Did Your Brampton Home Get Damaged in the Ice Storm?

Published April 16, 2018 at 2:49 pm

Homeowners across Ontario, including Brampton, are being advised to check for damage to their home or property’s electrical system following a mid-April ice storm.

Homeowners across Ontario, including Brampton, are being advised to check for damage to their home or property’s electrical system following a mid-April ice storm.

Even if power has been restored or never went out, you may have electrical pipes/masts pulled away from the building, sagging electrical wires, or water and ice damage, according to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).

These could be shock or fire hazards and should be repaired.

Typically, a homeowner’s ownership of electrical equipment begins where the wires attach to the house. This includes the stack pipe and the wires in it.

Check to see if the pipe is pulled away from the wall, broken, or detached from the meter base, the ESA advises, and look for wires sagging down.

If you see this or suspect any damage, contact a licensed electrical contractor to check it and make necessary repairs. A list of all licensed electrical contractor in Ontario, as well as a search feature to find one near you, can be found at www.esasafe.com

Remember, only licensed electrical contractors can be hired to do residential electrical repairs. They will take out permits with the ESA so that inspection can occur and an official record of the work is generated.

Once you’ve hired a licensed electrical contractor:

  • The contractor will file for a permit with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) so there is a record of the work.
  • When contractors complete repairs, they will notify ESA and the ESA Inspector will confirm work has been done safely.
  • The contractor will get a copy of the ESA certificate of inspection. Homeowners, you should get a copy of this from the contractor or ESA for your insurance company.

If heavy rains have caused flooding in your basement, do a visual check (do not go into the basement) to see if water was or is high enough to come into contact with electrical outlets, panels, wiring and appliances. Stay back and contact a Licensed Electrical Contractor immediately to make repairs. Do not use appliances that have been damaged by water.

Click here  for more information on these and other electrical safety topics.

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