July 2, 2022

Flooding and storms may cause a significant amount of damage to your property. Your electrical systems are some of the primary areas storms and flooding can impact broadly. When electricity and water come into contact, you and your family will be at risk of electrocution or electricity-related fires, which, if severe, may cause death! You must always be ready to protect your electrical systems when storms and flooding hit. Follow the tips below to ensure that you, your family, and your house are electrically safe.

What Should You Do After a Storm or Flood? 

Even before thinking of what to do after storms and floods, it may help if you first make sure you take preventive measures. This requires you to prepare your home for any storms or floods. This requires you to follow the weather reports and forecasts to be ready when storms or floods may hit. The following tips will help you prepare your home in the period leading up to intense weather: 

  • If you live in a storm or flood-prone area, it may help if you consider elevating your switchboard to higher ground. Do so for any electric equipment that may be below floodwaters previously reached.
  • Switch off and disconnect any electrical appliances you think water may seep through.
  • Check all outside power points for water ingress.
  • Install a safety switch and regularly test it to ensure it is still in good condition.

What to Do if Your Safety Switch Keeps on Tripping During Flooding and Storms

Heavy storms and lightning may cause your safety switch to trip and fail to turn back on even after the storm subsides. If lightning strikes power lines near your house, the resulting voltage fluctuations are what may cause your safety switch to trip. Even so, do not worry, as this may be temporary. 

If the safety switch fails to turn back on, check that you have unplugged every electrical appliance before resetting the circuit breaker. If this persists, you may have a short circuit affecting your system. Get the services of a licensed electrician to help you diagnose and fix the problem. 

Do a Thorough Cleaning after a Storm or Flood

It is crucial that you do a thorough cleaning after a storm. You should ensure safety by switching off your main’s electricity to avoid electrocution if you accidentally touch any exposed wires. There are some crucial areas you need to examine during your clean-up process after a storm or flood. 

First, you need to check your ceiling for water damage. If rainwater starts seeping through your ceiling, it may cause damage to electrical fixtures, which is a danger to you. If you suspect that your ceiling’s leakage has damaged electrical fixtures, do not attempt to repair them on your own! Always seek the services of a licensed electrician to help inspect potential damage and advise you accordingly! 

Property or Connection Damage

If storms damage your house or connecting line, an electrician may need to conduct verification tests on your switchboard, wiring, equipment, and appliances before reconnection. This will help ascertain whether the electrical circuits are still working.

Contact Us!

Inspecting your electrical systems in your home after a storm or flood is not a simple DIY task! You will need the services of a qualified and licensed electrician to help diagnose any faults and conduct the necessary electrical repairs. Astley Electrical has experienced and professional electricians that will check your house for any electrical faults, make the necessary repairs and offer other related services throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area.