Water leak into consumer unit

[ruaricoles]

Went into our en-suite this morning to hear the sound of trickling water down the back of the basin

I've stopped the leak, but underneath in a cupboard downstairs is the consumer unit which is dripping with water

Some of the breakers had tripped, I've turned the power supply off completely and we've dried up as much as possible (front panel removed but breakers still in place)

I have a dehumidifier but can't run it without putting the power back on

If I put the main power back on the unit makes a buzzing / fizzing sound; are we best off just leaving it to dry off for a few hours or are there electronics inside the switches which could be knackered? Or just turn it on and run the dehumidifier to dry it out as quickly as possible?

Thanks all

[buggalugs]

That's not an ideal way to spend a Sunday. I think you'd want someone to inspect the unit to see if any breakers need replacing or if water has pooled inside, if something has shorted and damaged insulation etc.

[Muncher]

I wouldn't be touching it until it has dried out thoroughly and a spark has checked it.

[Bristol spark]

Get a spark in To asses the board. Depending on how wet its got....

If its got properly wet, i wouldnt be recommisioning the board.

[DrDeAtH]

Ideally you want to blow it out with compressed air to drive the water out of the breakers.

[megaphone]

Run an extension lead to nextdoor? Then use a hair dryer on it.

[hairyben]

Water damage = replacement. Impossible to assess the isides of MCBs and RCDs without dis-assembly.

Household insurance will cover it I'd imagine?

[Cerbhd]

hairyben said:

Water damage = replacement. Impossible to assess the isides of MCBs and RCDs without dis-assembly.

Household insurance will cover it I'd imagine?

This, don't mess around with it use it as an excuse to get a new tin can fitted!

[ruggedscotty]

your consumer unit is goosed - water in it and the noise you described isnt good. best completely dry it out and replace the internal MCB's, dont skimp as if they are water damaged then they will not operate as required. The consumer board will be okay once it dries out bu the MCB are kacked

[ruaricoles]

Thanks guys

I pumped WD40 into the breakers to dispel the water then left it while we were out for a few hours

Now back home, powered it up again and the arcing noises have stopped and one half seems happy, the other half RCD won't stay on though

That's enough anyway with a ring main on to get a hair dryer and dehumidifier on it to make sure it's properly dry, and to let the freezer get cold and the heating get warm

That should keep us going today, we'll keep an eye on it and turn it off again overnight to be sure

Waiting to hear back from a sparky ref coming to check them properly tomorrow and change the breakers if needed

Thanks for the advice guys

[hairyben]

ruaricoles said:

Thanks guys

I pumped WD40 into the breakers to dispel the water then left it while we were out for a few hours

Now back home, powered it up again and the arcing noises have stopped and one half seems happy, the other half RCD won't stay on though

That's enough anyway with a ring main on to get a hair dryer and dehumidifier on it to make sure it's properly dry, and to let the freezer get cold and the heating get warm

That should keep us going today, we'll keep an eye on it and turn it off again overnight to be sure

Waiting to hear back from a sparky ref coming to check them properly tomorrow and change the breakers if needed

Thanks for the advice guys

I'd advise against using it, but as you're going to anyway, I'd re-iterate not leaving it unattended ie going out or asleep and getting the spark round urgent. The RCD could be tripping out as it can see faults due to damp or it could be internally goosed - it's a sensitive electronic device. Have you tried your insurer? Might get a whole new one bunged in for free...

[ruaricoles]

Thanks, we'll certainly not leave it unattended!! And it'll be going off at night. All seems much better now after a good long hair dryer session. Sparky coming round tomorrow hopefully. All new breakers will be around £80-90 plus a bit of fitting if needed so I'm not inclined to worry about any insurance route. Fortunately there doesn't look to be any further water damage and the paint has dried up fine.

[speedyman]

You really need an electrician to test the installation using an insulation tester to check there are no low reading between line neutral and earth caused by the leak. Dampness cannot aways be seen.I would not rely on a visual inspection.

[Cerbhd]

I'd be inclined to ask the sparky what is the cost difference between just changing the internals and changing the whole unit.
If he is supplying the mcb's, main switch, rcd's or rcbo's then the cost of supplying a new board is minimal.
He will probably be charging you half a days labour to swap the internals and thoroughly test the installation so an extra half a days labour to change the box shouldn't be a problem.
If any water is between the unit and the wall or on the cables then it may still work its way into the board, I'd be happier if the board was off the wall and thoroughly dried out behind, but that's just me.

[DrDeAtH]

A new board is likely to be around 400 quid.
Changing the breakers and RCDs will be easier and cheaper for the OP.

[ruaricoles]

A whole new unit is actually cheaper than just getting the breakers (!) from Screwfix at least, it's an MK jobby and with almost all the breakers we need included is around 80 quid instead of 120 or so for buying the internals separately. Therefore we'll probably get the whole lot and can transfer the internals if that's sufficient

[DrDeAtH]

Price I quoted was for the sparky to do the whole job...

[Cerbhd]

DrDeAtH said:

A new board is likely to be around 400 quid.
Changing the breakers and RCDs will be easier and cheaper for the OP.

I don't doubt it will be easier and cheaper, I was working more along the safety aspect, but as I said that's just me!

[MX51ROD]

ruaricoles said:

Thanks guys

I pumped WD40 into the breakers to dispel the water then left it while we were out for a few hours

Now back home, powered it up again and the arcing noises have stopped and one half seems happy, the other half RCD won't stay on though

That's enough anyway with a ring main on to get a hair dryer and dehumidifier on it to make sure it's properly dry, and to let the freezer get cold and the heating get warm

That should keep us going today, we'll keep an eye on it and turn it off again overnight to be sure

Waiting to hear back from a sparky ref coming to check them properly tomorrow and change the breakers if needed

Thanks for the advice guys

WD40 is flammable

[Alucidnation]

WD40 sprayed into a CU and breakers?

LOL.