What is gas furnace gas valve may have gotten wet!!? HELP

[lynnwood42]

HELP! Yesterday somehow my washing machine overflowed all over my upstairs floor and tons of the water leaked into my basement. Most of the water went all over the basement floor, but I am assuming 'some' of the water leaked onto my gas furnace. This leak somehow caused my furnace to stop working!! We had someone come out to check it and all of a sudden the heat started working again. All they had to do was turn it on, but it would not work earlier. The HVAC man said the furnace looked dry inside, but he said the water could have evaporated by that time. He told us we need to have the gas valve changed and the computer board in case they got wet and it would cost us $1400!! He told us 'IF' the gas valve got wet (and we don't know for sure) that there is a chance it could possibly explode at some point. Is this true? We don't even know if it got wet. My question is, do we have to have both of these items fixed ASAP or can we leave them since the heat is working fine now? Obviously we don't want to explode. I really want to know if we REALLY should change the gas valve to be safe to prevent any future explosions. HELP!! I know nothing about HVAC and am hoping someone can give me another opinion!! We want to be safe!

[key]

This is a hard question to answer:

If the board got seriously wet it would have blown...as for the gas valve causing an explosion...I highly doubt it, there are safetys built into your furnace.

I am suspecting moisture accumulation were a wire connects in the furnace somewhere..

My advice to you, is to call another tech and have them clean all wire connections and test ALL safety devices.........

Also have them check your thermostat wire...it could of gotten wet somewhere up in your ceiling.

[captube]

I'll agree its tough to answer if you personally were not inspecting the furnace.
Generally speaking damage to gas valves from water they are referring to submerged valves. Your tech. may be leaning to err on the safe side and that is a good thing. It maybe one of those cases where a second opinion may be beneficial.
This info. is very general and its always advisable to replace any part that is suspect of damage.

[hvacdoctor]

Any gas appliance subjected to water should be changed( or at least the gas valve, ignition and boards...Water could cause an unsafe condition... Check the GAMA :D web site about flood damaged appliances. I would contact your insurance company as well.

[danf58]

Hm..

Are you perchance a woman? (not intended as an insult, but as a suggestion to consider) I'm not a furnace pro, I'm a homeowner, but really now. It sure sounds like you're being led down a path by someone taking avantage of a situation, and perhaps your sensibilities. I understand safety and all but:

No visible water inside?

Started right up?

It might explode?? What in the heck is a failed component gonna do to explode your house.. You think they make these things that poorly? Again, I don't know #$%^ but I've a pretty strong feeling the industry knows how to make a furnace that won't explode when a part fails. For any reason.

I too think a low voltage circuit got wet (probably the t-stat).

BTW, how sure are you it wouldn't start? Sounds like you had a lot of stress going on for a few minutes..

Moving on, what does your insurance company say?
Maybe call the furnace mfg?


Finally, you need an opinion of someone else, and you need to find a way to take them off the hook. Here's why: What do they have to gain from telling you it's OK to not change anything? Nothing. What do they have to loose? What if the 1 in a million things goes wrong? Their fault.

But if you asked them, as an example, what they would do in that situation in their home, rather then what YOU should do... Docs do the same thing.

[danf58]

Lets talk house exploding again for a moment. What would it take for that to happen:

An uncommanded opening of the gas valve, w/no associated ignition call. And I suspect that's the only way. I've no idea HOW that failure mode is protected from, but:

1) A failure mode that turns on a mechanical valve and commands it to open. Seems unlikely. Whens the last time a car broke down and started itself as a result?

2) If it was possible, even remotely, the mfg would have to have a safety check for the condition. Call and ask, as a safety question, what keeps the above from happening. HOld the water part back till later.

[hvacdoctor]

Dear homeowner, with no disrespect but you don't have clue what your talking about... Any gas control subject to any water meaning wiring, valves, sensors etc. could fail and if their is just a .001% of chance that is enough for me. The common sense is for a few bucks is your life worth the risk? Not to me or anyone else who values their life. Don't believe me then check out what GAMA says... Just my 2 cents.:eek:

[hvacdoctor]

check this out.

http://www.gamanet.org/gama/news.nsf/vAttachmentLaunch/672A6B3F7399281185256ED200531607/$FILE/Flood-Damaged%20Appliances%20Should%20Be%20Replaced.pdf

[danf58]

Lets be clear: I whole heartily agree I've no qualifications. It makes no sense, and it sounds like a scam, but I certainly defer to the pros.

$1,400 is a few bucks to you et? I need to change jobs.:rolleyes:

But hey, I'll read and learn..

[captube]

The key word is submerged in water.
If it were mine i would have a 2nd. opinion, splashing water could of damaged the control board. The valve would less likely be to damaged by incidental contact with water. I think it is a safety issue and does warrant a follow up.

[danf58]

Dr:

Oh dear, yep, I read it. It's pretty clear. Those FLOODED devices that have been UNDER WATER should be replaced. As in SUBMERGED. Like in a LAKE. Sure, I can see that. I mean who knows what corrosion is where in the ducting, and how can you tell if the control valve has been infiltrated w/dirt or etc.. Heck it even had dirty water inside the mechansim. To say nothing of future oxidization, or maybe even residual puddles of water inside. I'd replace the whole thing too!

Heavens, it's pretty sad they had to issue a press release for that..

But this lady has some clean cloths water run down the outside of her furnace, had no discernable water at all inside, and it's already been refired!

It sure seems a hell of a stretch and perhaps bordering on paranoia to attach a linkage between the two. Personally, and its the opinion of a private homeowner only, I'd react to someone handing me your document and telling me it applied to me w/ a healthy dose of "what, I just fell off a turnip truck?". I might even consider it more than a tad deceitfull.

Which is a shame, as I suspect most pro's would be advising to change it out of sheer caution. As mentioned on the last post. But using that document as justification kinda takes it to another, sadder, level.

Ah well, I shall desist as we agree I'm not qualified and my skepticism is surely noted.

My respects and best wishes to all:

dan

[lynnwood42]

Hey all and thanks for your input so far. Yes I am a woman and have no experience with HVAC. My husband was envolved too and he is not sure what we should do either. I told him I would try to research it while he was at work today. Anyways, what the HVAC repair man said is if even a little bit of water got into the gas valve and onto the rubber gasket that is inside, that when the gasket dries it could crack and warp and allow gas to leak around it potentially causing an explosion. Was he just trying to get money out of us? Wouldn't the furnace just stop working again or was he right about the possibility of an explosion in the future? If there was a future problem, wouldn't I smell gas first?

[danf58]

Lynn:

Hopefully you understood the "woman" comment, yes? I know my wifes gets treated a whole lot different then I do around these things. Most service guys figure out I'm at least sorta mechanically capable and conversations get more grounded in a big hurry. I think some of it is unavoidable, sometimes it's the difference in the way questions get asked, and sometimes....

Anyway..

Water attacks rubber gaskets? In what world.. and in only a few seconds? You'd best stop drinking that stuff.

I don't think I'd be changing it until I heard a realistic argument for "why".

Oh well. Look, I've run off at the mouth enough. I wish you well, and I want to be clear: I'm sure dr and others really have your best interests at heart. We've just different perspectives.

And call you insurance company. While I still don't think I'd change it, that might at least influence me a little.

w/respects to all,

dan

[jodimart]

Ah well, I shall desist as we agree I'm not qualified and my skepticism is surely noted.


You are correct, you are not qualified. I have been in this industry for almosr 18 years. I would have made the same reccomendations.

You said it sound like a scam, did you look at the heater? I don't think so!

Can a gas valve cause an explosion? YES!! That is called a gas leak. Can gas leak from a valve that got wet? Yes. I've seen valves leak that have never even seen water. It happens.

The tech was trying to give sound advice to avoid liability should something happen.

Now that you have said what you did, should something happen, are you going to pay fot it? If someone gets injured, are going to pay the bills?

I will not say that a second look is not a good idea, but make sure it is a qualified company.

IMHO

[4l530]

http://www.free-smiley.info/jumping/jumping-smileys-emoticons44.gif


There's no telling what can happen when water and electronics mix.

If there was water running down the control board, there is the possibility that the furnace could function normally for any span of time and fail later.
If the control board got wet, I would recommend to replace it also.

As to the gas valve, it is my opinion that to be truly dangerous i.e. explosion, water needed to get inside the gas valve body, where the valve itself is, and sit for any period of time. However...it is also my opinion that the gas valve could stick as a result of contact with water (control malfunction). Having the gas valve to stick in the open position would be especially undesirable...if it got wet, I would recommend to replace it also.

Of course, I haven't looked at your furnace. I'm just going by what you tell me. Sounds like your tech was on it...

Go ahead and get you a second opinion from a qualified company if you feel it is warranted, but in your position...if there was water on either of those two parts...I would open an insurance claim and have them replaced.

[jodimart]

Your more dilomatic than I was.

