Can electrical wiring be water-damaged? Certainly. While your electrical system is incredibly convenient, it can also be incredibly dangerous if ever compromised by flood damage or excessive moisture. Water and electricity are a lethal combination: you should always shut off electricity to any area of your home that has gotten wet, then call TN Flood Kings for help.
Does Water Damage Ruin Electrical Wires in a House?
Wires aren’t meant to get wet: even a small amount of water can cause the system to fail immediately, or it can lead to sparks and electrical fires after continued use. However, wires are affected in different ways when exposed to water.
There are two main types of cable products: UF cable and NM-B cable.
UF, or “underground feeder cable,” has extra insulation that makes it suitable for wet locations, such as underground or outdoor electrical appliances. Every wire inside it is sheathed separately so that it can withstand moisture.
This type is less likely to need replacing after inland flooding, though the sediments and dissolved materials in contaminated floodwater or salt water can lead to termination failures, meaning that it’s not properly insulated anymore.
NM-B, or nonmetallic cable, is only for dry locations, as it has paper fillers inside that help insulate the components. When these get wet for any reason, it leads to premature cable failure and, potentially, the breakdown of the whole electrical system.
Do You Need to Replace Electrical Wiring After a Flood?
The answer is almost always yes. Any wires exposed to water will need to be replaced by experts like TN Flood Kings. Damaged wiring can lead to serious issues, including electrocution and electrical fires, which will devastate your home and take serious expertise to put out.
Flood water isn’t clean water: it can also contain detergents that eat away at electrical wiring, leading to dangerous corrosion. Any wiring exposed to a flood must be checked by a professional to identify whether it’s safe to use or if it needs to be replaced.
Any cables in the affected area should be removed, destroyed, and safely disposed of by a qualified technician so that they will not cause any harm to you or your family.
Have a Professional Electrician Check Your Wires After Water Damage
Unless you are a professional electrician, you should never work on electrical wiring in your home: call TN Flood Kings right away for help. We’ll recommend great electricians who can quickly resolve problems.
These professionals can diagnose problems with your electrical system and identify what needs to be fixed through a variety of tests.
The technician will perform an insulation resistance test, which checks to see how well the insulation is blocking the flow of electricity in the wire.
Moving Your Outlets Higher on the Wall to Prevent Water Damage
If your home experiences flood conditions regularly, you may be able to reduce the water damage to your wiring by moving your outlets higher up on the wall.
Relocating the outlets involves cutting new entries in the drywall for the receptacle boxes, patching up the old holes, and running the wires up to the new location. They may also replace NM-B cable with UF cable. Always hire an electrical contractor to handle this job; TN Flood Kings would be happy to connect you with a pro.
Note that this can’t always prevent all water damage to your wiring or electrical appliances: water can still seep into the walls. You will also still experience electrical damage if the flooding comes from above, such as from torrential rainstorms.
If You’ve Experienced Water Damage, TN Flood Kings Is Here to Help!
Whether it’s mold damage or flooding, we’re here to help. Your Flood Kings will assess the area and identify what will need to be replaced for your safety and comfort.
We work directly with your insurance company and offer free consultations by IICRC-certified technicians.
Call Us 24/7 For Prompt and Professional Service!
