How much water can safely be in your electrical systemElectrical Service Conduits Separating?  During the housing boom of the 2000s, many contractors didn't take the time to compact the dirt around newly built homes.  Now, underground electrical services are starting to come apart at the meter which allows water to enter the conduit providing service to the home.

How much water is too much?  Any water is too much.  Before you panic, realize that some electrical lines are coated with a water resistant coating.  The most commonly used XHHW insulation is a polyethylene coating which will protect the wires from heat and moisture.  That isn't to say that having your electrical service floating in water is safe, because it's not.  But, it is something you will want to have looked at and repaired.

Electrical Service Conduits SeparatingWhile repairing one this morning, we walked the neighborhood to inspect the other electrical services on neighboring homes.  Nearly 50% were open to water.  That means 50% of the homes in that neighborhood are feeding water back into the power company's junction box. 

The longer water is allowed to pour into the service conduit the more likely it is that it will back up into the junction box or transformer provided by the local power company.  Once that water overflows into the junction box or transformer you will have real problems.  So, go ahead and take the time to get it fixed early, and the power company and your neighbors will thank you.

1. Buying your first home in Winchester VA

2. What to look for when buying a foreclosure in Winchester VA

3. Short Sale inventory in Winchester VA

4. Winchester, VA - The best bedroom community for the Washington, D.C. area

5. Passion is contagious - Infect somebody!

6. Winchester, Virginia is a great place to buy a house at great discount!

7. This simple electrical test could save your life.

8. Turn setbacks into springboards

9. Reduce your mortgage by pre-paying principle and eliminating interest

10. What can I do to sell my home more quickly?

********************************************************************************

Mike Cooper, Real Estate Broker, Winchester, VAGive me a call for all your real estate needs, and let's make something amazing happen. 

Mike Cooper @ Cornerstone Business Group, Inc., 888-722-6029

 

Real Estate Sales and Property Management         

 

(Disclaimer:  All grammatical mistakes, punctuation breakdowns and misspellings are purely for your amusement and entertainment.   Feel free to cackle.)                                                                                                

 
This post has been included in Virginia Real Estate News Frederick County, VA Real Estate News Winchester, VA Real Estate News Oakdale Crossing (Winchester, VA) Real Estate News
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!
Post is included in group: WeBlog Anything (almost)!
Post is included in group: The Lounge at Active Rain
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: BananaTude

31 Comments on How much water can safely be in your electrical system?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

APR
18
2012
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It's a great place to hang out, Jill.  8-)

Excellent, Steve.  
11:28am • #12
229,764 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

You mean those pipes are to keep the water OUT? Oops.
11:38am • #13
265,613 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Very interesting. I will look out for that when showing now.
11:40am • #14
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Looks a great opportunity for duct tape and chaulk, eh, Tim?

There you do, Ellen.  It's not an expensive repair, but it is an important one.  
11:49am • #15
334,252 Points 7 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this one now Mike.  Thanks for the information.
12:02pm • #16
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You bet, Jim.
12:26pm • #17
937,923 Points 51 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Of all the issues which can visit a home, electrical problems must be at the top of the list for causing concern.  Water is never a home's friend.  But coupled with electricity, it can be deadly!
2:47pm • #18
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Absolutely, Myrl. 
3:43pm • #19
306,123 Points 6 Featured Posts

Wow, some amazing short cuts made just to move them along.  Sadly, it's the homeowners that are going to pay for contractor's greed!
4:03pm • #20
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That's right, Jennifer.  And it was definitely a short cut.  Fortunately, the repair isn't terribly expensive.
4:36pm • #21
466,370 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Mike, I haven't seen anything like that, but thanks for pointing it out. Now I'll know. Thanks for your post today,
4:58pm • #22
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks for dropping by, Pamela.  8-)
5:06pm • #23
479,117 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks Mike. . . I do see this happening a lot with properties. . . Thanks for the info!
5:30pm • #24
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It's way worse than I thought in this area.  That neighborhod walk was stunning.  
6:01pm • #25
126,032 Points

Electrical conduit often has water in it but there is no good reason to have it open to the world. The less water the better in my opinion. 
8:18pm • #27
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Agreed, Rob.  I was in a trench with a guy from the power company one time.  We were switching a service from overhead to underground.  We took the pipe that feed the build apart at the bottom of the pole and about 30 gallons of water came rushing out.  Nasty, nasty business.  It was working OK, but here again, no reason to tempt fate.
8:26pm • #28
APR
19
2012
976,552 Points 352 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I did an inspection once where the conduit was opened and the house had 30 volts in the receptacles on one side of the house, and 165 volts on the other!  Gee, could it have been water?
2:01am • #29
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I do run into that periodically.  It seems like we've seen that more in the past 5 years than in the past 30.
3:01am • #30
275,890 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That is scary!  It seems intuitive that people would understand that water and electricity DO NOT mix.  But you might just overlook the gaps in those protective pipes!
4:20am • #31
554,899 Points 148 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I'm sure that's what happens, Kathryn.  Very few people actually try to have it repaired.  
4:40am • #32

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention: