Flooding is common in a state like Michigan, where lakes and rivers abound. The four-season weather we experience unfortunately means that flood-causing storms can happen almost year-round. If your home has been recently flooded, keep reading to learn how licensed electricians at Flat River Electric are able to repair water damage done to your home.
1. Conduct a Safety Inspection
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, which is why you need to have your home inspected by a local electrician before entering your home after a flood. Don’t assume that your house is safe to enter after it’s been flooded. You don’t want to risk being electrocuted if your neighbors are using emergency generators.
An electrician may disconnect your electric meter so it’s safe to re-enter your home. They will also do an electrical survey to determine how much work has to be done before you can live in your home again. Electrical repairs should be scheduled as soon as possible after a flood to eliminate the risk of electrical shock.
READ MORE: How Electricians Make Your Home Safer >>
2. Coordinate with Other Storm Damage Contractors
Before you can start rebuilding, you’ll need to hire an electrician to remove components like switches, residential wiring, and electrical outlets. Whoever you hire should be licensed so you know they are qualified to handle the electrical work ahead.
Also make sure that your service electrician coordinates with the other contractors you hire for storm and flood damage repairs. For example, you’ll need to let your electrician know if you plan on removing drywall or carpeting to prevent mold.
3. Determine What Can be Salvaged
While electrical wiring may still be salvageable after being submerged in water, there is still the risk of corrosion. In general, you should plan on replacing any parts of your home’s electrical system that fall below the flood line.
Automobile fluids and other pollutants in the floodwaters can corrode home electrical wiring, which is why an electrician might recommend complete replacement. A residential electrician will be able to determine what can be salvaged and what needs to be replaced so your home is safe.
4. Inspect Household Appliances
Appliances below the water line will most likely need to be replaced. For example, many homeowners need to replace refrigerators and ovens if they were submerged in even just a couple inches of water.
Also keep in mind that motors and compressors won’t work after being submerged in water. If you are unsure whether an appliance is salvageable, call a licensed electrician to inspect the unit before plugging it in.
5. Preventive Maintenance
There are things electricians can do to prevent electrical risks in future floods. The most common protective measure to take is installing GFCIs, or ground fault circuit interrupters. These cut off the power to your home in the event of an emergency, preventing the risk of shock and keeping your family safe.
Our electricians can install these GFCIs in your home so you can rest easy knowing that if there’s a flood, you won’t have to worry about an electric shock.
Call Us Today!
The Lowell residential electricians at Flat River Electric are dedicated to helping homeowners recover after major floods and storms. Not only do we offer storm repair services, but we are also experienced with home rewiring and troubleshooting electrical problems. If you need to schedule electrical repairs for your flooded home, give us a call at (616) 987-0978.