An electrical safety question

[ErrolFlynn]

With the recent storm activity on the NSW south coast, some water has come inside. It’s a rental property. Apparently, the wind was strong and blowing the rain near horizontal. Some water came through the kitchen exhaust extractor that’s mounted in the glass of the kitchen window. I don’t know how much, obviously. No one does. The fan is one of those types that has louvres that close off when not in use.

There were high winds and I gathered some water actually sprayed through the gaps in the shut windows and through the fly screens that covered them. I don’t know how much but I gather some water trickled down the internal (brick & tiled) wall and over the switch that turns on the extractor fan.

The strata person thinks that’s a danger and an electrician needs to come out and (do what I don’t know) offer an opinion.

What do you think?

Here’s what I think: I think the strata person is talking a lot of crap. When I have a long, hot, shower there’s condensation everywhere. Even on the light switches. There’s never been any issues with that. I can’t see the difference between some water tickles being blown in from some rain or trickles from condensation in a bathroom. And on a practical note, the rain will stop, we will soon be in summer and things will dry out by themselves if left alone.

[jack620]

Here's what I would do: Remove the switch plate and leave it out for a day. Then screw the plate back in again.

[BobL]

You can also hurry the drying out by directing a fan or a hair drier (not heat) onto the open switch.

[apple8]

IMO the agent has done the right thing. They don’t know how smart or dumb the tenant is when it comes to electrical matters, nor the extent of the water ingress. As to removing the switch to dry out, would the tenant know that there is an active live wire in the switch and being a kitchen that the taps/sink are at neutral/earth potential with voltage a of 240v between the two. Hopefully the safety switch would kick in, if there is one. Of course the power was switched off in the meter box except it wasn’t tagged and someone investigating why the lights weren’t working reset the breaker/fuse.

[rwbuild]

Agent has definitely done the right thing