Springtime floods in our service area.

Our hearts go out to everyone who were affected by the April 2026 floods in Wisconsin. We are hoping the water level goes down quickly so that everyone can start the process of restoring and making homes safe and habitable again.

In April 2026, a line of events has caused immense amount of rainfall in a short period of time. This has caused significant damage to a lot of homes and communities to the north and west in our service area. We have put together this page to let people know what we can do, and what you can do as a homeowner to check your furnace out, and more.

Flooding is no joke.

When a home floods, it is important to have it inspected before you return to living in it. Even if only a little water got in it, it can still be contaminated with mold or sewage that can cause significant problems for the inhabitants. We strongly recommend checking out Wisconsin Department of Health Services' page on flooding.

Communicate with Insurance.

The best time to communicate was right away, the second best time is now. Your homeowner's insurance knows what to do and can offer guidance and may even have referrals to companies if you don't have any. It is a good idea to keep the line of communication as they should be the ones paying the bills for you. Make sure you're following their guidance, to ensure proper coverage.

Air Conditioner Flooding.

Those affected by the flooding most likely had their outdoor condenser unit (the Air Conditioner) flooded with water. This unit is a closed loop system so water should not have gotten into it. Here are the points to be aware of:

The electrical wiring of the condenser can potentially corrode being submerged in water for a period of time. The A/C has low and high voltage. If there is an issue with wiring, we can address that.
If it got up to the condenser fan motor (usually at the top of the unit) it could potentially cause issues now or in the future. Condenser fan motors are exposed to the elements but should not be submerged in it.
If your basement flooded multiple feet above your furnace, that means the indoor coil for your air conditioner is likely affected. We would recommend a total replacement.

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) strongly recommends that ANY flood damaged heating or cooling equipment be replaced. On gas equipment, the valves and controls are likely to corrode, and on electric, the controls are likely to corrode. Units may have insulation that should never get wet.

Furnace Flooding.

If your basement or crawlspace flooded, it most likely got to your heating system. Unfortunately this may be more complicated to get going, as furnaces vary in design and depending how deep it is. Here are the points we are concerned about:

Did the water get to your furnace filter? If so, replace it immediately as the water goes down with a fresh, dry, unused filter.
Most modern furnaces have an upper and lower door on the unit. In most cases the upper one is where ignition components are, and lower door is where blower and in most cases the circuit board is.
If water got up to your furnace board there is a good chance the board has been shorted. If your power went out before the water got that high, the board way work for a bit, but printed circuit boards do not last long after being submerged in water, and odds are will be replaced in the near future if not right away.
If water got up into the top portion of your furnace that means water got into your heat exchanger. If that is the case, you would want a heat exchanger inspection with a scope camera to make sure there isn't remaining debris in the heat exchanger or surface rust caused from the recent water.

As always, check with your homeowner's insurance to see what the recommended protocol is for the furnace. If there is a significant flooding where your basement was submerged, replacement is the best option, considering all the potential repairs needed now and in the immediate future. That being said, if you cannot get that approved, we will do everything we can to make sure you have a well functioning and safe to operate piece of equipment.

Water Heater Flooding.

If your water heater got flooded, the concerns will vary with the type of water heater you have. We separated them by the type of the most common ones (excluding On Demand Water Heaters). The rule of thumb with water heaters is that a flooded water heater should almost always be replaced than repaired. While your water heater may work for a little bit after a flood does not mean it's safe or reliable. See this page for more information.

Standard Vent Gas Water Heater (Chimney)
- Check that the circuit board is safe and replace if failed.
- Ensure that the burner assembly underneath the tank is clean and clear of debris.
- If water got above the water heater and flowed into the exhaust stack, replacement is recommended.
Power Vent Water Heater (Single PVC Pipe)
- Check that the circuit board is safe and replace if failed.
- Ensure that the burner assembly underneath the tank is clean and clear of debris.
- If water got above the water heater and flowed into the exhaust stack, replacement is recommended.
Electric Water Heater (No Venting)
- Check that the elements are operational and the wiring is safe. (most electric water heaters have an upper and lower heat element, and if submerged in water, water will fill up those areas.) It is recommended to replace.

We care, and are here for you.

If your home flooded and you have questions about what to do, or want a second opinion on anything, we are here for you. If you just have a question please feel free to call us at 920-734-1436 or send us an email at service@goodguyswi.com. Looking for us to do an inspection of the equipment? We are happy to do an inspection to give you our best opinion of the situation, and you can set it up by using our service call feature or by calling us at 920-734-1436. While our service area does not cover 100% of the affected area of the flood, those who aren't in our area we are happy to advise the best we can. To check our service area, please visit this page.

Watch out for predatory companies.

When there is tragedy, there are companies that come into town to help. Unfortunately not all are operating ethically. Be on the lookout for the door-to-door sales people, as well as companies that may not be from the area. A healthy level of skepticism is good for everyone. Take time to research the company and if nobody has heard of them, be suspicious.

Resources

Here are some resources for local news and updates.

Shiocton Residents are cleared to return home on Thursday 4/23/26 (WLUK)

Outagamie County Executive (Facebook)

Flood Information and Updates (Village of Shiocton)

Outagamie County Emergency Management (Facebook)

Road Closure Map (511wi.gov)

New London Police Department (Facebook)

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM.wi.gov)