Home wires and cables exposed to heavy rains or floodwaters are electrical hazards that threaten the safety of you and your family. Prolonged moisture and wetness can cause mildew and corrosion for your home's wiring, so you will need your electrical contractors to tackle the problem as soon as possible. Before the electrical contractors arrive, you can undertake some immediate actions to protect your loved ones from fires or electrocution when water submerges your wiring.
Turn Off Your Electrical Mains
Before the electrical contractors arrive, you'll want to turn off your main electrical switch to prevent live electricity from running through water-damaged wires because this could pose as a potential fire hazard in your home. Avoid handling any electrical devices and equipment for the time being, so that you don't end up electrocuting yourself.
Determine The Extent Of The Damage
If possible, try to assess the degree of the damage, so that you can give as much information to your electrical contractors as possible. This will help them come better prepared to tackle the emergency electrical situation in your home. For example, letting them know which parts of your electrical wiring or home have been submerged will help them bring adequate wire replacements and equipment to handle the problem. Similarly, if some of your electrical appliances, power equipment, motor controls and transformers have been damaged because of water, let your electrical contractors know before they arrive for quick damage assessment and repair.
Check Whether Any Other Liquids Are Involved
If your wires are submerged in floodwater, then there's a possibility that they could also be exposed to other liquids like sewage, oils and chemicals from outside. If possible, try to establish whether any other liquids are affecting the water-submerged wires. Even if you have turned off your electrical mains before standing in pools of water to inspect the damage, be sure to wear protective clothing like rubber boots or gloves because they provide an insulating layer to shield you from life-threatening electrical shocks.
Eliminate Standing Water
If water sits for a long time in your home, it will likely cause irreparable damage to more areas of your electrical wiring, so you may want to get rid of any remaining water as much as possible. Make sure the floodwater is naturally receding before getting rid of water from your home or your task will prove redundant. When working with flooded water, make sure you wear proper clothes to protect your skin from any pollutants in the water.
These immediate actions will help you smartly manage the situation until your electrical contractors arrive.
Share22 January 2016
Welcome to my blog. My name is Mia. A few years ago, my partner and I bought an old home. It needed to have all new wiring installed, and through that process of working closely with a fabulous electrician, I learned a lot. I learned everything, from which questions to ask, to how to do a bit of wiring on my own. If you are hiring an electrician, you need to explore my posts. I hope they help guide you in the right direction. Now, that our home is finally, for the first time, not in the midst of a repair or project, I decided to start this blog. In addition, I also like to fish and read.