Can a flooded electric water heater be saved?

Have a licensed plumber decide. Many are replaced because the controls and insulation were soaked.

Does insurance cover a flooded water heater?

It depends on the policy and on flood coverage (NFIP or private). Photograph it before removal.

Who restores gas service after a flood?

South Jersey Gas, after the home and appliances are inspected and repaired.

AS-2After the storm

Flooded water heaters and gas appliances

A water heater or gas appliance that sat in floodwater should not be used or relit; South Jersey Gas warns that equipment exposed to water may not operate properly, so have a licensed plumber inspect or replace it, and ask about putting the new one above the flood level.

Time: A pro's inspection before any useWho: Licensed plumberWhen: After water reached the appliance

By the Shore House Pipes editors · sources checked October 31, 2026 · how this manual is written

Gas water heater with a muddy waterline in a flooded ground-level garage. AI-generated picture.

Bring

Photos of the waterline on the appliance
The model and serial plate photographed (for the plumber and the insurer)

The procedure

Don't use it. Don't switch on an electric heater that sat in water, and don't relight any gas appliance that did.
Don't touch gas controls. Gas valves and controls that were under water are for a licensed pro or the gas utility.
Photograph it. Get the waterline, the model plate and the room.
Plumber's step: a licensed plumber inspects and usually replaces flood-soaked water heaters and gas controls, and pulls the permit the town requires.
Utility step: South Jersey Gas asks owners to have the home and appliances inspected and repaired before calling SJG to restore service.
Raise the replacement. FEMA's rebuilding guidance says service equipment such as a water heater can be raised above the flood elevation, with at least 1 foot of freeboard worth considering.

Why replace rather than dry out?

Floodwater, especially salt water, gets into controls, insulation and burner parts. Gas control valves that were under water are generally replaced, not reused. The plumber decides; this manual never suggests drying and relighting.

Where should the new heater go?

Above the flood level, often on a platform or on the living floor of an elevated house. See RF-1.

The numbers behind it

Figure	What it means	Source
At least 1 foot	freeboard to consider when raising service equipment	FEMA

Watch: CenterPoint Energy Electric & Natural Gas Flood Safety

From the CenterPoint Energy YouTube channel. Texas utility (Houston area); the phone number it reads out is not for NJ. Note: The phone number read out is for Texas. In South Jersey call 911 and then South Jersey Gas, from outside. The still picture is stored on this site; nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. The video's advice is the channel's own; where it differs, this page's safety steps come first.

Questions owners ask

Can a flooded electric water heater be saved?: Have a licensed plumber decide. Many are replaced because the controls and insulation were soaked.
Does insurance cover a flooded water heater?: It depends on the policy and on flood coverage (NFIP or private). Photograph it before removal.
Who restores gas service after a flood?: South Jersey Gas, after the home and appliances are inspected and repaired.

Sources for this procedure

Each source was opened and the cited figure or sentence checked on October 31, 2026. Steps marked PRO are described, not taught: they belong to a licensed plumber or the utility.