Storm Damaged Home Gyms - Can You Use the Equipment?

1/27/2017 (Permalink)

home gym gets flooded

When Hurricane Irene hit Long Island, this home gym suffered when water poured through a hole in the roof, filling this lower level fitness room.  

SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington removed wallboard and carpet, drying out the space.  But when this happens to you, what is safe to reuse and what is not? 

If equipment has no electrical components and is not porous or rusted, it very likely is salvageable - like rubber coated dumbells, kettleballs, bands and machinery that operate by cables and weights.  If equipment has electrical components that have touched or been exposed to water or excessive moisture, it may still operate.  However, that does not mean it is safe to use as degraded electrical components can cause a fire or shock later on down the road.  They need to be inspected by a licensed electrician or replaced.  

Make sure when discarding anything that is electrically damaged that you cut off the cord short to the unit so that it doesn't get repurposed by someone on garbage pickup day.