re: Should I replace my electrical sockets that went underwater?

Code for new construction requires tamper proof receptacles but not sure if they would be required in this situation. Just wanted to mention this because if you have small kids and you want to replace the outlets anyway, then tamper proof would be a good option.

$1.19 Amazon and possibly a little cheaper at the nix stores.

Black wire goes to the copper shaded screw and white wire to the silver shaded screw. Green or bare wire to the green screw.

Amazon TR Receptacles



I am a fan of using stranded pigtails as well. Not required but makes it easier to tuck the wires back into the box.


Amazon pigtails

Can be purchased much cheaper from local electrical supply houses.





I am also a big fan of Wago wire nuts.


Wago wire nuts

Again probably cheaper from local electrical supply house.

If you have to ask that question, please pay someone to do it for you because you will either shock yourself or burn your house to the ground

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What about the actual in-wall wiring?

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No, that should be perfectly fine to reuse if it's copper wiring.

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Just remember, "black people get gold teeth" and you'll never hook it up backwards again. Hook the black wire to the gold tab.

Heard that from an old electrician and never forgot it.

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I prefer the less racist:
"Green is ground the whole world round.
White is bright.
Black is brass.
If you don't like it you can kiss my arse. "

ALSO:

I'm an electrician and obviously I suggest you replace the sockets.

However, most people are finding that everything works, for the most part, once dry. I would just change on a case by case basis, like if breakers keep tripping, or the connection is spotty. Your house is probably not going to burn down from a wet socket unless you store gasoline, oily rags, kindling wood, and steel wool right next to a faulty socket.

ABSOLUTELY replace all GFCI receptacles that got wet. I've seen those catch on fire from water/moisture. Regular sockets, not so much.

ABSOLUTELY replace your breaker box/meter if it got water. The bus bar and the internal parts of a circuit breaker will have been compromised.

If you have aluminum wiring or a Federal Pacific breaker box, now would be a good time to replace as much of that as is feasible.