In the era of extreme rainfall, flooding is no longer distant news
In recent years, extreme climate has made rainfall patterns in Taiwan increasingly unstable. Short-duration heavy rainfall and extremely heavy rains brought by typhoons have caused flooding in many areas that were not flooded in the past.
During the 2024 typhoon season, severe water accumulation occurred in many areas of New Taipei and Taipei, and many residents’ basements and first-floor homes were flooded. After the water recedes and the house is full of mud, the most vexing question is: Can these water-soaked appliances still work?
Many people are reluctant to throw them away, thinking that they can still be used after drying. But in fact, if household appliances soaked in water are not handled properly, they may not only be damaged, but also risk electric shock and fire. This article will explain in detail the safety inspection steps for home appliances after flooding, as well as which appliances are worth saving and which ones should be abandoned decisively.
The first thing to do after flooding: cut off the power
Before discussing the treatment of household appliances, we must first emphasize the most important safety principle: During flooding and the first time after the water recedes, never touch any electrical equipment.
Why do we need to cut off the power first?
Water is a conductor. When electrical equipment is soaked in water, even if the power is turned off, if other areas are still powered, current may be conducted through the water, causing the risk of electric shock.
The correct approach is to first turn off the main power supply after confirming safety. If the distribution box is also soaked in water, do not operate it yourself. Please contact Taipower or a professional electrician to handle it.
Precautions after a power outage
Even if the power has been cut off, you must still wear rubber shoes and insulating gloves when entering a flooded area. Do not go barefoot or wear slippers, and avoid contact with potentially live metal objects.
In addition, the humid environment after flooding can easily breed bacteria. You should also take personal protection when cleaning, and wear masks and gloves to avoid infection.
Principles for handling water-soaked home appliances
After the water recedes, many people will be in a dilemma when facing water-soaked home appliances: it would be a pity to throw them away, but they would be afraid of danger if they keep them. Several judgment principles are provided below:
Principle 1: The height of water immersion determines fate
The water immersion height of household appliances is the key basis for judgment. Generally speaking:
- Slight splashing of water on the bottom: If there is only water accumulation on the floor and there is a little water on the bottom of the appliance, it is usually not a big problem. After drying, check whether the function is normal.
- Submerged in water for more than 10 centimeters: This height may already submerge key parts such as circuit boards and motors inside the appliance, so careful inspection is required.
- Soaked in water for more than 30 cm: It is almost certain to be scrapped, especially for large household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air-conditioning outdoor units.
Principle 2: The type of electrical appliance determines the risk
Different types of electrical appliances have different levels of risk after being soaked in water:
High-risk electrical appliances (recommended to be eliminated):
- Refrigerators and freezers: The insulation layer may become moldy after being soaked in water, and the refrigerant system may also have water ingress, making maintenance costs extremely high.
- Washing machine: The motor and circuit board are prone to malfunction after being soaked in water, and the moisture inside can easily breed bacteria.
- Microwave ovens and ovens: The internal electronic components are delicate and almost impossible to repair after being soaked in water.
- Air-conditioning indoor and outdoor units: circuit boards and compressors are highly likely to be damaged after being soaked in water.
Medium-risk electrical appliances (can be rescued):
- TVs, computers: If soaked in water for a short time, they may return to normal after being completely dried, but it is recommended to ask a professional to check.
- Electric fan and dehumidifier: The structure is relatively simple. After drying, check whether the motor is normal.
Low-risk appliances (usually repairable):
- Electric cookers, kettles: If the stainless steel body is soaked in water, it is usually fine after drying, but check the power cord and socket.
- Hair dryer: It has a simple structure and can be used normally after being thoroughly dried.
Principle 3: The length of soaking time in water
The longer the soaking time, the more serious the damage. If it's only been splashed briefly, it may be fine once it dries, but if it's been soaked in water for more than 24 hours, it's almost certain to have been damaged internally.
In addition, the quality of flooded water is also important. If it is clean rainwater, the damage will be relatively small; if it is flood mixed with sediment and sewage, it will not only cause a short circuit in the circuit, but may also corrode metal parts.
