Summer in St. Louis brings together warm weather, reunion dinners, and, of course, thunderstorms. Typically in Missouri, summer storms are characterized by thunder and lightning, heavy rain, and high winds that can be extremely damaging to an unprepared household electrical system in many ways, including power surges, fallen power lines, and flooding, warns the Keyrenter Brentwood team.
As a homeowner, it really pays off to have your entire electrical system ready for the storms; this saves you from very expensive repairs later on. The checklist below should prepare St. Louis residential homes against probable electrical dangers when storms hit. However, if you have noticed some harm, it would be the smartest decision to call a St Louis Electrician or a St Louis electrical contractor from Bates Electric.
1. Examine Your Electrical Panel
Your electrical panel is the headquarters for all the electricity that you have in the house. Start with analyzing the panel for any visible signs of deterioration:
- Rust or corrosion
- Loose wires and connections
- Warm or discolored areas
That’s not unusual for old, overloaded, or damaged panels to fail during a storm. If your panel is very old-20-25 years-plus-chances are you should replace it. Our Licensed Electricians St Louis MO will make sure your panel is storm-ready by checking for aged components and safely replacing those that are outdated.
2. Test Your Circuit Breakers
The purpose of circuit breakers is to shut off the power entering the home in the instance of an overload or short circuit. One thing that should be done before the onset of the storm season is to check each one of the circuit breakers to ensure that it is reset. In the case where the circuit breakers can be tripped rather easily or do not reset, a potential issue may exist. Your circuit breakers will need to be evaluated by a qualified St Louis electrician.
3. Check Outdoor Electrical Outlets
Outdoor outlets are exposed to the elements and so are especially susceptible when storms occur. Look for:
- Damaged or fractured covers on the outlets
- Water intrusion signs
- Loose connections
The installation of weather-proof outlet covers and GFCI (ground fault current interrupter) outlets is an easy step to take to prevent such danger. St Louis electricians can safely install these to make your outdoor power sources storm-ready.
4. Check Extension Cords and Power Strips
Extension cords and power strips are used in homes to provide electricity to outdoor appliances like fan, grills, and lights. One must make sure that these cables are:
- Rated for outdoor use
- Free from frays, cuts, or exposed wires
- Not daisy-chained nor overloaded
Damaged cords can spark fires in time of storms. A St Louis electrical contractor can suggest the same but with safer alternatives and get your home’s electrical system set up to handle outdoor equipment more safely.
5. Inspect Lighting Systems
Lightning storms are known to bring about voltage spikes in lighting systems. Check:
- Fixtures that have loose wiring or burned-out light bulbs (Indoor & Outdoor)
- Landscape lighting with exposed wires
- Motion sensors and timers for proper operation
Surge protectors and proper grounding can protect your lights during storms. Experienced Electrician St Louis MO will know just what best to do in order to protect the lights of your home.
6. Whole Home Surge Protection Consideration
Even minor power surges created from lightning can short out your electronics or appliances. Having a whole-house surge protector will give one added protection. Excess power will be diverted away from your home’s wiring and sensitive electronics, saving you costly damage. A qualified St Louis electrician in will be able to properly design and install a whole-house surge protection plan tailored to your home’s power load.
7. Clear the area around electrical boxes
Ensure that your electrical boxes, your electrical meter, and your electrical panels are easily reachable in the event of an electricity power outage. Also, the environment within and around your electrical panel ought to be dry and free from obstructions. You should see to it that no tree branches or bushes are obstructing your electrical wires in the event of a storm. Taking all these kinds of measures would, in fact, be one step that every individual must take, as it would ensure that it will be easily accessible for the St Louis electricians if repairs are needed.
8. Secured Appliances and Electronics
Disconnect any electronics which could possibly be damaged during bad weather, if possible. Electronics like a T.V., a computer, or even a refrigerator could possibly be damaged through a power surge. Should it be something which cannot be unplugged, then a surge protector would be helpful. Your St Louis electrical contractor can point out systems for you that would benefit from surge protection.
9. Inspect Generator Readiness
If you have a generator for the house, get it ready for this stormy season coming up:
- Check fuel levels and storage safety
- Inspect wiring and connections
- Test the generator under load
Unmaintained generators can also prove to be dangerous. Professional St Louis electricians may be able to assess your generator system configuration to make sure you are wired right to your electrical circuit.
10. Preparing an Emergency Plan
Although every precaution is taken to avoid the occurrence, power outages can still happen in the event of a thunderstorm, and they can be unpredictable too. Be prepared:
- Being familiar with how to safely turn off the main breaker
- Having flashlights, batteries, and basic appliances on hand
- Having a list of trusted local St Louis Electricians to perform emergency repairs
Having a plan ready puts you at ease and helps you respond promptly if a storm leads to any electrical problems. St Louis electrical contractors such as Bates Electric are ready to help with any emergency or solution related to electrical work.
Why Partner with Bates Electric
There is simply no substitute for experience and knowledge, particularly with the issue of electrical safety. Since several years have passed, Bates Electric has been able to serve St. Louis. They have offered full electrical inspection and panel upgrade, as well as emergency services. The St Louis electricians at Bates Electric and the St Louis electrical contractors understand the particular challenges our homes face because of our special climate.
Whether your needs are maintenance, surge protection systems, or repairs after a storm, Bates Electric brings the needed skill, professionalism, and local sensibility to ensure your home remains safe. To learn more, schedule your home inspection today with Bates Electric St. Louis.
Final Thoughts
A summer storm in St. Louis can go from being a nuisance to being a danger to your electrical systems within your residence if you do not take care of the problem. Some of the options which one may consider if there is a storm in St. Louis are testing the circuit breakers, securing outdoor receptacles, or installing surge protection devices.
After following this list for electricity safety and hiring professional St Louis electricians and St Louis electrical contractors, you will be able to avoid and reduce the risks that may occur due to the power outage in your house and ensure that your family and equipment are safe and secured.
Storm season can be unpredictable, but with preparation and help from Bates Electric, you can feel confident knowing your home is ready for whatever Mother Nature brings our way.
