Hey everyone! I recently switched out my bathroom's GFCI outlet for a regular one. It was working fine until we had some rain, and now there's no power coming to that outlet. All my other outlets are functioning, and I checked the breakers – none are tripped. I've inspected the outlet, and it seems okay, but I also had to replace the outdoor outlet which failed, probably due to water damage. Any thoughts on what might be causing the issue? Also, can I safely use a multimeter to check the outlets with the main breaker either on or off? Or should I just replace the entire breaker to see if that fixes things? What do you all think?
2 Answers
I get what you're saying about the outlet swap; it can be frustrating! When these GFCI outlets malfunction, they can trip silently or not look tripped but still need to be reset. I’ve had the same issue in my older home where I had to flip breakers back to life. Definitely check your wiring at the outlet for loose connections. If you're not sure about testing with a multimeter, it might be best to call in a pro rather than risking it.
It sounds like you might need to consider reinstalling a GFCI outlet instead of that regular one you put in. GFCIs are crucial in areas prone to moisture, like bathrooms, since they protect against ground faults. If water got into the wiring of the outdoor outlet, it could definitely affect the circuit. Just a heads up, if your bathroom outlet is on the same circuit as the outdoor one, one failure can link back to the whole chain. Safety first! Also, don’t forget to check your circuit breaker, as there might be a GFCI circuit breaker that needs resetting.”,