Spring storms in Beckley, WV can lead to various problems, including power surges, power outages, and water damage. All these issues can pose a significant risk to your electronics and electrical wiring, so preparation is key. There are several preventive measures you can take when a storm is on the way to minimize the chances that it will cause serious problems.
Schedule an Electrical Inspection
Our experts at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric suggest scheduling an electrical inspection every three to five years. However, owners of older homes should book one more often. During the appointment, we perform a comprehensive inspection. We check everything from your electrical panel to your outlets for potential problems, such as buzzing sounds, burning odors, and corrosion.
If you want to prepare your electrical system for spring storms, we recommend scheduling an appointment in late winter or early spring. This increases the chances of getting your system into a safe condition before the first strong storm of the season. After we complete the inspection, we’ll recommend repairs or replacements if necessary.
Upgrade Your Electrical System
Outdated electrical systems are more at risk of damage than updated systems. Certain aspects of the system might be less likely to adequately handle moisture, power surges, and other issues. Systems with high-quality upgrades may be better equipped to withstand spring storms without disruption.
Install Covers on Your Outdoor Outlets
Uncovered outdoor outlets are at risk for damage from a rainstorm. Moisture can affect the internal components, leading to corrosion and other issues. Serious hazards such as electric shock, electrocution, or electrical fires may occur.
All outdoor outlets should not only be ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets but also have protective covers. Our team can install both GFCI outlets and the proper covers. It’s important to check them regularly to make sure there’s no damage. If the covers crack or develop holes, they could allow moisture to seep through.
Install a Whole-Home Surge Protector
While surge protector strips safeguard devices that are plugged into them, whole-home surge protectors provide widespread protection for your entire electrical system. They’re installed at your electrical panel and offer multiple benefits. For example, they can help reduce fire risk and improve overall electrical safety. The level of protection they offer also better protects expensive plugged-in items, such as laptops, smartphones, and smart refrigerators.
If you ever decide to put your home on the market, whole-home surge protection could be an attractive selling point. Many potential homebuyers who know its benefits may be willing to pay more for the property because of this feature.
Install a Whole-Home Generator
A whole-home generator turns on automatically when your power goes out. It provides a reliable flow of electricity to keep your home’s electrical appliances and devices running until the power comes back on. This can help prevent disruptions to essential items like your HVAC system, water heater, alarm system, and refrigerator. It’s especially crucial if you use plugged-in medical equipment or have refrigerated medications.
We install the whole-home generator outside on a concrete pad near your home and connect it to your fuel line, so you don’t need to manually refill it. Our team also installs an automatic transfer switch near your electrical panel. This setup ensures you have uninterrupted power, so all your essential systems can continue to run without issue.
Install a Sump Pump
A sump pump has the important job of preventing flooding in basements and crawl spaces. Installing one in your home can help protect certain appliances, gadgets, and electrical components from damage, especially in finished basements. For example, it could keep water away from expensive electronics like laptops, gaming systems, and televisions. The sump pump can also prevent water from going near outlets and your water heater. With proper maintenance, the device can protect your home for 7 to 10 years.
Protect Appliances and Gadgets in Moisture-Prone Areas
Take steps to protect any appliances and gadgets in moisture-prone areas, such as your basement. Even if you have a sump pump, you need to take additional precautions. Put electronics on higher shelves, your water heater on an elevated platform, and smaller items in waterproof storage bins that snap closed.
Install Smart Water Leak Detectors
These devices are an excellent way to monitor moisture in your home. Many homeowners use them near their plumbing pipes, including below their P-traps in vanities. However, you could strategically place them around your home near your electrical components and appliances. For instance, you could put them near your water heater and expensive computer equipment. Keep in mind that water could come in through various areas, like the floor, windows, and doors. If the devices detect moisture, they’ll send an alert to your smartphone, which will allow you to take prompt action.
Gather Emergency Items
Purchase emergency items that you may need during a storm. For instance, buy portable power banks, batteries, and flashlights. Keep the items easily accessible, such as putting them in the kitchen, to reach for them quickly if the power goes out. Make sure to buy these items far in advance of a storm. Many people wait until the last minute, only to find none or very few of these items remaining on store shelves.
Monitor Weather Alerts
If there’s inclement weather in the forecast, keep monitoring the alerts. Downloading an app and enabling notifications makes it easy to do this on your smartphone. Have a plan to safely shut down or unplug devices close to the time that the storm should arrive.
Unplug Devices Before a Storm
Even if you have protective measures in place, like a whole-home surge protector, there’s still some risk of damage to anything that’s plugged in. Before a storm, walk through your home and unplug anything that you won’t need throughout the duration of the storm. For instance, you could unplug your gaming consoles, microwave, and coffee maker. Make sure to fully charge your phone before the storm starts so that you don’t have to leave it plugged into a power bank.
Do a Post-Storm Check
After a storm, walk around your home to check for damage or signs of trouble with your electrical components. For example, pay attention to burning odors, scorch marks, smoke, or moisture. If you notice such issues, never attempt to fix them yourself. Contact us right away to schedule an appointment. Our experienced electricians can assess the situation, identify the problem, and determine an appropriate solution.
Childers Air Plumbing & Electric offers a wide range of electrical services in Beckley, including installations, repairs, and replacements. To make sure your electrical system and gadgets are fully protected during spring storms, call today to schedule an appointment.
