Flooding along shorelines creates a perfect storm of damage for homeowners and businesses who live and work by the water. Some structures may suffer catastrophic damage that requires demolition or extensive remediation, while others may experience only superficial damage or none at all. A common question is: do electrical wires, conductors, electrical components, and electrical panel boxes need to be replaced when exposed to water?
The answer is YES!
Water Absorption and Corrosion Risks
Electrical wires and their coatings tend to wick up water. Even though much of the wiring may be above the water line, a significant portion can still become wet above the flood level. There have been instances where water has wicked up to 15’ above the flood line, causing hidden damage. This is why simply cutting the wire and reconnecting it at the flood line once the water recedes is not sufficient. Additionally, flood water carries dirt, oil, minerals, and debris into homes and businesses, accelerating corrosion and potentially leading to dangerous fires.
Guidelines from Code Enforcement Authorities
A document released by the New York State Department of State Division of Code Enforcement and Administration addresses this issue. In summary, it states that wires exposed to flooding must be replaced unless they are specifically rated for underwater exposure. Since most wiring in homes and businesses is rated for dry conditions, any wiring and panel boxes exposed to water should be replaced. The guidelines also specify that qualified personnel, such as code inspectors or electrical inspectors, should determine whether wiring needs replacement.
Balancing Cost and Safety
There is often pushback from both the insurance industry and homeowners. Insurance companies may favor quick, cost-effective fixes, while homeowners might worry that replacing wiring will add to the disruption. However, safety must always come first. According to NFPA estimates, municipal fire departments have responded to tens of thousands of home structure fires involving electrical failures or malfunctions during periods of flooding. To provide the highest level of service and safety, any wiring, electrical components, or panel boxes exposed to water should be replaced.
Keeping our community safe remains the top priority.
For more detailed information, you can read the full publication from the New York State Department of State Division of Code Enforcement and Administration on our website.
