Severe storms or lightning can cause several forms of electrical damage in Texas. After a storm passes, trying to figure out where to start with addressing damage can feel overwhelming. When dealing with suspected or visible electrical damage, these are several important steps to take.
Stay Away From Damaged or Downed Power Lines
While looking for damage outdoors, be vigilant for power lines that are down or appear damaged. For example, if there is a utility pole that is leaning, stay far away from it. Always keep a distance of at least 30 feet from power lines that are down. If trees or other objects are touching a power line that is down or damaged, stay 30 feet away from those objects. Shuffle with both feet on the ground to move away from power lines or dangerous objects.
One significant danger with power lines is arcing. The higher overhead lines that are on utility poles are not covered with insulating material like the lines that hang lower and connect to homes. A person does not have to directly touch the line to be seriously injured or killed. For example, a person standing several feet from a 500-volt line can still be electrocuted if a power arc forms in the air between the person and the line.
If a power line is on the ground, call 911. Call the electric company to report a damaged power line, utility pole or generator if the line is not down.
Avoid Flooded Areas
A good rule to follow is to assume that any flooded area indoors or outdoors may have an electric current going through it. Outdoors, there may be damage to electrical components or wires. Some people may not see these dangers if they are submerged in enough water. There are just as many potential dangers indoors. For example, if a basement is flooded, there may still be fans or other devices plugged in under the water.
Submerged outlets can be dangerous even if nothing is connected to them. Also, service panels, switches and other parts of electrical systems can sustain damage from floodwaters. This is especially true in areas along coastlines since saltwater is corrosive. However, floodwater anywhere can cause significant damage.
Follow Electrical Safety Precautions if Power Remains Out
During severe storms, it is common for the power to go out and stay out for hours or even days. Two important safety precautions to prevent injuries or further electrical damage are to keep appliances unplugged if possible and to use generators correctly.
Appliance Safety
With appliances, it is better to disconnect their power cords before storms hit. However, this is not always possible if nobody is in the home or building. If the ground is dry under the appliance and the area around it, unplug it while the power is out. Do this for any electronics or appliances that are safe to unplug.
When the power is restored, it can cause an electrical surge. That sudden surge of electricity can damage electronics and appliances that are still connected to outlets. In some cases, it can also damage the cords of devices enough to cause electrical fires. Wet appliance safety is covered more in an upcoming section.
Generator Safety
Generator safety is important to prevent more electric damage or injuries. Some people buy backup generators to use when the power stays out for a while. These can be especially important for people who have medical equipment that requires electricity or businesses that have continuous refrigeration needs. Always keep generators dry, and carefully follow the instructions for using them. When refueling a generator, turn it off to let the engine cool before pouring in more fuel.
The generator should also be the correct size and type for its purpose. Do not plug it into a wall outlet. This can cause backfeed that has the potential to electrocute neighbors and even utility workers. The ideal solution is to have a professional electrician install a generator before severe storms arrive. Professionals can also determine the right type and size for each person’s needs.
Look for Signs of Lightning Damage
In addition to creating outdoor destruction, lightning has the potential to damage the whole electrical system in a home. The electrical current in a house is about 15 amps and 120 volts. In contrast, a lightning strike is about 30,000 amps and 300 million volts. When lightning strikes, it can also heat the air around it as high as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about five times hotter than the sun’s surface. This extreme blast of heat can cause a roof to get hot enough to catch fire.
Even if a major fire does not occur from a direct strike, there are signs of it. Depending on the type of structure, there may be a charred area, burn marks or damaged shingles where lightning strikes. Brick chimneys or buildings may have broken or falling bricks in the spot where the lightning struck. If lightning directly strikes a home or business, there may also be a smell of melting plastic indoors. Additionally, people inside may notice a humming sound.
The blast of electric energy from lightning can cause dangerous power surges in power lines or in buildings. When there is a power surge from a lightning strike on a home or business, one sign may be smoke or burn marks near an electrical panel. An especially dangerous problem that can come from power surges is hot spots in the wiring. Since the wiring is covered, these spots are not visible. Surges can loosen connections in the wiring, and those weakened areas can become hot enough to cause electrical fires. Fortunately, professional electricians can detect them and fix wiring issues.
