Water-Damaged Electrical Systems: How to Stay Safe

Assessing Water Damage After a Storm

 

 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, assessing water damage to your home’s electrical system is crucial. Water-damaged electrical systems can pose significant safety risks.

 

Water-damaged outlets and switches may short-circuit, increasing shock or electrocution risks. Water can damage an outlet or switch’s internal components, leading to corrosion and an increased fire risk.

 

 

 

Flooding Can Compromise Wiring

 

 

Depending on the extent of your home’s flooding, floodwater may have seeped into your home’s walls. Wiring insulation can be damaged by floodwaters and possible contaminants in the floodwater. Prolonged water exposure can cause corrosion. Even if your wiring fully dries, the insulation may continue to break down or degrade, leading to a risk of short circuits or fire.

 

 

 

Electrical Panel Damage: A Major Post-Flood Hazard

 

 

Flooded electrical panels can be dangerous, especially if they are fully submerged during flooding. Water may cause corrosion to the panel or leave residues that make the breakers fail to trip in an overloaded situation. Breakers that fail to trip increase the risk of an electrical fire in your panel.

 

 

 

Steps to Take Immediately After Discovering Electrical Flood Damage

 

 

If floodwaters damage your home, turn off the power to flooded areas. Do not use flood-damaged electrical systems until a licensed electrician has inspected them. Damaged components such as panels, outlets, or switches should be replaced.

 

 

 

Post-Flood Electrical Inspections Are Essential

 

 

Electrical fires are a known risk following flooding. The Electrical Safety Foundation recommends having any flood-damaged electrical systems inspected by a licensed electrician. Because of the potential risks, they recommend the following:

 

 

Water-damaged equipment that should be replaced

• Arc-fault and ground-fault circuit interrupters
• Batteries
• Lighting, ballasts, and LED drivers
• Low and medium voltage fuses
• Molded-case circuit breakers
• Outlet and junction boxes
• Receptacles
• Signaling, protection, and communications systems
• Surge protective devices
• Switches and dimmers
• Transformers
• Uninterruptible power supply
• Wire or cable (for dry areas)

 

Water-damaged equipment that may be reconditioned

• High-voltage AC circuit breakers
• Low and medium voltage switchgear
• Low-voltage power circuit breakers
• Motors
• Panelboards
• Switchboards
• Wire or cable (for wet areas that have not been damaged/ends not exposed)

 

Flood damage can be costly, but flooded electrical systems can be hazardous. It is crucial to reduce these risks by contacting a licensed electrician to service your home’s water-damaged electrical components.

 

 

 

The Life-Saving Importance of Smoke Detectors

 

 

Above all, install smoke detectors and ensure they all work correctly. Smoke detectors save lives. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke detectors should be replaced 10 years from the manufacture date. Test your smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries annually. Compared to homes with no smoke alarms or poorly functioning alarms, the risk of home fire deaths is reduced by 71% with properly functioning hardwired smoke alarms with a battery.

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