Spring floods are all too common in many parts of the United States. It is difficult and expensive to prevent a body of water from flooding, and it can be just as hard to recover from a flood. The flood cleanup process is expensive and can pose a risk to your health if you are not careful, particularly around electrical equipment.
Shock Prevention
The North Dakota State Electrical Board warns the public about the dangers of using water-damaged electrical equipment. It states that you should always ask your power company to turn off the power to your home immediately after electrical wiring, breaker panels or a fuse box experiences exposure to water from a recent flood. Do not try to pump any water out of a building before the power company shuts the electricity off because there is an increased risk of an electrical shock. Additionally, if water drains out of a building on its own, the North Dakota State Electrical Board states the electrical system and equipment is still not safe.
Any amount of water in a little amount of time can cause rust and corrosion in electrical equipment. Consequently, sediment and contaminants can get stuck in the electrical equipment and pose a danger. Because of the high risk submerged electrical equipment poses, it is best to employ the skills of a flood remediation specialist and a licensed electrical contractor to help get you back on your feet quickly and safely after a flood.
[photo: Mike Weston]
