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High Water at HomePart III ยท Water above the outlets

Outlets to the panel

Part III

Water above the outlets

Once water rises past the outlets, the house has a new rule: anything electrical that went under stays off until a licensed electrician says otherwise, and any gas appliance that went under is not lit again until a licensed pro has inspected or replaced it.

The five chapters here take the equipment one piece at a time: outlets and panels, water heaters, gas lines and propane tanks, well pumps and pressure tanks, and water softeners and filters.

  1. Chapter 15Power stays off: outlets, panels and pumpsCan I turn the power back on once the floodwater is gone?

    Flooded breakers, outlets, panels and pump controls stay off after the water goes down, because federal safety agencies say parts that were under water must be inspected and usually replaced by a licensed electrician first.

  2. Chapter 16Water heaters that went under waterMy water heater sat in floodwater; can I dry it out and use it again?

    A flooded water heater should not be lit, switched on or used again, because two major makers say any heater that went under water should be replaced, and a third wants a qualified technician first.

  3. Chapter 17Gas lines and propane tanks after a floodIs my gas line or propane tank safe after floodwater went through?

    Gas lines and propane tanks that sat in floodwater are not yours to test or restart: if you smell gas, get out, call from outside, and let the gas utility or your propane supplier check every line, regulator and tank.

  4. Chapter 18Well pumps and pressure tanks after a floodCan I switch my well pump back on after the flood went over it?

    A well pump that sat in floodwater must stay off: the wiring, control box and pressure switch can shock you or burn out, so an electrician and a licensed pump installer check the whole system before it runs again.

  5. Chapter 19Softeners, filters and treatment units after a floodCan my water softener or whole-house filter be cleaned and used again after a flood?

    A water softener or filter that floodwater reached usually needs its media or cartridges thrown out, its tank and valve sanitized by the maker's method, and its electrical head kept off until it is dry and checked.