Water Damaged Consumer Unit

[Novice]

Advice very much needed, as I am worried about safety.

We recently had a very bad leak in our bathroom - a pipe under the bath popped off and a whole bath of water gushed through the ceiling, down into the kitchen below.

A lot of water ran straight through the Consumer unit (photo attached) and tripped the board straight away.

Insurance company sent an emergency electrician who said that the electric was not safe to put back on and put up a temporary board. We had to move out of the house and it has been empty for over 6 months whilst the walls have been dried out etc.

Baring in mind that the Consumer Unit has not been used for 6 months and basically stood in a cold house possibly cording away due to it be saturated by hot soapy water (lots of it) - I was very surprised that the company doing the works has had their own electrician inspect it and he deems it safe not to replace it. They have also re-instated the same spot lights that literally had water running through them.

Firstly like to say that the company doing our work are very good - but I'm not sure if they told the electrician they had come to inspect the electrics that the CU had been totally saturated.

Since turning the electrics back on we no longer have electric in our garage - which has never been a problem before.

As I said, I am genuinely worried that when we eventually move back in that the electrics will not be safe.................I would definitely be replacing all the fire alarms.

With so much soapy water running through should the unit be changed?

 

[Bobster]

Have they given you any form of test certificates?

 

[Novice]

They haven't yet - but they said they will.

 

[Pete999]

I see where Rob is going with his question, when you say "they put in a Temp board" what exactly did they do?
What you need is an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
This may be what you are waiting for from your insurance company they obviously haven't said, hence Rob's question.

 

[Novice]

Just under the CU they put a set of sockets with a lead direct to the Electric board (basically not using the CU). They did this so that they could plug the dehumidifiers in.

Sorry for layman's terms!

Common sense to me would be that they wouldn't use a CU or spot lights that have had water running though them. But I am not an expert.

 

[Spoon]

Just under the CU they put a set of sockets with a lead direct to the Electric board (basically not using the CU). They did this so that they could plug the dehumidifiers in.

Sorry for layman's terms!

Common sense to me would be that they wouldn't use a CU or spot lights that have had water running though them. But I am not an expert.

Are you sure?
So they have fitted a set of sockets without having any protection for them.. EG circuit breakers?
Can you post up some pics of new sockets and the route the cable for these sockets take.

 

[Deleted account]

Just under the CU they put a set of sockets with a lead direct to the Electric board (basically not using the CU). They did this so that they could plug the dehumidifiers in.

Sorry for layman's terms!

Common sense to me would be that they wouldn't use a CU or spot lights that have had water running though them. But I am not an expert.

Don’t worry about layman’s terms your making perfect sense.

Agree with spoon I hope the is some kind of protection between the main incoming and the temporary sockets.

As for the wet board and lights.
They can be perfectly fine once everything has dried out, but a full set of testing would need to be carried out to prove this.
That’s where an EICR ( electrical installation condition report) comes in.

 

[davesparks]

I wouldn't be too worried about light fittings once they have dried out and been checked over thoroughly.
I wouldnt re-use the protective devices in the consumer unit though, there's no way of knowing what corrosion has occurred inside them and how their operation may be affected.

 

[Novice]

They have removed the temporary board now, so unfortunately can't take any photos of it.

But I'm not worried about the temp board as it's been removed. I'm more about them not replacing the CU.

We are still not living in the property (as it still doesn't have a working bathroom) but we have switched on some lights last night. Is it possible that our lights would be dimmer if there was a fault somewhere? Our lights do seem dimmer - but we are unsure and are doubting ourselves??

Everything I've read says that if a CU has had contaminated water (soapy) run through it that it should be replaced. It wasn't just a bit of water it was lots. Even if the insurers wont pay for one - because the company dealing with the work says its fine.........do you think it would be worth getting a second opinion and new board - in the interest of safety we would pay for this ourself if it meant we could sleep at night without the fear of having our house burn down!!

 

[Strima]

As davesparks has mentioned they shouldn't be reusing the protective devices as there is no way to tell if they were damaged or not by the water.

In the grande scheme of renovation costs a new board isn't a massive expense.

Also there should be an EICR completed as Pete999 has suggested.

Some good advice here: Flooding Advice | Electrical Safety First - https://www.----------------------------/guidance/safety-around-the-home/flooding-advice/ (electrical advice about 1/2 way down).

 

[Pete999]

They have removed the temporary board now, so unfortunately can't take any photos of it.

But I'm not worried about the temp board as it's been removed. I'm more about them not replacing the CU.

We are still not living in the property (as it still doesn't have a working bathroom) but we have switched on some lights last night. Is it possible that our lights would be dimmer if there was a fault somewhere? Our lights do seem dimmer - but we are unsure and are doubting ourselves??

Everything I've read says that if a CU has had contaminated water (soapy) run through it that it should be replaced. It wasn't just a bit of water it was lots. Even if the insurers wont pay for one - because the company dealing with the work says its fine.........do you think it would be worth getting a second opinion and new board - in the interest of safety we would pay for this ourself if it meant we could sleep at night without the fear of having our house burn down!!

Yes What sort of outfit were the Electricians, I wouldn't switch back on until you have the results of the tests carried out by these Electricians, my experience of Insurance companies is choose the cheapest, once they have assurance that all is OK, from what ever source they are in the clear, ergo "well you told us all was OK".

 

[Devonchris]

Have you considered consulting a loss assessor?

You can include the fees as part of your claim.

This link May help you decide if it's worth it.

Loss Adjusters vs. Loss Assessors - What's the Difference?

Loss adjusters and loss assessors are easily confused. Loss adjusters work for your insurance company, while loss assessors work for you, the policyholder.

www.harrisbalcombe.com

There are others. Try locate one in your area for a free consultation. Good luck.

 

[DPG]

It's brave man who would put his name to re using a box full of MCBs and RCDs that have just had water emptied out of them.

 

[Dustydazzler]

It's brave man who would put his name to re using a box full of MCBs and RCDs that have just had water emptied out of them.

I’m cheap and absolutely hate waste but reusing a water drenched consumer unit is even pushing it too far me me.

I would happily dry out and refuse any lights and accessories but waterlogged mcbs / rcds would be in the bin I’m afraid

 

[littlespark]

Similar thing happened to my neighbours house, although the CU wasn’t directly affected, I recommended changing the protective devices and any other metallic parts(busbar).... insurance co. went for a complete new CU, which was possibly cheaper to buy fully loaded.
I certainly would change any accessories that have had a good rinse like that. Any corrosion on switch contacts and sockets could cause an issue later on even if it tests fine just now.

An EICR would only check the fixed wiring anyway. Anything electronic such as smokies would be disconnected for the test.