Hurricane damage to electrical systems

[b-boy]

My Sister is in Ft Myers. Her house was flooded during hurricane Ian. The water reached the 4ft level inside the house.

She's a long way from being able to get anyone into the house to do any work. My Dad is down there helping her clear out the house. I'm probably going to go down and help take out the drywall and open up the walls so they'll dry out.

Since the water reached 4 ft inside the house, all the electrical outlets were submerged in salt water for about 24 hours. I assume all the outlets will need to be replaced.

What about the wiring?

 

[mike93lx]

I'd be tearing it all out. The ends will be all corroded and salt water would have gotten inside the romex jacket

 

[b-boy]

Thanks - That's pretty much what I thought.

 

[mike93lx]

Curious what the insurance company agrees to

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The NM has paper in it that will **** water up like a sponge. gonna have to gut all the wiring or cut above the water absorption level and do splices inside junction boxes

 

[mike93lx]

The NM has paper in it that will **** water up like a sponge. gonna have to gut all the wiring or cut above the water absorption level and do splices inside junction boxes

Mentioning this for the OP, not you...

All junctions have to remain accessible. Nothing can be buried in a wall

 

[acer66]

Mentioning this for the OP, not you...

All junctions have to remain accessible. Nothing can be buried in a wall

What about the ‘In wall splices’?

 

[b-boy]

Curious what the insurance company agrees to

Too early to tell. She's not even sure what's covered yet. There's some question as to whether or not she's even covered for the damage.

 

[mike93lx]

What about the ‘In wall splices’?

I guess I was referring to real junction boxes. I don't think I would be using those inline splices unless I had no option.

 

[b-boy]

My Dad is currently at the house. He noticed that the water level inside the house is quite a bit higher than it is outside.

I can't figure out how that would happen. Maybe water came up through the sinks/toilets under pressure? is that possible.

One of her neighbors actually broke her sliding glass door so that the water would drain out of the house.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

My Dad is currently at the house. He noticed that the water level inside the house is quite a bit higher than it is outside.

I can't figure out how that would happen. Maybe water came up through the sinks/toilets under pressure? is that possible.

One of her neighbors actually broke her sliding glass door so that the water would drain out of the house.

yes very possible... could be nasty sewage in the house.... good reason to install an anti-backflow valve on the sewer line

 

[b-boy]

yes very possible... could be nasty sewage in the house.... good reason to install an anti-backflow valve on the sewer line

Yes.

I have one on my house for this exact reason.

It's saved me a few times.

 

[Norcal]

If the water reached the electric panel, trash it also, as been said already any NM cable that was submerged in salt water is not salvageable except as scrap metal.

 

[nadogail]

What about the ‘In wall splices’?

All splices have to be accessible .

 

[jeepxj]

All splices have to be accessible .

curious on these:

https://rexel-cdn.com/products/tyco-electronics-cpgi11163772-cut-sheet.pdf?i=98A6A3A0-E2C4-4A01-A196-8E3FDBD6AA6A

whats the ruling on them?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

All splices have to be accessible .

except for the above listed splice connectors

 

[acer66]

All splices have to be accessible .

They make these that can be buried.

Tyco Electronics Romex Splice Kit 2 Wire, 1/Clam A22899-000 - The Home Depot

Experience fast and reliable way of splicing or tapping metallic cables with this Romex Splice Kit from Tyco Electronics.

www.homedepot.com

Edit: jeepxj beat me to it.

 

[sparky 1971]

No effin' way I'd use the in wall splices. I'd trust buried wire nuts before even considering those things.

And, before anyone jumps me about code, I know wire nut splices have to be in an accessible box. Just sayin, the in wall splice kits look like a good way for a service man to make a ton of money as well as a drywall patcher somewhere down the road.

 

[Norcal]

No effin' way I'd use the in wall splices. I'd trust buried wire nuts before even considering those things.

And, before anyone jumps me about code, I know wire nut splices have to be in an accessible box. Just sayin, the in wall splice kits look like a good way for a service man to make a ton of money as well as a drywall patcher somewhere down the road.

I share your reluctance for those.

 

[Jim greengo]

My Sister is in Ft Myers. Her house was flooded during hurricane Ian. The water reached the 4ft level inside the house.

She's a long way from being able to get anyone into the house to do any work. My Dad is down there helping her clear out the house. I'm probably going to go down and help take out the drywall and open up the walls so they'll dry out.

Since the water reached 4 ft inside the house, all the electrical outlets were submerged in salt water for about 24 hours. I assume all the outlets will need to be replaced.

What about the wiring?

I'd say any wiring that was exposed to salt water should be replaced.

 

[acer66]

No effin' way I'd use the in wall splices. I'd trust buried wire nuts before even considering those things.

Mind sharing what that is that based on?

 

[jeepxj]

No effin' way I'd use the in wall splices. I'd trust buried wire nuts before even considering those things.

And, before anyone jumps me about code, I know wire nut splices have to be in an accessible box. Just sayin, the in wall splice kits look like a good way for a service man to make a ton of money as well as a drywall patcher somewhere down the road.

what about factory splices in romex?

 

[mike93lx]

what about factory splices in romex?

Factory splices? What are these shenanigans that you speak of?

These in wall splices look like t-taps to me...no thanks, I'll put in two junction boxes if there isn't length available to make up the loss

 

[sparky 1971]

Mind sharing what that is that based on?

Personal preference.

And the fact that I held a demo model in my hands and saw that all that makes the connection are a couple of little tabs that pierce the wire insulation.

 

[sparky 1971]

what about factory splices in romex?

What about them?

 

[jeepxj]

Factory splices? What are these shenanigans that you speak of?

