Fall Check List
A fall electrical maintenance routine is important to prepare your electrical system for the coming winter months. The following is a checklist of some fall electrical maintenance tasks that every homeowner should be aware of.
Fall Cleanup
With leaves now falling from the trees, homeowners may be using leaf blowers to clear their yards. If an extension cord is needed for any fall cleanup equipment, make sure to use only an outdoor rated cord with the appropriate wire gauge size.
If you have trees in your yard, make sure to cut back all branches from around overhead cables. It is better to do it now, before the stormy weather starts to prevent possible damage caused by falling branches. BC Hydro states that branches need to be 3 meters or 10 feet from the cables.
Gently dust or vacuum your smoke alarms. Dust can build up on the sensor causing it to be less effective.
Vacuum your bathroom exhaust fan grill to keep it clear of dust. This will help extend the life of the fan motor.
Fall Inspection
Visually check overhead connection points where your service enters your home to ensure that the cables appear tight and you have a undamaged attachment point. If you have any concerns, contact our electricians to check for any safety issues and make the required repairs.
Check all exterior vents for any electrical appliances to make sure that they are clear of debris and that no critters have taken up residence.
Check all exterior lighting and change burned out light bulbs. Reset timers if needed.
Check that all outdoor receptacles have GFCI protection. All outdoor receptacles require protection with a Code required weatherproof in-use cover. This will prevent water from damaging the sensitive GFCI electronics, even when the receptacle is in use.
Make sure septic, water or sump pumps are tested and working properly. A battery backup for your pump would be strongly advised for when power outages occur. Here is more information on Sump Pump Safety.
Your electrical panel should always remain clean and dry. If you notice any rust or corrosion, call our electricians who are able to provide an Electrical Panel Safety check.
If you have a generator, have it serviced now to make sure it’s in good working order and ready to go for the next power outage.
Using space heaters is common this time of year. Never use an extension cord to power a space heater as this may cause the cord to overheat and result in a fire.
Our electricians would be happy to assist you with all your fall electrical maintenance repairs. Regular service and maintenance of your electrical system may identify minor concerns before they become expensive repairs.