What to do after a flood

A Litt • 17 February 2020

Electrical safety after a flood

If you have been affected by flooding, once the water has subsided it is understandable that you will want to go straight back into your home and try to get things back to normal.
However, there could be damage to the electrics in your property, so before you do anything, follow our advice.

DO

  • Make sure the property is safe before you enter
  • Try to avoid direct contact with any water which remains. It may be contaminated
  • Have a torch at hand when entering the property
  • Switch off the electricity supply at the fuse box, if it is safe to do so. If there is evidence of water inside the fuse box or if there are signs of arcing or overheating, seek professional advice
  • Unplug damaged electrical appliances and move all portable ones away from the area affected by flooding
  • Arrange for other services, such as gas, to be switched off. Electricity and gas supplies should not be turned back on until you have had professional advice that it is safe to do so

Don’t

  • Use candles to guide you when entering the property
  •  Use any mains powered electrical appliances in areas affected by flooding until advised by a registered electrician that it is safe to do so
  • Go near any exposed wiring. It may still be live
  • Start to clean up or carry out repairs until you are sure it is safe to do so


 Cleaning up and making repairs 

  • Contact your insurance company, and the landlord if applicable, for advice and to get approval to carry out any repairs. 
  • Take photos of the damage and keep records
  • Seek professional advice about the restoration of your property and hire appropriate and qualified professionals to undertake the repair work
  • Use a registered electrician to assess the condition and damage to electrical wiring, equipment, and appliances that have been affected by the flood
Struggling to make electrical repairs?

786 Electricals can help you in any electrical situation. We cover all domestic and commercial electrical work and no job is too small. 
If you’re needing any assistance or free advice, call us on 0116 238 9915 or 07584 321 989, if you need to email us, you can contact us - info@786electricals.co.uk


Electrical Safety Advice

  • Do not attempt any electrical repairs or connection of temporary supplies yourself – always use a registered electrician
  • Arrange for periodic inspection and test to be carried out on the property. The registered electrician will issue you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which will identify the condition of the wiring and equipment in need of repair
  • All of the portable appliances affected by the flood will need to be tested to make sure that they are safe for continued use, as well as fixed equipment such as electric cookers.
  • If the water damage to electrics is relatively minor and caused by clean water, i.e. a burst water pipe or tank, then it is likely that the registered electrician will just need to dry out cables and replace any accessories affected by the water (sockets, switches, plugs, etc.)
  • If there is major flood damage to the electrics caused by clean or contaminated water, then it is likely that parts of the electrical installation will need to be rewired
  • When rewiring is necessary, ask the registered electrician about the possibility of raising the height of the newly installed electrical equipment, including raising the fuse box and sockets to above any future expected flood level
Fire and Rescue Assistance

The job of the Fire and Rescue Services is primarily to save lives, but they will assist in other ways in severe cases involving the evacuation process and help to limit the amount of damage to property wherever possible. If in any doubt, call the fire service for advice.

Useful Contact Numbers
Floodline: 0845 988 1188 (For England, Scotland & Wales)

For flood Information from local UK regions:
England: 0845 988 1188

www.environment-agency.gov.uk 
Scotland: 0845 988 1188

www.sepa.org.uk/flooding 
Wales: 08708 506 506
https://naturalresources.wales

Northern Ireland: 028 9054 0540
www.doeni.gov.uk

Fire Safety: www.facebook.com/firekills 

The Environment Agency emergency hotline:
0800 80 70 60

The National Flood Forum: 012 9940 3055
https://nationalfloodforum.org.uk

The Association of British Insurers: 020 7600 3333
www.abi.org.uk 



Remember, 786 Electricals covers Leicester & Leicestershire. We are leading experts in the Electrical industry which is backed by our accreditations.

If you need any assistance or free advice please contact us on 0116 238 9915 or 07584 321 989, if you need to email us, you can contact us - info@786Electricals.co.uk

If you have had any doubt about the condition of your electrical installation, especially if you have just had a flood or water damage to your property. We will always recommend having an Electrical Inspection & Testing report done. 



by A Litt 28 June 2025
NAPIT-certified emergency electricians (ID:14212) serving Leicester & Leicestershire 24/7. Same-hour response for power cuts, sparks & faults. Call Adam direct: 07584 321 989.
by A Litt 24 June 2025
Electrical Safety Fact Sheet for Homeowners
Consumer unit replacement Leicester and Leicestershire 786 Electricals
by A Litt 24 June 2025
✅ Consumer Unit Replacement in Leicester & Leicestershire
786 Electricals: Electrician in Loughborough Rewiring EICR's Fuse Box Upgrades
22 June 2025
Local electricians quietly serving Loughborough. We’d be honoured to assist with your electrical needs. No job too small.
NAPIT Electrician Leicester
by A Litt 19 June 2025
"Landlords: Discover when you need a fire risk assessment under BS5839 Part 6. Learn smoke & heat alarm rules for HMOs and rentals. Stay compliant & protect tenants.
The Ultimate Landlord’s Guide to EICR Certificates: Ensuring Electrical Safety & Compliance
by A Litt 14 June 2025
Electrical Safety Certificates for Rental Properties: The EICR Explained
by A Litt 12 June 2025
Electrician in Leicester and Leicestershire been around for over a decade
by A Litt 5 June 2025
# **Electrical Emergencies in Leicester? Call 786 Electricals for Fast, Reliable Service!** When an electrical emergency strikes, you need a trusted electrician you can rely on—fast. At **786 Electricals**, we provide **24/7 emergency electrical services** across **Leicester and Leicestershire**, ensuring your home or business stays safe and powered up when you need it most. ## **Common Electrical Emergencies We Handle** ✅ **Power Outages** – Sudden loss of power? We diagnose and fix the issue quickly. ✅ **Sparkling or Faulty Sockets** – Dangerous sparks or burning smells? Don’t wait—call us immediately! ✅ **Tripping Circuit Breakers** – Frequent tripping could indicate a serious fault. ✅ **Burning Smells from Wiring** – A major fire hazard—turn off power and call us ASAP. ✅ **Flood-Damaged Electrics** – Water and electricity don’t mix! We make your system safe. ✅ **Faulty Fuse Boxes** – Old or damaged consumer units need urgent attention. ## **Why Choose 786 Electricals for Emergency Call-Outs?** 🔌 **24/7 Availability** – Day or night, we’re here when you need us. 🔌 **Fully Qualified & Insured** – All work is carried out by certified electricians. 🔌 **Fast Response Times** – We prioritise emergencies to keep you safe. 🔌 **Competitive Pricing** – No hidden charges—just honest, fair pricing. 🔌 **Local & Trusted** – Serving Leicester & Leicestershire with over 14 years of experience. ## **Don’t Risk DIY—Call the Professionals!** Electrical emergencies can be dangerous. Attempting DIY fixes or ignoring warning signs could lead to **fires, electrocution, or further damage**. Instead of taking risks, **call 786 Electricals for immediate assistance**. 📞 **Contact Us Now:** 07584321989 🌐 **Visit Us:** www.786electricals.co.uk https://www.786electricals.co.uk ### **Need an Emergency Electrician in Leicester? We’re Just a Call Away!** Whether it’s midnight or a weekend, our team is ready to help. 🔧 **Your Safety Is Our Priority!** 🔧
by A Litt 23 March 2023
An Electricians View From Leicester: Basic Electrical Safety
heater icon
by A Litt 18 July 2021
Decades Of Experience
Show More