06/15/2026
To everyone in Winnipeg and across southern Manitoba dealing with the aftermath of last week's storms, we're thinking of you.
Over 120 mm of rain in a matter of hours. Sewage backing up through floor drains. Basements underwater before you even knew what was happening. That feeling of walking downstairs and hearing water where there shouldn't be any is something no homeowner should have to go through.
If your basement flooded and you have a furnace, water heater, or other equipment down there, please take a moment to read this before you start cleaning up. Your safety comes first.
⚡ Don't go near your equipment if there's still standing water. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If you haven't already, shut off the power at your main breaker panel before stepping into a flooded basement. If you can't safely reach the panel, call a licensed electrician.
🔥 Turn off the gas supply. If you have a gas furnace or gas water heater, close the gas shutoff valve before doing anything else. Floodwater can damage gas controls in ways that aren't visible from the outside.
🚫 Don't try to restart flooded equipment. We know it's tempting, especially with the stress of everything else going on. But a furnace, water heater, or AC unit that's been sitting in water needs to be inspected by a licensed technician before it's turned back on. Corrosion to internal components can create serious safety issues, even if the unit looks fine.
💧 Watch for hidden water damage. Flood water doesn't just sit on the surface. It gets behind walls, under flooring, and into the wiring around your equipment. Mould can start within 24 to 48 hours, so document everything with photos now and get a professional assessment as soon as you can.
📋 Dealing with an insurance claim? Take photos and videos of all damaged equipment before you move or clean anything. Your insurance company will likely need documentation of the damage and a professional assessment of what can be repaired versus what needs to be replaced. When one of our technicians inspects your equipment, we can provide detailed reports on the condition of your furnace, water heater, or other units, which can help support your claim. If you're renting your water heater or HVAC equipment through us, give us a call so we can walk you through your coverage and get a replacement lined up quickly.
We know this is overwhelming. A lot of you are juggling insurance calls, cleanup, and trying to get back to normal all at once. You don't have to figure out the equipment side of things on your own.
If you need help, give us a call. We have 24/7/365 live phone support, and we can get a technician to your home as soon as possible.
💙 Stay safe, Manitoba.