What Should You Do If You Discover Water Leaking From Your Lights?

8/17/2018 (Permalink)

Water leaking from roofs can cause flooding in your home from a storm

When you come home, the last thing you want to see when you flick on the lights is water coming in through the ceiling and dripping from the light fixtures. Not only can an overhead flooding situation like this cause severe ceiling damage, water in a light could be a sign of potentially dangerous electrical damage.

Rule Out Emergency Services

Safety is always the No. 1 priority. Since water is a very efficient conductor of electricity, an overhead flooding situation that involves sparks or wet electrical equipment should be considered an emergency. Contact local emergency services and leave the residence immediately if you suspect any danger.

Protect Your Home

If it's not an emergency situation, complete the following steps to protect your home:

• Secure the flow of water at the source by closing the valves that supply water to the leaking appliance. If you’re not sure which valve to close, check for a main water valve that can shut off water to the entire home.

• If you notice water in a light or other electrical system, shut off the electrical power by flipping the main power switch to the circuit breaker. Remember, if you discover that the circuit breaker is wet or submerged, or if you are unsure, do not proceed. Instead, call emergency services.

• Once you or emergency personnel have secured both the water leak and electrical power, contact a qualified cleanup service that specializes in water damage and home restorations to prevent further harm from occurring.

Water and electricity don’t mix well. It is especially important to take precautions when attempting to manage a situation involving electricity and ceiling damage due to water intrusion. Nobody in Jamestown, NY, wants to find water in a light when they come home. Ensuring that you are preventing the original problem from getting worse is the best thing you can do before contacting restoration professionals.

For more on Jamestown click here.