UAE has been facing flooding issues for the last few years due to multiple climate disruptions. The catastrophic flood affects thousands of people, residential or commercial properties, vehicles, and roads. It can also enter vehicles to create malfunctions and safety risks for passengers.
After facing this scenario, business tycoons commonly change their cars. Also, if someone purchasing a 2nd hand car in Dubai, he needs to be sure about its previous conditions. To let you know some basics so you can figure out if the car is affected by the flood, this blog is crafted by Dubai Auto Glass.
8 Notable Damages Found On Flooded Cars
Being experts, we firmly say that a flood-affected vehicle shows multiple damage signs that must be addressed for safety and high comfort. The most dreadful problems in this situation are that damage signs are not obvious and insurance companies don’t offer damage coverage.
To prevent these inconveniences, you need to know about the most probably occurring car damages due to floods. We have highlighted the prominent signs for your better understanding.
1- Mud & Debris
2- Water Staining
3- Damp Carpeting
4- Engine Damage
5- Wiring Loom
6- Rusting
7- Bad Transmission
8- Damaged Exhaust System
1- Mud & Debris
A flood-affected car shows mud or debris on seats, doors, carpets, and exterior surfaces. Sometimes, you can observe the water standing inside the chairs. The dashboard and windscreen may also be affected by layers of mud or wet debris. This mud usually builds up on the small openings inside the car such as the rear defroster vents, center console, door locks, etc.
2- Water Staining
If you’re inspecting the car to observe the flood damage signs, water staining is a visible sign. The car upholstery surface, dashboard, seatbelts, headliners, and door locks may have water linings. These staining’s may be light or dark in color per water quantity and dryness. The car floor can also get damaged by the accumulation of floodwater.
3- Damp Carpeting
The vehicle’s saggy or damp carpet is another indicator that it has been submerged in flood water for days or weeks. The chances of bacterial propagation, sewage waste accumulation, and other unhygienic factors are more common.
4- Engine Damage
If flood water enters the engine, it damages all its compartments such as the piston, cylinder, radiator, starter motor, alternator, and sensors. These vital components can’t work properly in wet conditions and fail to give the response.
The long-term accumulation of flood water in any of these parts leads to permanent engine failure.
5- Wiring Loom
How is it possible that water entered the car and didn’t affect the electrical wiring? The wiring loom is a properly designed wire structure that transmits power from the battery to all electrical appliances. The water content usually damages the wires, hence breaking the transmission lines. So the electrical devices in flood-affected cars usually don’t work efficiently.
6- Rusting
Rusting can also be seen commonly on the car metallic surfaces affected by flood water. The major problem of rusting is that it spreads rapidly on the surface and destroys the structural integrity, surface shine, and car paint. In flooding, the water stays on any car’s surface for a long time which can lead to rusting. You can find rusting or corrosion on any flood-affected car surface easily.
7- Bad Transmission
One of the major failures caused by flooding is bad transmission of oil and power. The moisture content can affect the transmission lines by cracking, leaking, or swelling of metal pits, lines, pipes, or wires. In this way, the entire vehicle system may be affected due to poor transmission of essential elements such as oil and power.
8- Damaged Exhaust System
The exhaust system is the most critical part of any automobile. It takes in fuel, air, and other emissions from the engine and sends them outside through the exhaust pipe. If water enters the exhaust system; it will restrict the engine’s fuel emission, smoke, and air.
The car will produce more sound due to the blockage of exhaust pipes and lines.
Final Words!
To conclude this blog, we can say that flooding not only reduces the car’s working efficiency but also damages its electrical and exhaust systems, upholstery, carpeting, dashboard, and doors. Dubai Auto Glass has mentioned the 8 most common damages that a flood-affected car may have. If you find any of these damages, must approach professionals for a complete car repair and maintenance guide.
