Updated
Flooded Electrics After Leak Or Flood
Your electrical installation has been submerged or heavily soaked by flooding.
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What's happening?
When a property floods — whether from a burst pipe, river flooding, or surface water — the electrical installation can be severely compromised. Water saturates cables, back boxes, junction boxes, and the consumer unit. Even after the floodwater recedes, the electrical installation is unsafe until professionally inspected and tested. Contaminated floodwater (sewage, chemicals) causes additional corrosion damage.
What usually causes it?
- River or surface water flooding entering the property
- Major internal leak or burst pipe flooding rooms
- Sewage backup flooding the ground floor or basement
- Drain failure causing standing water in the property
- Loft tank overflow flooding down through the house
Is it dangerous?
Flooded electrics are life-threateningly dangerous. Standing floodwater may be electrically live if it is in contact with any part of the installation. Do not enter flooded rooms if the electrics are still on. Do not touch the consumer unit if it has been submerged. Call your electricity distributor (DNO) to cut the supply at the meter if you cannot safely isolate it yourself.
Can I fix it myself?
If the consumer unit is above the water level and you can reach it safely without walking through water, turn off the main switch. If the consumer unit has been submerged, do not touch it — call the DNO on 105 to cut the supply remotely or at the meter. Once the water has receded and the supply is confirmed off, you can begin drying out the property, but do not restore electrical supply without professional testing.
When should you call an electrician?
Call an electrician as soon as the property is safe to enter. Every circuit that has been affected by flooding must be tested before the supply is restored. This is not optional — energising flooded electrical circuits without testing can cause fires and electric shocks. The electrician will carry out a full EICR.
What will the electrician actually do?
- Assess the extent of water damage to the entire electrical installation
- Allow adequate drying time before testing (typically several days for saturated plaster and voids)
- Carry out insulation resistance testing on every affected circuit
- Replace all sockets, switches, junction boxes, and fittings that were submerged
- Replace the consumer unit if it was submerged, including all MCBs and RCDs
- Issue a full Electrical Installation Condition Report before supply restoration
What will it cost to fix?
£300–£2,000
Flood damage repair varies enormously. A full EICR is £200–£350. Replacing all ground-floor sockets and fittings can cost £500–£1,500+. Consumer unit replacement is £350–£600. Insurance typically covers flood damage.
Find an electricianFrequently asked questions
We’re happy to answer all your questions.
When can I turn the electrics back on after flooding?
Only after a qualified electrician has inspected and tested the installation. This typically cannot happen until the property has dried out sufficiently, which can take days or weeks depending on the extent of flooding.
Do I need to replace all the wiring after a flood?
Not necessarily. Modern PVC-insulated cables can survive brief submersion, but they must be tested. Older rubber-insulated cables and any cables in contaminated floodwater are more likely to need replacing. The electrician will test and advise.
Will my insurance cover the electrical repairs?
Most home insurance policies cover flood damage, including electrical repairs. Document all damage with photos before any work begins and keep all receipts. Your insurer may require an electrician's report.
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