. Do not reconnect or use the appliance until it has been inspected.
What should I do with the ice maker and water dispenser?
If the home was without water or under a boil alert, GE cites CDC guidance to discard ice, flush the dispenser for 3 to 5 minutes, run the ice maker for an hour, and wash and sanitize the bins.
Related reading
See our guide After a Power Surge or Outage: Appliance Safety Steps From Official Sources. To ask about an appliance that was exposed to water, visit our Contact Us page.
About American Service Alliance
American Service Alliance provides appliance repair. If an appliance in your home was exposed to water, you can send us the brand, model and a short description of what happened, and we will help you work out the next step.