Water and electricity create two problems at once. One is safety, because wet wiring and appliances can shock people. The other is damage, because power applied to a wet device can finish it off.
This guide covers when to unplug, when to leave things alone and what to do with devices that got wet. If water is near outlets or the panel, safety comes first.
Safety first
Do not stand in water to reach a switch or a panel. If water is rising around outlets or the panel, stay out and call the utility or an electrician.
- Turn off power only if you can reach the panel while dry.
- Do not touch a plugged-in device that is sitting in water.
- Keep children and pets away from wet rooms.
- Use battery lighting instead of lamps.
- Do not use extension cords through wet areas.
- Call 911 if there is a fire, sparking or a shock.
What to do with a wet device
Disconnect power
Unplug it, remove the battery if it comes out and do not press power.
Wipe the outside
Dry the surface with a clean cloth and shake out loose water gently.
Let it dry
Place it in a dry, ventilated spot for a day or more. Do not use heat.
Have it checked
Ask a repair shop to inspect before you power it on.
Rice does not reliably dry a device. Time, airflow and a technician with proper tools do more.
Phones, laptops and tablets
Turn the device off at once and do not try to charge it. Remove the case, the SIM tray and the battery if possible. Back up what you can later, once the device has been inspected.
Appliances and wiring
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator or freezer | Unplug it if water reached the motor area and have it inspected. |
| Washer and dryer | Disconnect and have a technician check them after drying. |
| Outlets and switches | Do not use wet ones. An electrician should inspect before power returns. |
| Breaker panel | If water reached the panel, call the utility and an electrician. |
| TVs and computers | Unplug, dry and have them checked before powering on. |
Salvage decisions depend on how long the item was wet and how dirty the water was.
Power before drying
Returning power to a wet house can cause damage. Wiring, outlets and devices need to be dried and tested first. After a flood, wiring may need replacement.
Hillsborough County Development Services says flood-damaged electrical systems must be inspected before power is restored. Ask the county what applies to your address, and have a licensed electrician do the work.
How structure drying relates
Walls that hold moisture can leave outlets and wiring exposed to dampness for days. That is one reason we dry the structure with meters. See structural drying for how it works.
If water came from a flood, read about flood damage restoration. When a burst pipe caused the problem, burst pipe water damage describes the cleanup.
We do not do electrical repair
We remove water and dry the structure. Electrical inspection and repair need a licensed electrician and, after floods, a county inspection.
Data and backups
A wet computer or phone may still hold valuable data on its drive or memory. Do not power it on to check. A repair shop can often recover files from a drive that is dried and inspected correctly.
After the emergency passes, set up cloud or external backups so a future water event does not threaten your photos and records as well.
Keep receipts and model numbers for damaged electronics, since insurers often ask for them. Photograph labels and serial numbers before you discard or send anything for repair.
If the device is plugged in, only unplug it after the power to that area has been shut off at the breaker and the area is safe to enter. Never touch electronics while standing in water.
According to the published ANSI/IICRC S500 water damage standard, the speed and method of drying decide how much of a structure can be saved, which is why this guide stresses acting early.
Local note on inspections
Hillsborough County Development Services requires flood-damaged electrical work to be inspected before power is restored. The rule applies to homes in Valrico and nearby areas like Lithia and Durant. Ask the county which inspection fits your address before an electrician turns the power back on.
Electronics questions Valrico homeowners ask
Should I put a wet phone in rice?
Rice does not reliably dry a device. Power it off, wipe it, let it air dry and ask a repair shop to inspect it.
Can I turn the power back on after the house dries?
Only after an electrician inspects the system. After floods, the county requires inspection of flood-damaged electrical work before power is restored.
Is it safe to unplug something sitting in water?
Not if you have to stand in the water or touch a wet cord. Cut power at the panel only if you can reach it dry. Otherwise call the utility.
Do wet appliances have to be replaced?
Not always. A technician can tell you after the unit dries. Flood water and long soaking make replacement more likely.
Do you repair electrical systems?
No. We dry the structure and document the loss. A licensed electrician repairs wiring and panels.