water damage to light--do I need to replace?

Hi all, My upstairs tenant had a sink overflow that managed to drain a lot of water into the light fixture of my bathroom below. It has since dried out and works. Do I need to replace it or worry about wiring? Safety first, of course!

bklynshrink

in Lighting 9 years and 9 months ago

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bklynsf | 9 years and 3 months ago

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My idea is call for an expert. Last month I’ve suffered from a similar situation, but get rid of easily, because one of the plumbing repair stores is near of my house. Called them earlier and they fixed the issue.

Aodrafting | 9 years and 9 months ago

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I concur with “thetinkerswagon”. Future corrosion ? which can lead to resistance and other issues. Now that unpaint metal and/or copper wiring was exposed to water, the metal will start to rust and any copper will start to undergo oxidation reaction and turn green. Keep and eye on it. Good Luck. AO

greenmountain | 9 years and 9 months ago

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I am not an electrician either, and I know my insurance company is on line. I never touch wires, but I have seen degraded cloth insulated 14 gauge wires in bathroom ceiling electric boxes in many of our older homes. In boxes more exposed to air than inside tightly-wound BX steel shielding, the cloth insulation used to be waxy and flexible, but has become dry and easily cracked. The more times you change light fixtures, the more wires are exposed to water, just the more time passes, the more it degrades. You may see a lot of electrical tape up there wrapping wires where the insulation has fallen off. Many little floods in bathrooms, damage electric systems, which are already fragile in older homes. Plastic or rubber insulated wires on newer wire will dry out from flooding sinks and tubs, without further damage. I install waterproof membranes under bathroom tile, even on the floors, even protecting steam risers, even under toilets. I recommend clients hire electricians, or have my licensed electrician upgrade older electric systems during renovations.

ihhsitbcjyvev | 9 years and 9 months ago

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Based on your description, and assuming that the system was in good condition. The only time you really have to worry about electrical equipment and water is whether it gets submerged. It probably needs no attention.

bliz | 9 years and 9 months ago

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It reminds me of some good times I have had in Mars Bar (RIP). During rain storms the water would drip down through the light fixture in front. Sometimes they would just leave the soggy light on so that you could enjoy the evening even more whilst sipping a fine ice cold beverage. Enjoy!

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 9 months ago

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Steve is right. I am not an electrician either but I have completely wired two houses. It’ll dry out an most likely be fine.

thetinkerswagon | 9 years and 9 months ago

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you know, I should have said this: I am not an electrician and am only telling you what I have done in the past. you should check back here and see if there is anything that I was not aware of that can go wrong or some other measures you have to take. Steve

bklynshrink | 9 years and 9 months ago

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Thanks!

thetinkerswagon | 9 years and 9 months ago

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also if this is fluorescent, there may be issues with the ballast. and I suppose if water traveled up the armored cable, that could be an issue, but is will soon dry.

thetinkerswagon | 9 years and 9 months ago

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open it up and dry it out. if you wish, unscrew it from the ceiling and pull it down a little to dry it. remove the bulb and let the socket dry. the thing I might worry about a little now is future corrosion – which can lead to resistance and other issues. I have seen lights in commercial settings where people don’t care and a leak fills the entire fixture/glass and the light still works whilst completely filled with water. i wanted to drop gold fish into such a light fixture.