Floods
Download and print this handy infosheet
- Protecting natural gas equipment from a flood (PDF 707 KB)
What to do before a flood
If you have enough advance warning prior to a flood, protect your appliances by:
- Having a licensed heating contractor remove the electric motor, burner and controls from furnace, and shut off the gas and electric supply.
- Having a licensed heating contractor remove hot water tanks, clothes dryers and ranges from your building.
- Have the contractor cap and properly thread seal the gas pipe leading to the appliance shut off valve. This is to prevent the back flow of flood water into the gas piping system. If you have natural gas clothes dryers, ranges and other appliances removed, ensure the gas supply valve is shut off to the appliance first.
If you don't have enough time or a licensed heating contractor is not available:
- Turn off electrical power to each appliance and leave it off
- Shut off the gas supply valve to the appliance
- Do not drain hot water tanks. Just shut off the water supply leading to and from the tank.
If you are evacuating your premises
Shut off your gas valve at the meter. You can turn your gas off at the main shut-off valve on the inlet pipe next to your gas meter. Using a wrench or other suitable tool, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction so that it is crosswise to the pipe.
What to do after a floodFloodwater may have shifted your home or caused other stresses to the gas piping.
You must call Terasen Gas to book an inspection of your meter and regulator before using your natural gas system, if you find one of the following when you return home:
Call 1-877-711-8877.
After Terasen Gas completes its inspection of your meter and regulator, call a licensed heating contractor to inspect and re-connect your natural gas appliances. |
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CAUTION: If you smell gas, or if there is evidence of a gas leak, don't enter the building. Turn your gas off at the main shut-off valve on the inlet pipe next to your gas meter. Using a wrench or other suitable tool, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction so that it is crosswise to the pipe. Call our 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-663-9911, your local fire department or 911.
Diagram illustrating how to safely shut off your meter 
All electrical wiring in buildings that has been partially or fully covered by flood water must be checked by a qualified electrician or electrical inspector before being put into service again. Any loose wires should be considered "live" and a definite hazard.
All electrical wiring in buildings that has been partially or fully covered by flood water must be checked by a qualified electrician or electrical inspector before being put into service again. Any loose wires should be considered "live" and a definite hazard.
Always call a licensed heating contractor
Don't try to put natural gas appliances back in service yourself. Gas appliances that have been flooded should not be used until inspected by a licensed heating contractor.
A licensed heating contractor will check, clean, repair and pressure test all gas pipes that have been clogged with mud or debris. Switches, controls, thermostats, furnace heat exchangers, burner and pilot parts and rusting metal parts can also be damaged.
Please note, the cost of restoring some appliances to a safe operating condition can exceed the cost of a new appliance.
For more information
For more information on flood safety, call us at 1-888-224-2710 or visit these organization's websites:
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