[EarthLoop]

if the valves and controls got wet they have to be changed..... call 5 companies and they will all tell you the samething.... (unless danf ownes the company:eek:)

this is no joke... i hope the tech was smart enough to get your signature with his recommendation. gas valves and controls are very sensitive to moisture... don't take advise from a know it all, talk to the pros:D

[air j]

How high was the water level from the flood? Is this an upflow furnace (how high is the gas valve + control board from the ground? Possibly water may have splashed on control board or filled in the blower housing. If it is an upflow and gas valve in top half of furnace and the flood level was low I doubt the gas valve would have a problem. A horizontal furnace close to ground or high flood may be a different story. If you are really concerned get a second opinion its hard to say without seeing.

[hvacdoctor]

Sorry if shocked some, but without knowing the circumstances involved and the extent of water damage I thought the information would be helpful... Yes it does state flooded and underwater...But were talking about a "gas" controls. This falls under that shade of GREY area and good old common sense. Safety is my hot button and :eek: will never compromise it!

[Moose]

Safety first! NO exceptions.

[Wirenut]

You should get another technician to look at the furnace ASAP! Without actually looking at the unit everyone here is just guessing.The reason I would get another technician is because it is quite likely that your furnace is ok, but who knows maybe the first one was giving you the facts as he saw them and has your best interest in mind. Any controll or circuit board that has water damage should be replace. A few drops of water on the outside of a gas valve shouldn't do any damage, the same amount of water on the circuit board might be another matter.

[mark beiser]

I wouldn't replace a valve or control board just because a little water splashed on them, then evaporated.

If the gas valve and control board had a lot of water hitting them, or got submerged, then they MUST be replaced for safeties sake.

Nobody here can tell you what should be done without looking at it, but unless a lot of water was pouring directly on the furnace, I really doubt that the gas valve and control board got wet enough to warrant replacing them if they are working now.

If gas valves and control boards really needed to be replaced any time they got a little water on them, manufacturers would build in at least some minimal protection for when AC condensate drains overflow....

[iwannahelp]

Sounds like a scare tactic to me to sell you parts. I haven't seen the job, but I am assuming that the gas valve is o.k. because it would take a lot of water to get inside the gas valve since it would have to seep in through your burner orifices, which would take a lot of water. Even if it did get in, I really doubt an explosion would occur. I would leave well enough alone.
His business must be slow and he's looking for a quick easy buck.

[hvaclogic]

I have seen furnaces submerged in water,flooded basement,flooded crawl space and if practical replace board and gas valve. The circut board because a little rust will eventually cause a breakdown and always when you can least afford to have down time. The gas valve because of too many warnings stating that under no circumstances leave a valve in service after submersion because of explosion hazard,if its an old furnace cost of parts compared to new furnace isn't practical.

Other side of the coin is that I have seen plenty of condensate line plugged up with the resulting water going all over the burners and valve and inducer motor with no problems noted later during the heating season. And furnace continues to work ok.

So do you need a new gas valve? Probably not. Is it worth a second opinion? Absolutely! You might have gotten someone trying to scam you the first time but doubt it would happen twice.

Better safe than sorry.

[Vwastheman]

I had a customer who had a water leak from their sink that entered their gas furnace. The ignitor in this Carrier unit had a small indention in the metal pan that held the ignitor. The water was collected in this indention and was not allowing ignition. I removed the water, dryed the area and changed the ignitor and the unit worked fine. No water was in the gas valve.

[stvc]

Having worked in printed circuit board assembly for 5 years I can tell you that after the parts are placed and soldered on the board they go through a washing machine. Yes, high pressure hot water, although it is DI water and not every part is OK with water, relays speakers etc. And they of course dont have power to them.

[NCSteve]

I was on a call the other day and noticed a little while flakey stuff on a gas valve, is this moisture, I didnt smell any gas or anything, it looked like what you would see out of a start capacitor.

[EarthLoop]

Having worked in printed circuit board assembly for 5 years I can tell you that after the parts are placed and soldered on the board they go through a washing machine. Yes, high pressure hot water, although it is DI water and not every part is OK with water, relays speakers etc. And they of course dont have power to them.


thank god HVAC control boards don't have relays on them:rolleyes:

[andserco]

thank god HVAC control boards don't have relays on them:rolleyes:


some do............

[lynnwood42]

Hey all, I really appreciate everyones help so far! Since my first post, we have reported the gas furnace 'water' damage to our homeowners insurance and are waiting to find out if they will pay to have the furnace parts replaced. Obviously we would have to pay our $500 deductible, but after reading all of your posts, it sounds like having the parts changed may be a good idea. I will let you know what the homeowners insurance says. Thanks!! We don't actually know how much water got on the furnace, it could have been a lot from the water leak above or it could have been only a few splashes of water?

[stvc]

Just checking to see if you guys were still awake!! :rolleyes: