Gas and Electrical Flood and Water Safety

Safety is a top priority – Make sure you are prepared in the event of a flood.
Below are steps you can take before, during, and after a flood to help keep your family and property safe.

Who Can I Call Before, During, or After a Flood?

How Do I Prepare Before a Flood?

Electrical

• Stay away from fallen power lines. Water conducts electricity, and electrocution in water can be fatal.
• SaskPower must cut power to any area that has flooded. The risk of electrical shock or electrocution due to fallen power lines and fallen power poles is minimized by shutting off power. Cutting the power also protects electrical equipment from water damage, which would delay power restoration efforts.
• In an emergency, call SaskPower toll-free at 1-306-310-2220.
• If you can safely disconnect all outdoor electrical devices that are in danger of being submerged, and turn off breakers to outdoor plugs, do so.

Gas

• Hire a licensed gas contractor to shut off your gas supply before moving gas appliances that have become submerged.
• Propane tanks must be secured in flood conditions.
• Ask your propane supplier to move your tank to higher ground, if necessary, or place it on blocks to protect it from flood waters. For propane services, contact your local propane supplier.
• If you own your own propane cylinder (100 lbs. or less), secure it with wire rope, steel cable or chain to a stationary object to prevent it from floating away.

What Should I Do During a Flood to Protect My Home?

Electrical

• If water is entering your basement, disconnect all equipment and receptacles in the basement by unplugging appliances and turning off the breakers, ONLY if this can be done in a safe manner.
• If water is entering your basement and you are unable to get to the breakers, call SaskPower to disconnect the power.
• When using pumps, lights, and tools in the vicinity of the water, a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter must be used (such as the GFCI bathroom receptacle, GFCI outside receptacles or GFCI extension cords).
• When using portable generators, do not connect to the house circuits. This can cause a dangerous back-feed situation. Use for specific tools only, such as lights and pumps. Do not run generators indoors or in confined spaces. Keep all cords and generators safely out of the water.

Gas

• Shut off the gas supply to all natural gas and propane appliances.
• Shut off the valves to all propane tanks or cylinders.
• Never use unvented gas appliances (i.e., gas ranges, portable propane construction heaters) that are not certified for heating as a temporary heat source, as they can create carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Call SaskEnergy at 1-888-700-0427 if you are unable to shut off your gas service and water is entering your basement.

How Do I Ensure My Home Is Safe After a Flood?

Electrical

• When restoring power to a flood damaged premises, there are several conditions to be aware of and processes to comply with. An electrical contractor must make the electrical system safe to be reconnected. A permit must be submitted and a TSASK Electrical Inspector must inspect before re-connection. All work must meet the minimum requirements of the current Canadian Electrical Code.
• When electrical equipment is exposed to water, corrosion is enhanced rapidly. The equipment may look safe on the outside, but it can be extremely dangerous to re-use.
• If the service (panel box, etc.) has been exposed to water, it must be replaced or completely disassembled and cleaned. All the breakers must be replaced, and the damaged breakers must be destroyed. When service equipment is replaced, the entire service must be brought up to the current Canadian Electrical Code standard.
• All meter sockets must be securely mounted.
• Grounding must be checked, and if repairs are required, they must meet the minimum requirements of the current Canadian Electrical Code. Ground clamps should be cleaned or replaced.
• All submerged conductors, cables, equipment, receptacles, switches etc., must be replaced, and the damaged material destroyed.
• Conduit systems that have been flooded must be cleaned as well as possible, and a bond wire will have to be installed with the new conductors.
• Furnaces and water heaters must be checked over by a qualified gas contractor.
• If your premise has had the power turned off as a safety precaution and has not been flooded, a TSASK Electrical Inspector can verify that it is safe to be re-energized and have the power restored without an electrical contractor or permit.

Gas

• Never attempt to relight a gas appliance if it has been submerged in water. Call a licensed gas contractor. Furnaces, water heaters and other gas appliances exposed to flood water can create fire, explosion, and carbon monoxide hazards.
• If appliances need to be replaced or serviced, a permit must be issued by TSASK, and the work must be done by a licensed gas contractor. Have a licensed gas contractor make the necessary correction(s) as required by the TSASK Gas Inspector and the most recent editions of the B149.1 Natural Gas and Propane Code and TSASK Codes of Practice.
• If your gas was disconnected as a safety precaution but you did not experience flooding, contact a TSASK Gas Inspector at 1-866-530-8599 to ensure it is safe to restore your gas or propane service without a gas contractor or permit.