Water and electricity: the first rule
Edmonton gets its share of basement flooding, from heavy summer storms and overland water to burst pipes in a deep freeze and failed sump pumps. When water gets in, the electrical system is often the most dangerous thing in the room.
Water conducts electricity. If it reaches receptacles, cords, a furnace or the panel, the water itself can become energized. You cannot tell by looking.
Never step into standing water in a basement if the power may be on, and never go near the panel through water. Get everyone out of that area and call for help.
What to do first
Your safety comes before saving belongings. Work through this in order:
- If water is near receptacles, cords, the furnace or the panel, stay out of the area. Call your electricity distributor (EPCOR in most of Edmonton) and ask them to disconnect power to the home.
- If you can reach the panel while standing on a dry floor, with dry hands and no water nearby, you can switch off the main breaker. If there is any doubt, do not.
- If you smell gas, leave the home and call your gas utility's emergency line from outside.
- Call a licensed electrician to assess the damage before anyone turns the power back on.
- Take photos and video of the damage for your insurer before cleanup starts, as long as you can do it safely.
Do not use pumps, wet-vacs or fans plugged into basement receptacles until an electrician has said the circuits are safe. If you need to pump water, use equipment powered from a safe source, and keep portable generators outdoors. See power outage safety.
What has to be replaced
It is tempting to let things dry out and switch them back on. For most electrical equipment, that is not safe. Flood water leaves behind silt, salts and contaminants that cause corrosion and insulation breakdown long after the surface looks dry.
| Item | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Receptacles, switches, GFCIs, AFCIs | Replace | Internal parts corrode and may fail or overheat later |
| Breakers and fuses that were wet | Replace | Trip mechanisms can be damaged so they do not protect |
| Panel that was submerged | Often replace | Bus and components can corrode; an electrician decides |
| Cable that was submerged | Often replace | Water can wick inside the jacket, especially at the ends |
| Furnace, water heater, appliances | Have serviced or replaced | Controls and motors may be damaged |
| Smoke and CO alarms that got wet | Replace | Sensors may no longer work |
A licensed electrician will decide what can stay and what must go based on how high the water got and for how long. Equipment manufacturers and safety organizations generally advise replacing flood-damaged electrical equipment rather than reconditioning it.
Getting the power back on
After a flood, restoring power is not always as simple as flipping the main back on. If the distributor disconnected your service, or if major equipment like the panel was damaged, the work may need a permit and an inspection before power is restored. Your electrician can tell you what applies in your case.
Typical steps look like this:
- The electrician isolates damaged circuits and checks the service and panel.
- Wet devices, breakers and damaged cable are replaced. Undamaged upstairs circuits may be restored first, if it is safe.
- Any required permits and inspections are completed.
- Power is restored and every GFCI, AFCI and alarm is tested.
If the panel itself has to be replaced, see our panel replacement service. Many homeowners also use the rebuild to move the panel or raise receptacles, where the code allows, as part of their basement renovation.
Lowering the risk next time
- Put the sump pump on a dedicated receptacle so another appliance cannot trip it, and know which breaker serves it.
- Add a battery backup pump and a high-water alarm. Storms often knock out power exactly when you need the pump.
- Test the sump pump each spring and before big rain events.
- Keep cords, power bars and electronics off basement floors.
- Consider a standby generator with a proper transfer switch if your home depends on its sump pump.
If your basement has flooded before, ask your electrician whether the panel, furnace circuit and sump pump receptacle could sit higher or be better protected as part of repairs. Small changes during a rebuild can make the next event far less disruptive.
Coverage for sewer backup and overland flooding varies a lot between policies. It is worth checking before you need it.
Common questions
The water was only a few centimetres deep. Do I still need an electrician?
If water touched any receptacles, cords, the furnace, the panel or cables, yes. Even shallow water can damage devices that sit low on the wall, and contaminants keep working after it dries.
Can I dry out my receptacles and breakers with a fan?
No. Wet devices and breakers should be replaced. Drying does not remove the silt and corrosion that can make them fail later.
Who do I call to shut off power from outside?
Your electricity distributor. In most of Edmonton that is EPCOR. Their emergency line is on your bill and their website.
Will my insurer pay for electrical repairs after a flood?
It depends on your policy and the type of water damage. Document everything with photos and keep the electrician's written report.
Codes and permit rules change and every building is different. For work on your system, talk to a licensed electrician and your local permit authority.