Understanding Power Issues Caused by Storms
Heavy winds and rains that accompany many severe storms can destroy your home or business if it is left vulnerable to these elements. Storms leave many communities without power when downed trees, lightning, or heavy flooding occur near their area. Preventative maintenance and routine electrical inspections by any contractors of electrician service Madison can lessen the severity of these issues.
Storms bring many elements that can leave you without power and damage your home or business electrical system. Being prepared for these hazards can minimize your inconvenience and keep you safe against property damage and electrical fires. You should also have a trusted electrician on call to deal with any electrical issues that spring up during or after a big storm.
Let’s dive into the most common electrical issues caused by storms so that you can learn how best to prepare your home or business before the next big one:
- Lighting Strikes and Power Surges
If lightning strikes on or near your home or business, the explosive surge can damage all the electronic devices connected to your electrical wiring, and sometimes even non-electronic appliances that are connected! It can also damage your electrical system. If you live in an area with frequent storms and lightning, it’s important to take precautions to protect your home or business from power surges. Installing a lightning arrester can prevent damage by detouring the electricity away from your home or business and directing it instead to safe ground.
- Downed trees, High Winds and Loss of Power
During heavy precipitation, the ground gets very wet, making it softer and less stable. In combination with high winds, this can cause trees to fall, and they often bring power lines down with them. To minimize the inconvenience of storms, secure a backup power source that is sufficient to power critical appliances or functions in the event of an outage. A portable generator is good enough for one thing, but a whole-home generator system is more effective, and can power much more.
- Excessive Water and Electrical Shorts
During a storm with heavy rain, water may leak into your home or business. If this water comes into contact with your wiring, it can cause your power to short circuit. Depending on the location of the short circuit, this may result in loss of power to just one room or to the entire building. A short circuit can also present a fire hazard if the wire still has power. The best way to prevent this problem is to keep your home sound against leaks, but unfortunately they can happen in spite of your best efforts.
If you experience a short circuit during or right after a storm, call a reliable electrical company to investigate the problem and make any needed repairs.
When your home or business suffers electrical damage from a storm, call the professionals around your area for expert help to repair the damage and ensure complete safety. The importance of getting professional help is that they can help you prepare your home for surges and storms to protect your electrical system.
