Electrical Safety After Water Damage

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

After water has infiltrated your home, safety should be your top concern. This goes double when it comes to electricity. Water and electricity don’t mix (or, they mix too well) and after a flood, there are many potential hazards that you should be aware of with your electrical system. 

Electrical Safety Tips After Water Infiltration

As you might have guessed, the biggest risk that you’ll have to protect yourself against is electrical shock. The best way to keep yourself safe is to assume that, if an electrical device gets wet or is covered in standing water, it is compromised and potentially dangerous. Here are a few more tips:

• If electrical devices are covered in standing water, assume that it is already charged with life-threatening amounts of electrical current.
• Use your eyes and ears. If you see sparks or hear popping or buzzing noises, do not enter the room.
• Use your nose as well - the first sign of an electrical fire is often the smell of burning plastic.
• If electrical equipment has come into contact with water at all, don’t take an unnecessary risk - have a certified electrician clear it before using it.

Even if water damage is not visible and obvious, there’s still a chance that moisture can negatively affect your electrical system, devices and appliances. Often, this damage comes in the form of rust and corrosion that only becomes apparent long after the initial water damage has been mitigated. We recommend speaking to a certified electrician after your incident, especially if the following have been exposed to moisture:

• Wiring and circuitry;
• Switches and outlets;
• Water heaters;
• HVAC equipment;
• Major appliances (especially appliances that have motors). 

When it comes to electricity and water, don’t take any risks - work with a professional restoration company and a certified professional to return your home or business to preloss condition.