When Water and Electricity Mix
We wrote about water damage and electrical systems recently, now below is some information that could be good to have filed in the back of your minds should something similar happen in the future.
So, let's have a quick yarn about repairing your electrical system after a flood.
We've already acknowledged it can be a dangerous and stressful ordeal. Although it is reasonable to want to have your home or business back to normal after a disaster, there are some steps that should be taken to ensure the safety of you and your family/colleagues.
HOW FLOODING AFFECTS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Flood water can introduce corrosion to electrical systems and this, combined with residual moisture, can make electrical systems unstable and dangerous. For this reason, most electrical components that have been submerged in water for even a short time will likely need to be replaced.
REPAIRING YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Once you have been given access the property, you should go through it and make a list of everything that the water touched. Along with wiring, any switches and outlets that the water came into contact with will need to be replaced. Electrical items, such as media players, heaters, fuse boxes, light fixtures, and appliances, are also usually ruined by floods and will need to be replaced.
Any electrical system repair should only be handled by a professional electrician.
PRECAUTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
One of the most important precautions that can be taken is a good insurance plan that covers flood damage. Since flood damage can be expensive to repair, having insurance can help keep the expenses down and allow your repairs to go further.
Whilst it's hard to see the opportunities when your building and possessions are potentially ruined, it can be a small relief if you can see some opportunities. For instance, if you have ever wanted to change the positioning of a switch or outlet or if you have been wanting to upgrade your appliances and electrical system, it may be ideal to make these changes after a flood, as the walls will already need to be opened up.
