As many an electrical contractor can attest, most of us don’t fully appreciate the potential power—and danger—of electricity. Nowhere is this more apparent than when water and electricity meet. If your electrical outlet gets wet, do you know how to resolve the problem safely? Responding appropriately could make all the difference in keeping yourself and others safe.

In kitchens and bathrooms, most electrical outlets already have safeguards in place to prevent water-related electrocutions. This is accomplished with the use of a GFCI outlet, which automatically shuts off when even a little bit of water or excessive levels of humidity get inside the outlet. In these mild circumstances, the outlet can be reset without much worry after a short while.

In more severe instances, however—such as when flooding occurs—more extensive efforts are necessary. Using a wet electrical outlet could result in injury or death. As such, the first thing a homeowner should do is turn off the breaker that is associated with the wet outlet. If several outlets throughout the home are wet, you may need to shut off the main breaker entirely. 

Outlets that have been flooded should not be used until they have been inspected by a professional electrical contractor. Power to these areas should remain shut off until you are told it is safe to restore it. In most cases, these outlets will need to be replaced to prevent the risk of electrical fires or injury.

Whether you need help dealing with a flooded outlet or installing an electrical panel upgrade, it helps to have an electrical contractor you can depend on. With 25 years of experience, you can trust the expert staff at M.R. Stoner Electric to help you with all your maintenance and repair needs. To learn more about what their residential, commercial, and industrial electric service professionals can do for you, visit them online or call (919) 774-8877.