Shed Flooded Please Help Me
 

Ok guys my shed got 14 inches of water in it due to the flooding and all my power tools is in there chain saws, lawn mower, chop saw, skill saw, drill, battery charger, air compressor, and several other power tools. Everything got water in it are was completly submerged under water what can I do to salvage my tools. I will post pictures later guys. Any advice would help. Thanks Guys

PM Fishinpox....I bet he knows if they are salvageable.

First and foremost........ DO NOT PLUG THEM IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Put them in an area where you can get good ventilation to them, w/o exposing them to more rain. If you wait for them to "COMPLETELy" dry out, they will most likely be fine. Do not plug them in or attempt to turn them on for at least a week.

If it has a computer board it is probably fried, but if it is just open & closed circuits, You should be ok.

Don't try to start the gas powered stuff either, can't compress water. Drain all fluids and replace them, crank case oil, gas tank, carb bowl etc.... Pull the spark plug out of the engine and spin engine over to blow any water out. That is all we would do when we would submerge a fourwheeler on a ride. It may take a few oil changes to flush all the water out. Just keep changing it until it is no longer milky. Best of luck

WD-40 everything as much as u can.

ins. claim

X2!

X2 except if it has a circuit board in it let it dry completely before turning it on !!


Good luck! If you need some help P/M me!!!

Had everything go under in Katrina (way under). Spray all of your power tools with WD-40 or penetrating oil as soon as possible and allow to dry for at least a week before plugging them in. You should be able to save everything besides the battery charger (circuit boards are toast). For the gas powered stuff do exactly what jdm4x4 explained. I let everything dry out (watch out for rust and corrosion) and replaced the fluids. I ran them for 5 minutes and changed the oil again (looked like chocolate milk due to moisture). Spray all bearings really well, they seem to be the weak link. Quality tools make a difference. Only lost a cheap drill and a cheap chainsaw. Everything is still running years later. Had electrical problems with a riding lawn mower because the battery was attached when it went under. Had to replace all the positive wires and fuses, but it is fine now.

I would drain all the fluids out of the gas powered tools n set em up to drain all excess water, do the same with power tools. My guys leave my tools out in the rain, drop in puddles, ect.... Aside from some surface rust they still work. You might try to spray a thin coat of corrosion X on the tools when almost dry.

this is what I was thinking, if it was in shed it zhould be covered under home owners ins. especially if you have flood.

No disrespect but as long as a circuit board Is dry it WILL BE OK!!

I have pressure washed a television and let it dry I'm watching it now???

Yep, this is correct. I still use an amp, 6x9 speakers and a 10" sub that sat in saltwater for a day when it flooded for Rita, got them in a ice chest radio now.
Open everything that has a circuit board and let it dry good. As long as it wasn't plugged in when it got wet, it should work fine.

The gas motors drain oil and gas and get em running ASAP! They should be fine.....if they want to run rough put a small amount of sea foam in the tank and let it run.

Elevation certificate is based on highest floor above base elevation. Sheds are not part of the elevation cert and will not be covered on any flood policy. Sorry if I bring bad news but this is what the rules are for flood insurance. Also not covered under HO since it was rising water. Good advise from everyone on the equipment though.

luckly I dont live in a flood zone nor do I have a flooding problem but thanks for clearing that up for anyone that would assume they were covered by this

So da stuff was not in the shed u say. If u have flood ins. Then it's better to keep your stuff in da yard an don't worry if it get stollen home cover dat.

Sound like wl&f ins.

I need dat an Mac ins. Too for my noodle
Da Gunna weezel out how da can an prob charge u more in da long

Good luck bro da rain was just da start

I have left electrical tools out in the rain that work fine, but like veryone says do not plug them in.

Some people say this is the wrong thing to do but everyone has an opinion. If the oil is still very milky after oil change, flush the crank case with diesel. Put it to full mark and turn the engine over by hand then drain it. Don't run it like that though!!! I've seen it take 3-4 oil changes for the oil to clean up and not be milky.

Alcohol works too but don't run it an let it dry then put oil

Photos Of shed
 

Thanks for all the advice guys. Here are some photos of the yard and shed.

If that is the deepest it got on the lawn mower you may be ok with everything except the starter.

Them was taken about 12:30 today and it has came up another 7 inches mower went completly under cant see the engine at all

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...61229403_n.jpg

Now if thats not coon azz I dont know what is......

Contact cleaner will help on electrical equipment / circuit boards

Hey Rat, the national flood insurance program is INSOLVENT (BANKRUPT). It is in worse shape than social security and has to be made solvent each year by congress to continue paying claims. Most of those flooded out are eligible for preferred rates which are very cheap but do not take advantage of the coverage because they think it can never happen to them. After this flood, everyone will call their agent for flood insurance but few will spend the money in the end or continue to pay the premium after a year or two. IMO, flood is worse than any natural disaster out there.

In a nut shell, Basic Home owners Ins works like this. If water damage comes from above, you're covered. If it rises from the ground, you're not. My insurance agent put it to me like this " if somewhere down the road they are doing construction or anything that blocks a drainage ditch, when it rains it causes the area to flood, you are screwed". If you do not live in a considered flood zone, a flood policy is not that expensive considering the cost of replacing personal items. Raymond being an agent and all can better clarify if this is true.

My heart goes out to you and so many other families that were affected by this torrential rain. I hope you recover quickly and things get back to normal as soon as possible buddy.

Circuit boards
 

As mentioned open anything with circuit boards and allow to dry. If possible place the circuit boards on top of some kitty liter, its helps suck some of the moisture out.

Anything with circuit boards try and open them up as much as you can and let them dry out completely. I wouldnt use anything before a weeks time at least. Once dry your only remaining concern would be corrosion. A little contact cleaner and some electrical lubricant can go a long way.

Thanks for everything guys on the bright side of things was out in the boat early this morning and see a few bass swimming in the water thinking about going wade fish for them got to make the best of every situation

If I need anything i sure will ask guys and thanks for everything again going to go fishing know in the yard being I got bass swimming 5 ft from my porch.

Would have a claim against anyone or company that blocked a drain causing flood damage to property. Zone X is a preferred risk zone and premiums start at $100 per year for property/contents.

Have used this with luck, in bad situations.

That should do the trick.