We all know water and electricity do not mix well. This can be a dangerous combination in our homes. The electrical feeds coming into our homes can provide various sources and opportunities for electricity and water to join forces.
There are a few spots that we need to keep an eye on and do yearly maintenance on to avoid this dangerous mixture. You can use the above house as a reference, crude but effective. The first area, will be the roof penetration. This is the area where the mast will penetrate the roof, usually on an overhang. This area needs to be properly flashed, in order to prevent water from running onto the home. Most newer homes will have a ‘boot' around the masthead in order to keep water out.
Another area to look at is a joint in the ‘pipe' containing the electrical feeds. These should not be loose, or have moisture built up on the edges. If you notice this problem, have an electrician, or the local power company in some areas, out to examine this and repair the situation.
Our next area is the meter box itself. Depending upon where you live, responsibility on this can vary. In my area, any problems above the box are the power companies' responsibility, except roof penetration. If there are problems below the box, it is the homeowners' responsibility. Find out the policies in your area before have any work performed. The entry and exit from the meter box needs to be a water tight seal. A visual inspection can help determine if there is water getting inside.
Do not try to fix this yourself. Call a professional.
One more issue is where the service wires actually enter the home. This point also needs to be water tight. If water is able to enter here it will. Once it does that, it will follow the wires right to your electrical panel. Water should NEVER enter the electrical panel. If you notice water or condensation in your electrical panel, please call an electrician and have the problem corrected.
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