[RE-wrenches] Wet Romex?

[Ray Walters]

Hi Wrenches;

This might be slightly off topic for a solar list, but I'm doing some 
flood damage work for my sister in Boulder,  who's basement was 
completely filled with water last week.  We stripped all the sheet rock 
and carpets, etc. out, and then had a company come in to dry out the 
lumber and treat for mold.
Since I'm a licensed electrician, she has asked me to help with 
rewiring.  All the plastic outlets boxes had about a 1/4 " of mud sludge 
in the bottom (now dry), and the receptacles were soaking in the silty 
water for about 12 hours too.  I think the boxes can just be cleaned 
out, but we will definitely replace all the connections, switches, and 
receptacles.
The question is: do we need to replace all the NMB wiring as well? I cut 
open a section, and the paper is moist, but otherwise no other issues.  
I know the THHN inside is wet rated, so what are the issues here?  What 
purpose does the paper serve, BTW?
Do we tear it all out, or give it a month to dry, and then put all the 
circuits on GFI breakers?
I don't want to be unsafe, but I don't want to run the repair bill up 
unnecessarily either (insurance is only covering some of the damage)

Thanks,

-- 
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760