Melting snow causing water leak from electrical box in cellar

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/509be2dcdcc62-.jpg

This is kind of hard to describe. Anyhow, I have water dripping from the gray electrial panel (box) in the cellar at the front of the house facing the street. A lot of water had accumulated on the basement floor, but I was able to drain it. Here’s what I think is happening: since they have not street cleaned due to the hurricane all the leaves on the street are preventing the melting snow from draining properly. So it’s now coming through the ground into my house along the underground power lines to the street (or through those same holes.) This has happened before many years ago, but not since. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it potentially dangerous? (We haven’t had any services affected.) I have Con Ed coming out to inspect as well.

peterinbrooklyn

in Cellar 12 years and 6 months ago

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renoishard2 | 12 years and 5 months ago

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I had same problem last year.  When the ConEd guy came, he just put a huge ball of plumber’s putty (I believe) into the conduit for the main elec line.  Altho that didn’t strike me as the most permanent or reliable seal, I haven’t been been flooded that way again (but I hadn’t had flooding before either).  No charge, prob should’ve been done in the first place.

anna53en | 12 years and 5 months ago

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A building I manage in Park Slope had this problem when there were especially heavy rains. The problem was that the ConEd piping to the manhole was not waterproofed. So when heavy rains came the manhole flooded and drained into the gray junction box in the basement. ConEd recognized the problem and fixed it right away at no cost. You should open the box to see if there are any exposed wires if so you should cover them and have coned come before the next rain. Although they are somwhat busy…

parkslopemom | 12 years and 5 months ago

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We’ve had this happen, and ConEd came out right away and said not to worry. When there is flooding outside, we can get waves of water that come in through this box in the front of our cellar. ConEd opened it, checked it, and said it’s all cables that are wrapped and run through the street, water will not hurt it. Always a good idea to have them come and check it.

shouldacouldawoulda | 12 years and 5 months ago

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I cant be sure – but it sounds like we had the same problem.  The water was infiltrating between the building/foundation.  We had just had to have someone someone “caulk” or seal around the that area.  Problem solved.

peterinbrooklyn | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Thanks. There’s no internal plumbing that could affect it. I think it must be coming from outside somehow.

cupolacoffee | 12 years and 6 months ago

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Yes, of course it’s dangerous. You run the risk of anything from corrosion to arcing to short to fire. Have you checked your home’s internal plumbing directly above the box, especially radiators on the floor above. Without knowing where you are in Brooklyn,  the layout of your home, or whether you’re in a flood zone, a leak from pipes close or right above your box are an equally or more likely source than water infiltration from outside. Rather than call Con Ed (too late, you’ve done that already), call a good electrician. I recommend Ceriello. Don’t know what their schedule’s like post-storm, but they are reliable, prompt and skillful: http://antoniocerielloelectric.com/