Safety inspection steps for water-soaked appliances
If you decide to try to rescue a water-soaked appliance, be sure to follow these steps:
Step 1: Dry thoroughly
This is a critical step. Move the appliance to a well-ventilated, dry area and open the casing to allow air to circulate inside. You can use an electric fan to blow, but do not use a hair dryer to bake at high temperatures to avoid deformation of plastic parts.
It is recommended to dry for at least 3-5 days to ensure the inside is completely dry. If the environment is humid, you can use a dehumidifier to speed up drying.
Step 2: Appearance inspection
After drying, carefully check the appearance of the appliance:
- Is the power cord damaged or melted?
- Is the plug deformed or black?
- Is the shell cracked or deformed?
- Is there any sediment or odor inside?
If any of the above problems are found, it is recommended to eliminate it directly and do not risk using it.
Step 3: Professional inspection
For medium and high-value home appliances, it is recommended to ask a professional repairman to inspect them. The master will use a three-purpose ammeter to measure the insulation resistance to confirm that there is no risk of leakage.
The inspection fee usually costs several hundred yuan, which is definitely worth spending compared to buying a faulty home appliance or even causing a fire.
Step 4: Test run
After confirming that it is safe, you can try to power on and test run. But be careful:
- When the power is turned on for the first time, a person should stand next to it and be ready to unplug it at any time.
- Observe whether there is any peculiar smell, smoke, or abnormal noise.
- Confirm whether the function is normal and whether there is any leakage feeling.
If there is any abnormality, cut off the power immediately and do not try again.
Inspection of sockets and distribution boxes
In addition to the home appliances themselves, the sockets and distribution boxes after being soaked in water must also be carefully inspected.
Socket Inspection
For sockets that have been flooded, first open the outer panel and check whether there is sediment accumulation inside. After cleaning, blow dry with an electric fan or hair dryer and be sure to keep it dry.
If the metal piece of the socket is rusted or deformed, it is recommended to replace it directly. Please find a qualified electrician when replacing it, do not DIY it yourself.
Inspection of distribution box
The distribution box is the center of electricity consumption in the home. If it is soaked in water, it must be fully inspected by a professional electrician. Inspection items include:
- Is the fuseless switch operating normally?
- Is the leakage circuit breaker effective?
- Are the wire contacts loose or oxidized?
- Is the inside of the distribution box dry?
Don’t be careless when inspecting the distribution box, because once there is a problem, it will affect the electrical safety of the whole house.
Which household appliances must not be kept?
Although we all hope to save money, some water-soaked appliances really cannot be kept, otherwise the gains outweigh the losses:
Refrigerators and freezers
Once water enters the insulation layer of the refrigerator, it is almost impossible to completely dry, and it is easy to mold and breed bacteria. Moreover, if water enters the refrigerant system, the compressor will be damaged quickly. The maintenance cost is usually close to buying a new machine, so it is recommended to eliminate it directly.
Washing machine
The internal structure of the washing machine is complex, and the motor, circuit board, and drainage pump may be soaked in water. Even if the surface is dry, internal parts may be oxidized and corroded. Moreover, the washing machine itself needs to be exposed to water. If the insulation is poor, the risk of electric shock is high.
Gas water heater
Gas water heaters involve gas and electricity. If the control circuit fails after soaking in water, it may cause gas leakage or carbon monoxide poisoning. This kind of safety-related equipment is recommended to be replaced directly after being soaked in water.
Electric water heater
After the electric water heater is soaked in water, the heating pipe and temperature controller may be damaged. If the insulation is poor, the risk of electric shock while bathing is extremely high. For your own safety, don't save money.
Environmental considerations for disposal of flooded household appliances
After eliminating household appliances soaked in water, do not throw them away at will. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's regulations, large household appliances must be recycled through correct channels.
Apply for removal
You can contact the local Environmental Protection Bureau to apply for free removal, or call the recycling hotline 0800-085-717. Some counties and cities also provide home delivery services.