Check for Water Damage on Electric Appliances or Devices
Do not try to unplug electronics that are wet or were in standing water if they are still connected to an outlet. Any electric-powered device, HVAC component or appliance should not be used if it got wet during the storm. One of the most dangerous mistakes people make after severe storms is trying to use appliances after they let them dry. In a worst-case scenario, an appliance or electric device can cause electrocution when a person connects it to an outlet. It can also cause the device to stop working.
Appliances, HVAC components and electronic devices that got wet or were submerged in floodwater should be professionally inspected before they are used. It may be necessary to replace some items that cannot be professionally reconditioned after sustaining water damage.
Take Photos of Damage
When it is safe to do so, take photos of any signs of electrical damage for the insurance company. For example, if there are falling bricks outside and burn marks near the electrical panel indoors, take clear photos of them. Standard business insurance and homeowners insurance policies cover several forms of damage and fires from lightning strikes. Also, they may cover some damages that result from power surges. Be sure to also list any items that are damaged or are suspected of damage and require professional inspection. An insurance agent can provide instructions on how to report these and what steps to follow.
Call a Professional for Electric Repair Services
Do not try to fix any indoor or outdoor electrical equipment. Let professionals deal with outdoor damage, indoor damage, inspections and appliances or electronic devices that may be damaged.
What Power Companies Handle
Most components power companies fix or are responsible for are outdoors. These are some examples of issues to report to the local power company:
- Damaged utility poles
- Broken outdoor meter
- Damaged outdoor connections
- Sparking power lines or generators
- Damaged outdoor service wires
What Electricians Handle
For any electrical damage inside a home or business, call an electrician. Professional electricians can safely complete electric troubleshooting to find problems and fix them. They look for hot spots and other dangers that home residents or building occupants may not otherwise find. Call an electrician if there was flooding in the home or building, there was a lightning strike or there is suspected damage from a power surge after an outage. If there are any other signs of indoor electrical damage due to broken windows or anything else, call an electrician. These are just a few examples of tasks electricians often handle when there is electrical damage from a storm:
- Electric panel repair
- Rewiring
- Fixing connections
- Inspecting fixtures, switches and outlets
- Checking for hot spots and fire hazards
- Megger testing
Megger testing assesses the condition of the electrical system’s insulation and is a common procedure after a lightning strike. For appliance and HVAC inspections or repairs, contact appliance repair technicians and HVAC technicians.
Think About Electrical Safety Improvements
When calling an electrician, it is also a good idea to consider upgrades. Many people realize the importance of adding safety features after a severe storm. These are a few common examples of safety upgrades to consider after storm-related damage.
Lightning Protection System
Installing a lightning rod outdoors may help prevent damage from lightning strikes. However, this is something a professional should do since proper installation is critical. In addition to a lightning rod, a lightning protection system should include professional surge protectors for incoming power and vulnerable appliances.
Surge Protectors
Whole-home surge protectors and commercial surge protectors can be valuable additions to homes or businesses that lack them. These devices can help protect electrical systems from dangerous power surges. They differ from point-of-use surge protectors, which are the power strips people are familiar with that connect to wall outlets. Point-of-use units can wear out and do not provide ample protection from lightning strikes.
Generator
Backup generators are helpful for businesses and some homes. If there are critical needs for continuous electricity, generators can prevent serious problems. For example, a person who has dialysis equipment at home should have an adequate generator. Businesses can benefit from generators to prevent interruptions that may be costly. Professionals can recommend the right size and type of generator and can install them properly.
Old Wires and Fuse Boxes
Old aluminum wiring that is found in many homes is a fire hazard. It expands more and breaks easier than copper. Rewiring an hold home is a job that an electrician can handle. Also, old fuse boxes should be updated with modern circuit breakers. They can handle larger electrical loads and are more convenient.
Electrical Damage Repair in Houston and Pasadena
For any post-storm electrical inspections or repairs, Right Touch Electrical is here for you. We work with circuit breakers and fuse boxes. Also, we provide electric troubleshooting to find and fix issues after severe storms. Our company offers lightning repair services. We can also help with updates like panel replacement, rewiring, adding outlets, grounding and more. To learn more about how we can help you make your home safer after electric damage, please contact us.
