If your home or property has been flooded, the first thing you need to know is: do not touch anything electrical until a professional has inspected it. Water and electricity are a deadly combination, and the damage isn't always visible.
Following the recent Storm Leonardo (Borrasca Leonardo) and torrential rains affecting Malaga province, many families and expats are facing this situation. This guide explains step by step what to do to protect your safety and your home.
IMMEDIATE DANGER
- DO NOT try to turn the electricity back on yourself
- DO NOT enter flooded areas if there's electrical risk
- DO NOT touch wet outlets, switches, or appliances
- DO NOT assume that because the water has gone, everything is safe
First steps: what to do immediately
1. Cut the power at the main switch
If you can safely access your consumer unit (cuadro electrico) without stepping in water or wet areas, turn off the main switch. If the consumer unit is in a flood-affected area, do not touch it - call your electricity company (Endesa, Iberdrola, etc.) to cut the supply from outside.
2. Document the damage
Before touching or moving anything, take photos and videos of:
- The water level (marks on walls)
- All affected appliances
- The consumer unit (electrical panel)
- Damaged outlets and switches
- Any visible cable damage
This documentation will be essential for insurance claims and for the electrician to assess the damage.
3. Call a licensed electrician
Do not attempt to dry out or repair anything yourself. An emergency electrician must inspect the entire installation before reconnecting power.
Why is electricity so dangerous after flooding?
Floodwater is not clean water. It contains mud, debris, salts, and contaminants that:
- Conduct electricity much better than clean water
- Corrode metal contacts in outlets, switches, and consumer units
- Deteriorate cable insulation even inside walls
- Damage electronic components in protection devices
Even after the water has dried, the damage remains. An outlet that looks dry may have internal corrosion that will cause a short circuit or fire when power is restored.
What the electrician will inspect
A complete post-flood inspection includes:
Consumer unit (cuadro electrico)
- Condition of the RCD (diferencial) and circuit breakers (magnetotermicos)
- Corrosion on connections
- Functioning of all protection devices
- Condition of the ICP (power control switch)
General installation
- Insulation resistance of all circuits
- Earth connection condition
- Wiring continuity
- Outlets and switches in affected areas
Critical areas
- Kitchen electrical installation
- Bathrooms
- Garages and basements
- Outdoor areas (terrace, garden, pool)
Wet appliances: can they be saved?
It depends on the type of appliance and how much water reached it:
Usually CANNOT be recovered:
- Any appliance that was completely submerged
- Appliances with motors that water touched (washing machine, dishwasher, fridge)
- Electronic devices (TV, computers, routers)
- Small kitchen appliances
May be salvageable with professional inspection:
- Appliances where water only affected the lower part
- Appliances that dried before being connected
- Outdoor-rated equipment designed for humidity (with inspection)
Important: Never plug in a wet appliance to "see if it works." Even if it turns on, it may be dangerous or fail completely shortly after.
How much does it cost to repair electrical damage after flooding?
Costs depend on the extent of damage:
- Inspection and certification: 100-200 euros
- Consumer unit replacement: 300-700 euros
- Damaged outlet/switch replacement: 30-60 euros per unit
- Partial rewiring: varies by extent
- New boletin electrico: included if required
For natural disasters like DANA storms, the Consorcio de Compensacion de Seguros (Spain's insurance compensation consortium) covers this damage. Keep all invoices and documentation.
Insurance and flood electrical damage
For insurance to cover the damage:
- Document everything before touching anything (photos, videos)
- Report the claim to your insurer as soon as possible
- Don't throw anything away without the assessor's authorisation
- Keep all repair invoices
- Request technical reports from the electrician
In case of DANA or natural disaster, if your private insurance doesn't cover the damage, the Consorcio de Compensacion de Seguros does. Ask at your local town hall (ayuntamiento) about available assistance.
Understanding Spanish electrical terminology
If you're dealing with insurance, utility companies, or official documents, here are the key terms:
- Cuadro electrico: Consumer unit / electrical panel
- Diferencial: RCD (Residual Current Device)
- Magnetotermico: MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)
- Boletin electrico: Electrical certificate (CIE)
- Toma de tierra: Earth / ground connection
- Instalador autorizado: Licensed electrician
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn the electricity back on after flooding?
Never without professional inspection first. Water can damage wiring, outlets, and your consumer unit in ways that aren't visible. Reconnecting without inspection can cause electrocution or fire.
How long should I wait before using electricity?
There's no fixed time. The installation must be completely dry and professionally inspected. Depending on damage, this can take days to weeks. Never reconnect based solely on time elapsed.
Does insurance cover electrical damage from flooding?
Usually yes, with water damage coverage. Document everything with photos and get technical reports. For natural disasters, the Consorcio de Compensacion de Seguros provides additional coverage.
What parts of the electrical system get damaged by water?
The consumer unit (RCD, circuit breakers), outlets and switches in affected areas, wiring inside walls, submerged appliances, and the earth connection. Everything must be inspected before reconnecting.
Do I need a new boletin electrico?
If significant repairs are needed (replacing consumer unit, rewiring sections), yes. The boletin certifies the installation meets regulations and is important for insurance and reconnecting your electricity supply.
Prevention: protect your installation for the future
After repairing the damage, consider these improvements:
- Raise the consumer unit if it's in a flood-risk zone
- Install weatherproof outlets in outdoor areas and garages
- Improve drainage around your property
- Consider a super-immunised RCD for humid areas
- Have annual inspections if you live in a flood-risk area
Has your property been flooded? We can help
If you've suffered damage from the recent rains or flooding in Malaga, we're here to help. Our emergency electrical service is available for:
- Safety inspection of your installation
- Certification that you can reconnect power
- Repair and replacement of damaged components
- Technical reports for insurance claims
- New boletin electrico if required
We've been working across Malaga province for over 20 years. We're licensed technicians authorised by the Junta de Andalucia and can provide all the official documentation you need.
Call us now - your family's safety can't wait.
Related articles
- RCD Keeps Tripping in Spain? What to Do - Complete guide to diferencial problems
- Electrical Panel Replacement Cost in Malaga - Updated prices for the Costa del Sol
- Boletin Electrico Guide for Expats - Everything about Spanish electrical certificates