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NYC Rapid Repair Replacement Furnace - please relate experiences

11:42 PM 12/10/2012

 

athena

Manhattan Beach, NY

I did not know that Rapid Repair was replacing furnaces flooded by Hurricane Sandy for free. I spent $1500 replacing the parts on my top of the line steam gas furnace which was under water for 12 hours and it seems to work fine now but I am worried about corrosion on the inside eventually making it inoperable or worse - unsafe. I am wondering if anyone has had a new furnace installed by Rapid Repair or knows of someone who has and what quality furnace they are installing. While the program is laudable I don't want them pulling out a furnace I paid several thousand dollars for and now even more to get it working only to replace it with a piece of junk.

 

 

Plumbers and Plumbing
7 answers
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  • vote

    masterplvmber

    New York, NY

    You should never have fixed the steam boiler after it was submerged.
    What brand is it?

    7:22 AM 12/11/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    hooky

    Red Hook, NY

    I have paid for a new combi system, but my neighbor did the free Rapid Repair- I think she's happy with it, but it is a standard boiler. Will your insurance cover the replacement cost of your expensive unit? It really should.

    9:34 AM 12/11/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    athena

    Manhattan Beach, NY

    It's a Pennco. Changed all the electronic parts - automatic water feeder, transformer, Gas valve, and the thermocouple . Only we did not change the low water feeder and the damper. I have no insurance and the house was totaled so I'm looking at a huge restoration bill and need to save money where I can.

    10:12 AM 12/11/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

    Comments (1)

    • masterplvmber

      New York, NY

      The low water (cut off, I'm assuming) device is vitally important in a steam boiler and prevents the flame from coming on if the boiler runs low on water, which happens naturally every couple of weeks or so. The damper prevents the boiler from firing until it opens all the way and allows carbon monoxide and flue gases to escape. It is safe to not incorporate the damper from the system as long as it is physically removed and replaced with flue pipe as it is an efficiency device and not necessarily a safety control. Keeping it in place but not working can allow it to close and still have the boiler fire without a safe conduit to the chimney. Good luck with your home. Let me know if you need any advice. My family has 8 flooded houses in Staten Island and I know what you're going through.

      10:41 AM 12/11/2012

          

  • vote

    masterplvmber

    New York, NY

    There's nothing cheaper than Pennco boilers anyway, so whatever Rapid Repair gives you will be at least as good.
     

    10:34 AM 12/11/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    athena

    Manhattan Beach, NY

    Well, my brother bought the Pennco new last year and he said it cost him an arm and leg with installation. It's 150,0000 BTU. We were satisfied with it but I certainly don't want an unsafe situation in the house where my elderly mother lives. Have been getting lot's of different opinions on that score from different plumbers. Thanks

    10:39 AM 12/11/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    masterplvmber

    New York, NY

    If you go to Penncoboilers.com they have a link on their homepage leading to this:
    http://www.ahrinet.org/hurrica...sandy+aftermath_+ahri+provides+tips+for+flood+damaged+heating_+cooling+equipment.aspx

    3:13 PM 12/11/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

    Comments (1)

  • vote

    rh

    Bedford Stuyvesant, NY

    I don't have any first hand experience with Rapid Repairs because I just went ahead and paid through the nose for a new boiler and water heater.
    But a couple of observations...The company my husband works for is sending guys out to help with RR in Brooklyn. They are a heavy construction firm and although they use licensed plumbers and electricians, they don't necessarily know about residential.
    The RR guys who came to look at my house in Rockaway didn't seem too sure about code. Perhaps they were brought in from another state, but it didn't give me much confindence.
    That being said, if it were me, I'd still feel safer just replacing the whole dang thing.

    5:55 PM 12/11/2012 | 0 Votes

     

     

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