Families and businesses have experienced some incredibly difficult times in the last six weeks or so, with horrendous rainfall causing devastating floods throughout the country. In the face of these tough circumstances the sense of community spirit, certainly locally, deserves great praise. Indeed a number of people have been able to return to their domestic and commercial properties to try to get back to normal, with the help of neighbours, the emergency services and sometimes complete strangers.
But to ensure ordinary life can resume as swiftly and safely as possible, it’s also important to consider the less visible after-effects of flooding. Here are some top tips from Ti Installations’ team of Huddersfield electrical engineers:
- Ensure any plug socket that has been in contact with the flood waters, is professionally tested for rusting/damage. Some sockets may be fine, others might require simple fixes and there will be those that need to be completely replaced.
- If the water has risen to the height of the fuseboard, this also requires inspection by a City & Guild trained electrician. This is certainly not a time for DIY!
- Fixed wire testing is a quick and relatively affordable way to ensure the safe supply of power throughout a property, and is particularly important for homes or commercial premises that have experienced water ingress.
- Be wary of electrical appliances that are operating as normal, despite having become wet. They may seem to work fine if they have dried out but it is impossible to know the damage that has taken place inside. Before using appliances, they should be PAT tested. This usually costs around £50-70 for up to 20 items.
Commenting on the advice, joint managing director Kris Johnson said: “This all sounds fairly straightforward. However, following a destructive incident such as a flood, attention is often directed to our most visibly damaged possessions, such as furniture and carpets. This is completely understandable, but I am urging everyone to also think about any risks that may still be lurking a little more out of sight.
“We are of course well equipped to help domestic and commercial customers with the necessary checks, but whichever electrician you choose to use, we are most importantly urging people to think ‘electricity safe’.”
If you need some electrical advice or support following the floods, and require the services of Ti Electrical (part of the Ti Installations brand of companies), please contact us on 01484 818180 or email info@ti-installationltd.co.uk.
Our fees are £150 + VAT for fixed wire testing (up to 10 circuits) and £50 + VAT for PAT testing (up to 20 appliances). Should both services be required, our current special offer price is £175 + VAT in total.
