There are a million and one things that run through your mind after your home in Worcester suffers from water damage. Our goal at MA Restoration is to take all of those things and handle them for you so you can have a successful water damage restoration with the least amount of stress possible. That being said, there are some important things that you should consider any time water damage occurs for your safety and the safety of your family – one of the most important being electricity.
If your electrical system has been compromised by water damage, there is a very serious risk of electrocution. Here is everything you need to know about how to prevent potential harm from an electrical system that has been compromised or damaged by water.
The first thing you should do when you find water damage is to assume that the electrical system has been compromised and turn off all power to the affected area. If water levels have reached the height of the electrical outlets in the room, the wiring will have been exposed to water. Any time wiring meats water, the internal components and both the insulation and the filler will fail. These conduits will need to be fully dried and maybe even replaced before power can safely run through them again. As soon as you find the water damage, shut off all power to the affected area so that no electrical current can run through the electrical system. It is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure how to turn off the power or are unsure where your electrical box is, avoid the area completely and do not turn anything on until the help you called in arrives.
As the water damage restoration process proceeds, items, and belongings are removed from the damaged area. Make sure that appliances and electronic devices that were exposed to water are handled with caution. Do not attempt to plug them back in or turn anything on until a trained professional has examined the situation and deemed it safe. The wiring in these devices can become damaged beyond repair when exposed to water, making them unsafe to use. If your homeowner’s insurance covers water damage, be sure to keep track of any and all appliances or electrical devices that have sustained water damage so you can turn them in as losses. Then, be sure that they are disposed of safely and properly. Plugging in damaged appliances or devices can not only ruin the device itself but can also cause a surge through the electrical system and result in further damage like sparking that can lead to fire damage.
At MA Restoration, we are available 24/7 for any kind of water damage restoration. While we want to impress the importance of being aware of the potential threats that a water-damaged electrical system can have, we do not want to cause extra panic or stress during a time that is already overwhelming. This is why our trained water damage restoration technicians are ready to respond to your situation right away, efficiently, and effectively. We know how to safely and successfully respond to water damage even when your electrical system has been compromised.