Flood damage is a common problem in south Florida. Due to our climate and our location, Florida is often the site where hurricanes bring in flooding and damage. If a home or commercial building was recently flooded, the electrical system may have encountered some major damages. Even though electrical wiring is insulated, water can still damage the wiring. Burley Electrical Services will share what you should do after a flood to ensure your wiring isn’t damaged or has become a major safety threat.
How Does Water Affect Electrical Wires?
If your home was recently flooded and the water was high enough to reach your outlets or water has run into the walls of your home, you may have a problem. First when a home floods, especially from a storm or a sewer back up, this water is very dirty. Dirty water is full of contaminants such as gas, oils and chemical used outside. When dirty water fills the home and the electrical wiring is submerged, water will find its way into the wiring insulation or protective cover and begin corroding the wiring. As wiring corrodes, it can cause sparks and lead to a potential fire. For this reason, a home electrical system deserves to have the proper attention to ensure the home or building’s safety after a flood.
Electrical Testing After Water Damage
When a home or building has been flooded, it is important before using any electrical appliance or the electrical system in any way, that the electrical system is thoroughly tested. When testing the electrical system you will need to have a licensed electrician. When a licensed electrician performs electrical tests, they will be able to determine the safety level of the entire electrical system. They can also determine which wires have been damaged and if the wiring needs to be replaced. In most scenarios, when wiring comes in contact with or has been submerged by water, it is most likely that the wiring will need to be replaced.
How Do You Prevent Water Damage?
When you have had to replace much of your home’s electrical wiring, you may wonder what you can do to prevent future water damage. In some cases, you can move your outlets higher up on the wall. When moving the outlets higher on the wall, the wiring will not be so low, thereby preventing the wiring from being exposed to the water during a major flood. When moving the outlet up on the wall, the wall will need to be cut, the receptacle box that houses the outlet installed, and the new wiring and outlet put in place. If you decide to move your outlets higher on the wall, be sure to seek a professional electrician to ensure the outlets are installed correctly.
Electrical Wiring Inspections, Repairs, Replacement & More in Pompano Beach, Imperial Point, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Lighthouse Point, Parkland & Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Water damage and flooding is a problem in the state of Florida. Homeowners as well as business owners must take electrical safety seriously. When you have experienced a recent flooding and your electrical wiring may have been water damaged, contact Burley Electrical Services. We can help inspect, test and replace your wiring and more.
