Electrical Systems and Appliances

General Clean-up and What To Do Before the Electrician Arrives

After suffering damages caused by flooding, immediately beginning the cleanup process maybe instinctive. Use caution when dealing with water-damaged electrical equipment. Electrical wiring and equipment that has been exposed to floodwaters can be extremely dangerous if not examined and repaired or replaced. Before your electrical system is turned on, you should contact a licensed electrical contractor to check your system.

Before entering your home after the flood, be sure that the electricity has been completely shut off. Appliances that have been exposed to floodwaters should not be operated until they have been recondtioned. Running equipment before it is properly reconditioned could seriously damage it and may cause electrical shock to people.

Electrical Circuits and Equipment

:If the home fuse or circuit breaker panel has been exposed to floodwaters, it should be disconnected immediately because this poses a serious risk of electrical shock or fire. Contact your power supplier and notify it to disconect your power immediately.

All breaker panel boards, breakers, fuses, disconnect switches, controllers, receptacle outlets, switches, light fixtures and electrical heaters that have been exposed to water damage must be replaced.

The electrical system should be checked and certified by a licensed electrical contractor to assure the system will be safe to energize. If you have any questions about your electrical system, call your local licensed electrical contractor, electrical inspector or the State Electrical Board.

If you need electrical power, you can contact a licensed electrical contractor and have a temporary electrical panel installed or you can use a generator.

Things to do before the licensed electricial contractor arrives:

Remove covers from all switches, convenience outlets, light outlets and junction boxes that have been under water. If a box is filled with mud, remove the screws that hold the receptacle or the switch in place. Pull the receptacle, switch and wires out about 2 inches from the box. Clean out all mud and dirt. Do not remove electrical connections. Leave the box open for the electrician.

Electrical Appliances

Equipment such as appliances, water heaters, dishwashers, ovens and ranges that have been exposed to water damage should be reconditioned by an approved manufacturer's representative or replaced.

Electrical Cleanup

• Appliances: Electric motors and appliance electronics must be reconditioned or replaced because moisture and contamination can cause damage to the unit and electrical hazards when energized. To clean appliance surfaces, use a heavy-duty cleaner and hot water, then a bleach solution. Refrigerators, freezers and ovens with foam insulation and sealed components may have little water damage, but since they hold food, they should be cleaned and disinfected.
• Electronics: Get a cost estimate from a professional for repairing televisions, radios, computers and similar equipment to decide if the device is worth repairing.
• Cleanup equipment: When using sprayers, wet vacs, vacuum cleaners and other cleaning equipment, use an extension cord with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or install a GFCI in the electrical circuits in damp environments.

Related publications:

'Evalulating Water-Damage Electrical Equipment" published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). To obtain a copy, go to the NEMA Web site at www.nema.org/stds/water-damaged.cfm#download.