Electrical Safety After Water Damage: What Arizona Homeowners Should Know
After water damage, never walk into standing water while the power is on. Shut off the breaker for the wet area from a dry spot. If the panel is wet, call the utility instead. Keep cords off wet floors, have an electrician check wet outlets, wiring and panels before power goes back on, and replace appliances that sat in flood water.
The first instinct after a leak is to rush in and save your things. Wait. Water conducts electricity, and outlets, power strips, floor heaters and extension cords sit right at floor level. A few minutes of planning keeps you safe and protects your insurance claim.
If water is spreading right now, call our water removal service Arizona line. A live person can talk you through shutting off power and water.
Reading this with water on the floor? Get help first.
Need Help Now? Tap Here(833) 937-0179What are the 5 electrical safety rules after water damage?
- Never walk into standing water with the power on. Even an inch of water near a live outlet or cord can shock you.
- Shut off power from a dry spot. Flip the breaker for the wet rooms. If you must stand in water to reach the panel, or the panel itself is wet, do not touch it. Call APS, SRP, TEP or your local utility to cut power at the meter.
- Keep cords and fans off wet floors. Use GFCI-protected outlets in dry rooms for any fans or pumps.
- Have an electrician check wet electrical parts. Outlets, switches, wiring and panels that got wet need an inspection before power goes back on.
- Replace appliances that sat in flood water. Water heaters, furnaces, washers and dryers that were submerged can short or corrode inside.
When should you shut off the main breaker?
Shut off the main if water has reached outlets in several rooms, if the ceiling is leaking near lights or fans, or if you are not sure which breakers feed the wet area. A burst pipe in the attic is a common case. Water runs along joists and drips through light fixtures. See our guide on water leaking from a ceiling light.
If you smell burning, see sparks or hear buzzing, leave the home and call 911.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
You can often stay if the power is off only in the wet area and the rest of the home is dry. Leave if the panel is wet, if water reached the main living areas, or if the water is sewage. Our guide on whether you can stay home during water damage restoration covers the details.
What about appliances and electronics?
Do not plug in or turn on anything that got wet until it is fully dry and checked. Unplug items in the wet room only if you can do so from a dry spot with dry hands. Photograph wet electronics before you move them. Insurance adjusters ask for proof.
Water from a washer, dishwasher or water heater is a common source of these leaks. Our guide on appliance leaks shows what to check.
Which water types make electrical damage worse?
Clean water from a supply line is the least harmful, but it still shorts outlets and corrodes contacts. Gray water from a washer or dishwasher carries soap and minerals. Black water from sewage or outside flooding carries dirt, salts and bacteria that leave residue inside wiring and devices. Arizona's hard water also leaves mineral deposits as it dries.
The dirtier the water, the more likely an electrician will replace outlets, switches and breakers instead of drying them. Sewage water also changes how cleanup is done. See our sewage backup guide if that is your case.
| Water type | Common source | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | Supply line, water heater | Inspect, dry, test |
| Gray | Washer, dishwasher, AC drain | Inspect, often replace devices |
| Black | Sewage, monsoon runoff | Replace wet devices and wiring as advised |
When can the restoration crew start?
Once the power to the wet area is off, a crew can start extraction safely. Pros use GFCI-protected equipment and run cords from dry circuits. Water extraction usually costs about $500 to $1,500, and drying $1,000 to $3,500. Starting fast matters. Our 24 hour water extraction Arizona guide explains why.
If the leak came from a broken supply line, see pipe breaks Buckeye AZ homeowners can handle in the first hour, or call our burst pipe repair Tucson crews.
Dealing with water damage now? Talk to a live person 24/7.
Get Expert Help 24/7(833) 937-0179Frequently asked questions
Can I turn the power back on after a leak?
Only after the area is dry and any wet outlets, wiring or panels have been checked by a licensed electrician.
Is it safe to use a wet-dry vacuum on standing water?
Only with the room's power off, the vacuum plugged into a GFCI outlet in a dry area, and you standing on a dry surface.
What if my electrical panel got wet?
Do not touch it. Call your utility to shut off power at the meter, then have an electrician inspect it before use.
Do I need to replace outlets that got wet?
Outlets that were under water are usually replaced. An electrician decides based on how long they were wet and the water type.
About the author
Noah Miller founded AZ Water Damage Help in Queen Creek to give Arizona homeowners fast, honest water damage help. He writes and updates these guides using public guidance from the EPA, the IICRC, the National Weather Service and Arizona state agencies. More about Noah.
Sources
- Electrical Safety Foundation International
- EPA: Flooded Homes
- IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)