Spring brings new life and is a great time for a new start. However, as you deep clean your home, remember your electrical system. During the summer months in our part of Missouri, you’ll likely put added strain on your electrical system to run your air conditioner and appliances. If you have kids home all summer, they will also cause additional electrical demands on your system. You must also be prepared for storms that arrive with spring.
It’s critical to ensure your electrical system is in good working condition to keep your family safe and comfortable. Keeping up with electrical maintenance can reduce your risk of safety hazards and expensive repairs. Maintenance can also help you keep your utility bills in check. At Potts Electric in St. Louis, our electrical services experts have written this checklist to help you prepare your electrical system for the coming months and protect your family’s safety.
Indoor Electrical Checklist
Start by checking your electrical system indoors by doing the following:
1. Inspect Indoor Outlets
Walk around your home and take a close look at each outlet. Look for the following signs:
- Burn marks
- Melted areas
- Burning smells
- Sparks when you plug something in
- Non-working outlets
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to replace the outlet. Unplug any devices plugged into the bad outlet and schedule an appointment with an electrician at Potts Electric to replace it.
2. Examine Your Electrical Panel
Your home’s electrical panel is your electrical system’s core. All of the power in your home flows through the panel, and its breakers or fuses control the various circuits in your home. Because of this, it’s important to ensure it’s working correctly.
Look for discolorations or burning smells that indicate the panel is overheating. Take a look at wires to see if they are frayed. If you see any damage or experience frequently tripping breakers, it might be time to have your electrical panel upgraded to keep up with your family’s energy demands.
3. Test Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GCFI) Outlets
You likely have GFCI outlets installed in your bathroom, kitchen, garage and laundry room. These outlets protect your family from electrical shock by shutting off when they detect an electrical imbalance.
GCFI outlets have a test button in the middle. Plug something in and press the test button. If it still has power after pressing the button, you should contact an electrician at Potts Electric to replace the affected GCFI outlet. If it properly turns the power off to the outlet, you can restore its power by pressing the reset button.
4. Remove Electrical Hazards
To reduce the risk of electrical fires, you should eliminate electrical hazards that could cause them. Walk around your house and look for the following problems:
- Overloaded outlets
- Damaged power cords
- Cords running under rugs
- Drapes and furniture too close to outlets
- Extension cords used inside
- Appliances not plugged into grounded outlets
If you need to use extension cords to power your devices or appliances, you should consider having an electrician install additional outlets instead. You should never plug in major appliances to an extension cord. If you have several heat-producing devices plugged into one outlet, that is another potential hazard.
5. Check Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Detectors, and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors keep your family safe in the event of a fire or gas leak. You should also check your fire extinguishers to make sure they are ready for use if a fire breaks out.
To test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, press the test button on each one to see if it sounds an alarm. Replace batteries at least once per year. Replace any detectors that are 10 or more years old.
For your fire extinguishers, make sure each one is in a readily-accessible place in areas where a fire might break out. Look for dents or other signs of damage, and check the pressure gauge to make sure each is fully charged. If it’s in the red, you need to either replace or recharge it. Fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10 years.
6. Clean Indoor Light Fixtures
Bugs are attracted to light and often get trapped inside light fixtures. While you’re checking everything, clean your indoor fixtures to get rid of dead bugs and dust. Accumulated dust and debris around electrical components can increase fire risks. Replace any bulbs that are burned out.
Outdoor Electrical Checklist
Once you have completed your indoor checklist, it’s time to head outdoors. Complete the following tasks:
7. Check Outdoor Outlets
Inspect your outdoor outlets to look for damage or rust from being exposed to the elements. Make certain each outlet’s cover seals properly and isn’t cracked or broken. The covers are waterproof and prevent water from entering the outlets. Test your outdoor outlets to make sure they’re working properly. Replace any outlets that are damaged or non-working.
8. Clean Outdoor Light Fixtures
Take a look at each outdoor light fixture. Clean dead bugs and dirt out of them, and replace any dead bulbs.
9. Attend to Trees
Check your trees to ensure they aren’t growing too close to your power lines. If you see any limbs close to or overhanging power lines, prune them. Tree limbs can fall during storms and could cause a power outage. You might also consider removing a tree if it’s growing too close to your lines.
10. Check Outdoor Extension Cords
If you use outdoor extension cords, check them for damage. They should not be frayed and not cracked. Replace any damaged outdoor cords. Check to see if your cords are rated for outdoor use. Only use them in areas where they won’t be exposed to water.
Consider Electrical Upgrades
While you’re making sure your electrical system is working properly, you might also consider upgrades, such as the following options:
- New electrical panel if yours is old or insufficient
- LED bulbs instead of incandescents
- Whole-home surge protection to protect your system against power surges
- A backup generator to keep the power on during storms or other outages
These upgrades can improve your electrical system’s efficiency and help it keep up with your electrical demands.
Schedule Electrical Maintenance
It’s smart to schedule annual maintenance for your electrical system. Our electricians can check everything to make sure it’s working properly and replace worn components. Our inspections and maintenance can keep your electrical system operating efficiently.
Our family-owned company proudly serves the greater St. Louis metro area and offers extensive electrical services, including electrical repairs, generators, whole-home surge protection, residential electrical services, new construction, electrical panels, commercial electrical services, upgraded wiring, car chargers, smart home services, and more. We are fully licensed and always work safely and efficiently to deliver the results you want for an affordable price.
To learn more about our electrical services and to schedule an appointment, contact us at Potts Electric in St. Louis today!