Second-hand recycling
If the appliance is only slightly soaked in water and functions normally, you can consider donating it to a social welfare organization or a second-hand recycler. But be sure to tell the water-soaked situation honestly to avoid safety issues after resale.
Trade-in
When purchasing new home appliances, many stores provide trade-in services. The old appliance can be used to offset part of the price while ensuring that the old appliance is disposed of correctly.
Prevention is worse than cure: preparation before flooding
If you live in a low-lying area or on the first floor, instead of rescuing afterward, it is better to prevent beforehand:
Raise the location of electrical appliances
Place important appliances in a higher position, or install elevated shelves. Stainless steel elevated shelves can be installed at the bottom of refrigerators and washing machines, at least 15-20 cm above the ground.
Install a waterproof gate
If there is frequent flooding, you can consider installing a waterproof gate at the door. Although there is a cost, it is still cost-effective compared to the loss of household appliances soaked in water.
Purchase home appliance insurance
Some property and casualty insurance companies provide home appliance flooding insurance. The premium is not high, but you can obtain claims after a disaster and reduce the financial burden.
Prepare emergency power outage plan
Confirm the position of the main power switch in advance, and every adult in the family must be able to operate it. Before a typhoon strikes, you can turn off unnecessary electrical appliances in advance.
Conclusion: Safety is always the first priority
Faced with water-logged home appliances, many people will fall into the complex of "it is a pity to lose them". But please remember that the safety of electrical appliances is related to the life and property of the whole family, so you cannot take chances.
If you are not sure whether a home appliance is safe, the safest way is to eliminate it. After all, a new appliance costs tens of thousands of dollars, but the cost of a fire or electric shock accident may be unbearable.
Extreme climate has become the norm, and we must learn to coexist with water. Only by taking preventive measures and understanding the correct handling methods can you calmly respond to disasters and minimize losses.
New knowledge on air-conditioning power consumption and Taiwan climate maintenance regulations in recent years (2025-2026 current situation)
With the high temperatures in summer breaking historical records and the adjustment of electricity price structure in recent years, the latest statistics from the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that air-conditioning equipment accounts for more than 47% of residential electricity consumption in summer. Many people mistakenly believe that if the air conditioner is not cold, they only need to "replenish the refrigerant." However, in fact, refrigerant is not naturally consumed during normal operation in a closed circuit. If the refrigerant is insufficient, it means that there are micro leaks in the copper pipes or joints. Simply replenishing the air conditioner will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Refrigerant leakage will aggravate the high temperature overload of the compressor and shorten its service life.
According to Taiwan's standard operating specifications for air-conditioning projects, it is recommended that professional technicians with a refrigeration and air-conditioning decoration technician license perform "full machine high-pressure water washing and evaporator deep sterilization" every 1 to 2 years for detached air-conditioning indoor units. Especially in the humid summer in the Shuangbei Basin, the air drum and water collection tray are easy to breed black mold and jelly-like biofilm. This is also the main reason for the sour smell in the air-conditioning outlet and the backflow of the drainage pipe. Regular maintenance can maintain CSPF (Air Conditioning Seasonal Performance Factor) level one energy efficiency level, which can save an average household 15% to 20% of air conditioning electricity bills every year.
Autonomous simple maintenance vs professional maintenance safety red line
- Homeowners can do by themselves: Remove and clean the nylon filter regularly every 2 to 3 weeks (rinse with clean water and dry in a cool place, do not expose it to the sun to avoid deformation and embrittlement); clean the air outlet blades of the indoor unit with a dry cloth; check whether there is any accumulation of debris within 50 cm around the outdoor unit that hinders heat dissipation.
- Professional technicians must be entrusted according to regulations: Refrigerant pressure testing and leakage repair welding, high-pressure cleaning of indoor unit air drums and aluminum fins with liquid chemicals, reset of the drainage slope of hidden cold water pipes in the ceiling, and 220V dedicated power circuit configuration and leakage circuit breaker replacement.
