How To Know If Your Flooded Valuables Can Still Be Saved

Here’s a simple guide to help you decide if a household item is worth saving or is better thrown straight in the trash bin.

While our preparedness in times of calamities has improved little by little because of the intense typhoons and rains and we’ve experienced in the past, there still are times when the damage is just too much for us to handle. Some household items are rendered completely useless after getting drenched in murky waters, while some others can still be saved depending on the amount of damage to the item. Find out if a flooded item can still be useful using the tips below.

Important
Make sure that items, especially gas or electrical appliances, are disconnected from their power source to avoid serious injuries as well as further damage to the item. If you are not sure or qualified to make assessments, contact a certified electrician to do the job for you.

Things you need to consider
Before you start tinkering with an item that has been submerged in floodwater, take these things into consideration to make sure that you won’t be wasting time and resources in having it repaired. Some important things to consider:

  • Warranty of the appliance
  • Age of the appliance
  • Duration in floodwater
  • Repair/restoration cost

Salvaging appliances
Depending on the damage sustained by your appliance, you can make an assessment on whether or not the it can still be repaired. Among the types of damages due to flood are the following:

  • Submersion. If an appliance has been submerged in stagnant water, or worse, if the water has mud and other sediments in it, there is little chance that the appliance can still be repaired. More often than not, submerged items are already candidates for replacement, since the repair costs can be higher than getting a replacement. Also, liquid getting in contact with its metal parts and circuit boards must have caused it to corrode already.
  • Direct water contact. Unlike submersion where there is total damage caused by water, items in contact with running water still have the chance to be repaired. Since water just came into contact with the surface the most, cleaning your valuables and drying them thoroughly is the best thing you can do. However, look out for water residue—usually in the form of white spots in some parts—because it can accelerate the rate of corrosion. Using WD-40 or other lubricants can displace any form of moisture from your appliances.
  • Moist due to humidity. Excessive presence of water in a certain areas can cause the humidity to rise, which in turn can affect your appliances as well. When your appliances are in a place with high humidity, chances are they will only affect the exterior of your appliances. However, the danger lies in the presence of dust, especially in the ventilation areas of your belongings. The presence of moisture in dust can create mud-like substance that can corrode your equipment and potentially “block” ventilation, causing your appliances to overheat. Just thoroughly clean your appliances and make sure they’re dry before you use them.

While it is tempting to reuse appliances affected by flood, not all items can be still be saved—and the best thing you can do with those appliances is to dispose of them properly. Remember that attempting to repair the irreparable may result in bigger expenses, injuries, or even loss of lives and property.