Why we know this topic all too well
September 2024 showed that this is not a theoretical problem: the flood affected, among others, Dzierżoniów - according to the loss statement published by the city, the damage exceeded 30 mln zł and covered municipal buildings, private houses and businesses - as well as the vicinity of Pełcznica in Świebodzicach. Municipal climate change adaptation plans (e.g. the Świdnica one) also point out local flooding spots. But flooding is not just a flood: a burst washing machine hose at the upstairs neighbour's does exactly the same to the installation.
Rule number 1: do not switch on "as a test"
Water penetrates junction boxes, strips, cable insulation and into the distribution board. The installation may "work" despite the dampness - and that is precisely the trap: current flowing through damp insulation gradually destroys it, and corroded connections heat up under load. The fact that it "works" does not mean it is safe.
- if water is just starting to appear and access to the board is dry and safe - switch off the power supply to the flooded rooms;
- do not enter the flooded room if water can come into contact with the installation or live equipment;
- after the water has receded, do not turn on the power until the installation has been checked.
Safe start-up step by step
- Visual inspection - distribution board, junction boxes, sockets, equipment: what came into contact with water, and what only with moisture;
- Drying - the installation is not measured "wet"; realistically, days, sometimes weeks with dehumidifiers are needed;
- Insulation resistance measurement of each circuit that could have become damp - this is what tells us whether the cables are fit for further operation;
- Assessment of accessories - sockets, switches and devices that were submerged are, as a rule, replaced with new ones (corrosion of contacts progresses also after drying);
- Report and photo documentation - a complete set for the insurer and the property manager.
Important: not every installation requires replacement after contact with water. The scope of repair results from measurements, not from emotions - sometimes it ends with drying and replacing a few sockets, sometimes sections of circuits need to be replaced. An honest contractor will show the measurement results and propose options: minimal, staged and target.
Businesses: a separate path
A flooded warehouse, hall or machine is a different scale of problem - the sequence of start-up, machine protection and production continuity matter. For businesses, we run this as a separate process with documentation for the insurer - see electrical service for halls and production.
After flooding, the insurer will ask for documents. Photos from the day of the damage plus the measurement report after drying are the strongest set when settling a claim. We provide the complete package - book an installation check.
