WHAT TO DO IF YOUR TREADMILL IS IN A FLOOD

When homeowners say that their treadmill has been in a flood, they most often mean one of two distinct situations. Sometimes the treadmill was actually in a flood and was under water at least four inches deep for any length of time. That is a serious situation and depending on the actual depth of the water, duration of the flood and whether or not the water contained contaminants, the treadmill may not be cost effectively salvaged.

The second scenario is one in which the treadmill is unfortunately located in the vicinity of a leaking or broken pipe, with the treadmill never being in water more than two inches deep.

In both situations, when the water has receded and after the unit is unplugged, dry the exterior with old towels or rags. Pay particular attention to the treadmill's display console if it had gotten wet. Then remove the motor cover, tip the treadmill over and lay it on either side, being careful not to damage the console or the handrails, to let the water drain out.. It may take two people to lay the treadmill on its side safely. After four hours, lay it on the other side and aim a fan at the motor compartment. After another four to six hours, turn off the fan and leave the treadmill in that position for a several days. When you are satisfied that all of the moisture has evaporated, restore the treadmill to the upright position and have it evaluated by a qualified technician.

In the first scenario, the running belt and deck usually have to be replaced and some of the other components may have been compromised. After drying thoroughly, the drive motor, the elevation motor, drive roller and the take up roller frequently work satisfactorily, but may display symptoms such as , binding, clicking or other noises several months later, because their concealed bearings have been compromised. Only time will tell the true extent of the damage.