The Winter’s On Its Way Out – Are You Ready?
It’s true that around PA and NJ we’ve had a pretty rough winter as far as freezing temperatures and ice goes. We may not have had record-breaking snow, but that doesn’t mean that residents all over the area didn’t (and aren’t still) feeling the impacts of the season.
That’s why we’re releasing this blog as a preface to the spring and summer, and a conclusion to the winter. There are many things you should consider around your property for the coming change in season that will help preserve your electrical system and also keep you, your property, and everyone inside and nearby safe.
Check for leftover holiday season decorations and wiring. Many people overlook this after the holidays, and sometimes wiring and other things get left behind—this can be dangerous. The process of freezing, thawing and animals waking up from their hibernation and scurrying around will not bode well for the thin wires that usually accompany holiday décor. To prevent fires, loss of power and wasted electricity, please double check.
Your furnace has probably been working overtime, so give it a check. Yet another thing that gets overlooked is the wiring and electronics around the heating system in a house. There’s a lot of insulation around furnaces—make sure that it’s in tact and that nothing came in during the winter and tried to burrow in there. Check your thermostats and make sure your furnace is responding well.
Check the electronics around any pools, ponds or fountains on your property. This could also include areas that have been significantly flooded out or crushed by heavy snow load during the winter. Check the electronics around these areas for frays in the wiring, faulty bulbs or surfaced wiring that should be underground. Pools should especially have their electricity systems checked regularly by an expert to ensure proper grounding and circuit breaking.
Check Your Trees. Some properties have more trees than others. As the winter progresses, cold weather, ice and thawing will kill or weaken the branches of your trees. Go around your property and look for problematic branches that may fall onto wires or important systems around your house. If possible, get a professional to help you. By taking proper care of your trees, you are saving yourself thousands of dollars in repairs after a storm.
Check Your Sump Pump. If you value your basement or under-levels you should never forget this step. One great way to test a sump pump is to get a bucket of water and slowly dump it into the sump, making sure that the system turns on and effectively drains out the water. Check the area the sump outlets to. This area can build up with ice in the winter and dirt and debris in the summer. If it gets clogged, it can cause the motor to overwork itself and eventually break down.
These are just a few tips on how to save yourself time and headaches with your electrical systems during the change in seasons. We regularly service clientele throughout Philly, Bucks and Montgomery County PA and most of the surrounding areas, so call us with any questions on how you can prepare yourself for the spring and summer months.
