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 damage assessment published by the city, losses exceeded 30 million zł and included municipal buildings, private homes, and businesses - as well as the area around Pełcznica in Świebodzice. Urban climate change adaptation plans (e.g., Świdnica's) also indicate local flood points. But flooding is not just about a deluge: a burst washing machine hose from an upstairs neighbour does exactly the same to the installation.
Rule number 1: do not switch on 'just to check'
Water penetrates junction boxes, trunking, cable insulation, and the consumer unit. The installation might 'work' despite dampness - and this is precisely the trap: current flowing through damp insulation gradually destroys it, and corroded connections heat up under load. Just because it 'works' doesn't mean it's safe.
- if water is just appearing, and access to the consumer unit is dry and safe - switch off power to the flooded rooms;
- do not enter a flooded room if water may come into contact with live electrical installations or appliances;
- after the water recedes, do not switch on the power until the installation has been checked.
Safe recommissioning step by step
- Inspection - consumer unit, junction boxes, sockets, appliances: what came into contact with water, and what only with moisture;
- Drying - installations are not measured 'wet'; it realistically takes days, sometimes weeks, with dehumidifiers;
- Insulation resistance measurement of every circuit that might have become damp - this tells whether the cables are suitable for continued operation;
- Assessment of accessories - sockets, switches, and devices that were submerged are usually replaced with new ones (contact corrosion continues even after drying);
- Protocol and photographic documentation - a complete set for the insurer and administrator.
Important: not every installation requires replacement after contact with water. The scope of repair results from measurements, not emotions - sometimes it ends with drying and replacing a few sockets, sometimes sections of circuits need to be replaced. An honest contractor will show measurement results and propose variants: minimal, phased, and target.
Businesses: a separate path
A flooded warehouse, hall or machine is a different scale of problem - the order of start-up, machine protection and production continuity are crucial. For businesses, we manage this as a separate process with documentation for the insurer - see electrical service for halls and production facilities.
After a flood, the insurer will ask for documents. Photos from the day of the damage plus a measurement protocol after drying is the strongest set for claims settlement. We provide the complete set - book an installation check.
