Water in electric sockets: Your questions answered
When it comes to safety in the home, water and electricity are two things that must never be mixed. If water in your home has come into contact with your electrics, below are some answers to frequently asked questions you might have.
Note: If you are worried about the situation or consider the situation to be dangerous then please call our emergency electricians in Surbiton, Surrey on 0800 788 0629. We are 24-hour emergency electricians and will be able to advise you immediately on the next steps.
What happens if you get water in your plug sockets?
Accidents happen and every year, a number of people will get water in their plugs or plug sockets.
This can lead to a lot of electrical problems and can cause physical injury if anyone comes into contact with the electrical system and, while this is a risk, it should be minimised if you have a correctly working fusebox and wiring system as the trip switch should cut the power to avoid any injury.
If the power hasn’t been cut automatically then the first thing that you should do is to turn off the power supply to the socket and then remove the fuse from the fuse box.
You should also make sure that there are no other plugs or lights on in the house before you touch any wires or cables.
For help with any of the above, emergency electricians can help by giving them a call. These kind of incidents tend to happen in the evenings or at the weekends when there is more activity in the home. Luckily, an after hours electrician will be able to help.
Once you have taken the right actions to reduce any risks, you should make sure that the plug or socket affected is fully dried out and that the electrical system is safe before turning it back on.
How can I dry out an electrical plug that fell into the water?
Before re-using an electrical plug, it must be completely dried out and checked over. It should be safe to use the plug again, but only if the right precautions are taken.
Take apart the plug socket and clean it with a dry cloth or towel before trying to reattach it back together again. While the plug is taken apart, it’s also worth leaving it on the side to dry thoroughly.
This should fix any problems that you have with your socket.
If I get water in my outside lights, is it safe to use?
This is a common question that many people have. The answer is no, water in the outside lights will mean that the outside lights are not safe to use. Water ingress can cause damage to the lights and it can also cause corrosion on the metal parts.
If water gets into your outside lights, you need to take them down and clean them thoroughly and make sure that the lights are dried out fully. If there are some parts that are damaged, you may need to replace those parts with new ones.
Should I contact an emergency call out electrician if the issue persists?
If you have any concerns or you find that the trip switch goes off again then yes, you should contact an emergency electrician. Surrey and the surrounding areas are supported by our services and we would be happy to help. We are 24-hour emergency electricians and guarantee to be with you or in contact with you within 2 hours.
Need help? Contact your emergency call out electricians today
Today, we can’t live without electricity in our home, but it does carry many potential risks and, while government legislation and technical advancements have reduced those risks, cautions should still be taken.
If you have any concerns or need help, give us a call. We are focused on helping anyone who has an electrical emergency or wants immediate support. We are also an after hours electrician providing support 24 hours a day.
If you are experiencing any electrical problems then get in touch with us immediately by calling 0800 788 0629.