Monsoons are seasonal winds and rainstorms that occur mostly in Southeast Asia. Did you know Arizona has a monsoon season too? It’s normally from June-September every year. However, Phoenix welcomed January 2023 with more rain in 2 days than it had in the first 6 months of 2022. Heavy rains can cause flash flooding in our area. If your electrical wiring gets wet, it’s dangerous.
What Happens If Electrical Wiring Gets Wet?
Water conducts electricity. When paired together, water and electricity are a deadly duo that can lead to property damage and life-threatening risks.
Wiring in wet areas – bathrooms are the best examples – is protected by GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets. If the plug-in or the outlet is wet, it can trip your circuit breaker as a warning. It might cause a small shock. It’s dangerous but not nearly as dangerous as what happens if electrical wiring gets wet repeatedly or for a long period of time.
Your home’s electrical wires are wrapped with protective insulation. But prolonged exposure to water can cause the insulation to erode. That can cause rust and wire deterioration. It can cause mold to form around the wiring, which is also a health risk.
- If exposed wires come into contact with each other, a house fire can occur.
- If you come into contact with exposed wires, fatal shock (electrocution) can occur.
Do not touch exposed wires that are currently or have been wet or submerged. You can use a low-heat hairdryer or fan to dry wet electrical wires following water exposure.
You absolutely must have a professional electrical inspection as soon as possible. If you’ve suffered flooding and/or if outlets have been submerged for several hours, you will most likely need to replace your electrical wiring.
There’s also the possibility wires have gotten wet but you weren’t aware of electrical damage from moisture. Signs your wiring may have water damage include:
- Any burst water pipe or plumbing event involving leak/flooding – If flooding occurs:
- Turn off the main power.
- Unplug everything.
- Call a local electrician for a safety inspection.
- Buzzing sound from switches, outlets, or light fittings
- Circuit breaker frequently trips
- Visible damage to outdoor lighting outlets, boxes, or fittings
- Water leaking from a switch, outlet, or light fitting – If this occurs:
- Turn off the main power.
- Unplug anything plugged into the outlet and don’t plug anything in until it has been inspected.
- Call a local electrician to inspect the wiring.
- Call your plumbing professional to schedule repairs.
- Water trickling down wall(s)
Why You Need Electrical Inspection for Water-damaged Wiring
Peace of mind is a good enough reason to have an electrical inspection following a residential water-damage event. Your family electrician can not only ensure your home’s wiring is undamaged but may also find:
- Degraded electrical wiring and components
- Electrical mistakes made during construction or by previous homeowners
- Energy loss areas
- Other fire hazards/risks
- Outdated wiring
- Oversized fuses/breakers
An electrical inspection can include:
- AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupters) operations
- Cables/anchoring in other areas
- Electrical appliance/equipment ventilation
- Electrical panel
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) electrical delivery ratings
- Grounding
- Labeling breakers
- Lightbulb wattage
- Outdoor electrical systems
- Outlet operations
- Security lighting
- Shock hazards
- Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
- Surge protection
TIO Electric New Year Resolutions
In 2023, Turn It On Electric will continue prioritizing employment and career development for veterans and others interested in becoming professional electricians. We’ll continue providing customer-centric electrical services for homes and businesses in and around:
- Anthem
- Cave Creek
- Chandler
- Gilbert
- Glendale
- Mesa
- Paradise Valley
- Phoenix
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
Our resolution for 2023 is to increase our service efficiency. We want to partner with even more of our neighbors for the best home electrical solutions. Let’s make our homes and businesses safer and more energy efficient than last year!
If you have questions about electrical wiring, contact TIO Electric.