These in wall splices look like t-taps to me...no thanks, I'll put in two junction boxes if there isn't length available to make up the loss

 

[jeepxj]

What about them?

are those no go for you as well?

 

[mike93lx]

Never encountered them. Had no idea it was a thing

 

[sparky 1971]

are those no go for you as well?

I've yet to knowingly run across one. If I knew a factory splice was there I would definitely try to not use the spliced part of the wire. However, I have probably installed hundreds of factory splices and didn't know it.

Factory splices in romex and those crappy in wall splice repair kits are two different things so I'm having a hard time seeing your point.

 

[jeepxj]

I've yet to knowingly run across one. If I knew a factory splice was there I would definitely try to not use the spliced part of the wire. However, I have probably installed hundreds of factory splices and didn't know it.

Factory splices in romex and those crappy in wall splice repair kits are two different things so I'm having a hard time seeing your point.

you were hinting at not liking any splices. i'm being a bit cheeky as a welded factory splice is probably less resistance than the wire itself.

i do agree i wouldn't trust those certified in wall splices for anything more than a detached garage.

 

[sparky 1971]

you were hinting at not liking any splices. i'm being a bit cheeky as a welded factory splice is probably less resistance than the wire itself.

i do agree i wouldn't trust those certified in wall splices for anything more than a detached garage.

The only thing I hinted at was that I won't use one of those repair kits. I splice wires all of the time...with wire nuts. The things in question aren't really any different than the mobile home devices where the device and box are one piece.

And if the factory wire splices you posted are welded, I have no problem with them. I have honestly never seen, heard, or even thought of one. It does make sense, even the manufacturers have to run short on wire once in a while.

 

[jeepxj]

The only thing I hinted at was that I won't use one of those repair kits. I splice wires all of the time...with wire nuts. The things in question aren't really any different than the mobile home devices where the device and box are one piece.

And if the factory wire splices you posted are welded, I have no problem with them. I have honestly never seen, heard, or even thought of one. It does make sense, even the manufacturers have to run short on wire once in a while.

i just assumed the factory welded them up to keep the line going. but i digress.

 

[sparky 1971]

i just assumed the factory welded them up to keep the line going. but i digress.

I'm sure you're right. They have to keep the line going, and there's no sense in tossing a 237' roll of romex because the black wire came up 13' short. I don't even know how romex is made, nor do I care. I am assuming that there is are spools of black, white, are bare fed into a machine that installs the jacket and spits the finished product out the other end.

And, as far as the factory splices go, I have never seen one in THHN style wire, and I've had miles of that run through my fat hands and would have felt it. I am going to guess those pieces of wire are left for the romex where the splice is concealed.

 

[jeepxj]

I'm sure you're right. They have to keep the line going, and there's no sense in tossing a 237' roll of romex because the black wire came up 13' short. I don't even know how romex is made, nor do I care. I am assuming that there is are spools of black, white, are bare fed into a machine that installs the jacket and spits the finished product out the other end.

And, as far as the factory splices go, I have never seen one in THHN style wire, and I've had miles of that run through my fat hands and would have felt it. I am going to guess those pieces of wire are left for the romex where the splice is concealed.

i'm guessing the THHN you've run is stranded? wonder if thats why no factory splices vs the solid stuff in romex being more readily welded. also with single conductor line things are probably more straight forward.

brb requesting tour of southwire.

 

[yeldogt]

You do need to replace anything that got wet ---- also taking out the drywall to a point above the water line is important and should be done ASAP.

Flowing water will fill a cavity higher than the surrounding areas -- the pressure pushing it in is greater than what is allowing it to flow out.

Did she have a flood policy ?

 

[weadjust]

Too early to tell. She's not even sure what's covered yet. There's some question as to whether or not she's even covered for the damage.

Either she bought flood insurance or she didn't. Flood insurance will cover surface/surge water damage from the high water line down and homeowners insurance will cover wind damage with resulting water damage from the high water line up.

One problem that usually comes up. The kitchen base cabinets are damaged and covered by the flood insurance but the upper cabinets may not be damaged. The flood insurance will not pay to replace the undamaged upper cabinets.

 

[mike93lx]

One problem that usually comes up. The kitchen base cabinets are damaged and covered by the flood insurance but the upper cabinets may not be damaged. The flood insurance will not pay to replace the undamaged upper cabinets.

Two tone is all the rage today

 

[dcg9381]

Either she bought flood insurance or she didn't. Flood insurance will cover surface/surge water damage from the high water line down and homeowners insurance will cover wind damage with resulting water damage from the high water line up.

Per news yesterday 18% of people "inland" have flood insurance in FL.
About 50% have flood insurance if they are on the coast.

6 insurers in FL have already gone "defunct" in 2021-2022 - the blame was exceptionally high contractor fraud in FL and associated litigation costs. I work in an industry parallel to insurance, can tell you that FL has massive amounts of scam/fraud in that space.

 

[b-boy]

Here's a cool story - My Dad was working on the house Tuesday. Some buses pulled up from Florida Gulf Coast University. A bunch of college students climbed out and proceeded to go house to house and help everyone empty their houses of storm debris.

It took them about 1 hour to clean out my sister's house. It would have take her a week. They refused to take any money, and said they'd be back to help out in a few more days.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Here's a cool story - My Dad was working on the house Tuesday. Some buses pulled up from Florida Gulf Coast University. A bunch of college students climbed out and proceeded to go house to house and help everyone empty their houses of storm debris.

It took them about 1 hour to clean out my sister's house. It would have take her a week. They refused to take any money, and said they'd be back to help out in a few more days.

wow thats awesome!!!