Emergency Response Guide: What to Do If Your Air Compressor Is Flooded

jiaqi.wu@chanuncompressor.com

language

NEWS

knowledge

Company News

Corporate News

Emergency Response Guide: What to Do If Your Air Compressor Is Flooded

Release time:

2025-08-07

Immediate Actions

If your air compressor has been exposed to rain or flooding, the number one rule is: cut the power and do NOT turn it on. This is the foundation for all subsequent steps.

After the floodwater recedes, do not attempt to restart the equipment. Immediately disconnect all power supplies to prevent electric shock and further damage to the machine.

Initial Cleaning and Drying

Drain the Water and Remove Mud
Open the machine panels and all drainage valves to allow water to naturally flow out. For water trapped in difficult areas, use a professional water extractor.
Clear Internal Debris
Clean out any mud and debris from the inside of the machine—especially around the air intake and heat exchanger, where blockages are common.
Thorough Drying
Use high-power industrial fans (e.g., horn-type fans) to continuously blow air through the machine.
For critical components like the electrical control box, use a low-heat hot air gun at a distance of 10–15 cm to gently dry the surface.
Ensure that all electrical components are fully dry, and no visible moisture remains inside the unit.

Repairing Core Components

When Water Exposure is Minor

Pour diesel or kerosene into the airend to rotate the rotor and flush out water.
Follow up with lubricating oil to rinse any remaining fluid.

When Water Ingress Is Severe

Disassemble the airend and intake valve, clean all internal parts including rotors, bearings, and oil seals, and remove any silt or contaminants.
Carefully reassemble all precision components, ensuring proper alignment to prevent noise or damage during operation.

Electrical System Restoration

As the “nervous system” of the compressor, electrical components must be handled with care:

Inverter & Control Boards:
Open the casing, blot moisture with a dry towel, clean circuits with alcohol, and use a blower to circulate air for at least 1 hour. Repeat alcohol cleaning and finalize with thorough hot air drying.
Contactors & Switches:
For contactors over 65A, disassemble and clean contacts with alcohol. For smaller units, replacement is recommended.
Motors:
Open the motor end caps, remove moisture and sludge. Use a blower for initial drying, then oven-dry in phases:
- Pre-drying at 50–70°C for 8–14 hours
- Final drying at 80–100°C for 1 hour

Post-Repair Precautions: Upgrades and Testing

Once all repairs are complete, move into the renewal and upgrade phase:

Mandatory Replacements:
Replace the three key filters (air filter, oil filter, and oil separator) and refill with fresh lubricant.
Comprehensive Checks:
Tighten oil tank screws, inspect and replace the oil-gas separator, and examine all key valves such as check valves and minimum pressure valves.
System Assembly & Testing:
The machine should be reassembled by a qualified technician to ensure all connections are leak-proof.

Follow the "gradual startup" principle:
- Power on without oil, and check if the control panel displays normally.
- Use jog mode: power on for 2–3 seconds, then off. Repeat 3–5 times.
- Run unloaded for at least 30 minutes while monitoring oil pressure, temperature, and noise.
- Gradually apply load while continuing to monitor all performance parameters.

Prevention is Better Than Repair

To avoid flood damage in the future, establish a long-term protection system:

Protective Structures:
Install rain shelters for outdoor equipment with proper roof drainage slope.
Sealing Measures:
Regularly inspect sealing strips and reinforce door/window joints and interfaces with sealant.
Emergency Preparedness:
Keep waterproof tarps, drainage pumps, and emergency kits on hand. Create a contingency plan for heavy rain events.