Key takeaways:
- Tornadoes can damage your home and electrical infrastructure.
- Limit damages by having a pro inspect your electrical systems before storm season.
- Have a storm action checklist handy.
- Call W3 Electric for emergency repairs after a tornado.
In Rowlett, TX, tornado season runs from March throughearly June. These devastating storms can cause expensive damage to your property, and we recommend taking a few steps to protect your electrical systems.
How Can Tornadoes Damage Your Home’s Electrical Infrastructure?
A tornado can cause damage on different levels:
- High winds and falling debris can damage panels, wiring, and appliances.
- If flooding happens, water can corrode important components and damage exposed wiring.
- Falling tree branches can damage your service line and your utility mast.
- Lightning and grid instability often lead to power surges. These surges can fry appliances and electronics.
There are a few things you can do to limit damage from tornadoes.
Inspect Your Electrical Systems Before Storm Season
Is your electrical infrastructure ready for storm season? Here’s how you can tell:
- You should have GFCI and AFCI outlets to protect your home from water damage and arcing.
- Surge protection at the panel level can absorb excess voltage in case of a lightning strike or grid instability.
- Making sure your panel, wiring, and outlets are up to code is also important.
- Loose connections, damaged wiring, and any exposed components should be repaired before storm season.
- If you have outdoor outlets, they should be weatherproof and water-resistant.
- It’s also a good idea to trim any tree branches that could fall on your home during a storm.
The best way to make sure your home is ready for tornado season is to schedule an electrical inspection. A licensed electrician will inspect your panel, wiring, and other components for signs of wear and tear, loose connections, and other issues.
They’ll recommend a few repairs that will make your home more resilient in case of a tornado and can help bring your electrical systems up to code for a safer home.
What About Backup Power?
Once you’ve made sure your home is protected from electrical damage in case of a tornado, you should look into backup power.
The power grid often goes out during severe weather events, and restoring power can take days if the damage is extensive.
You can keep the lights on and power a few essential appliances and electronics with a whole-home battery or backup generator. These systems can be integrated into your home’s electrical infrastructure for an automated backup solution, and you have full control over which circuits you want to power if you add a smart load management solution.
It’s something an electrician in Rowlett can discuss with you during an electrical inspection. After checking your electrical infrastructure, they’ll be able to recommend a standby power solution that makes sense for your needs and discuss any necessary upgrades to connect this solution to your infrastructure.
Your Storm Action Checklist
Keep this checklist handy during Rowlett’s storm season:
- Monitor weather alerts and tornado warnings closely.
- Charge your phone and other important devices early if severe weather is expected.
- Secure outdoor items that could damage your home.
- Know where your main panel is, and which breaker controls power for the entire home.
- Locate the emergency disconnect switch for your home if you have one.
- Review emergency contacts, including your utility and electrician. You can contact Oncor Electric at 888-313-4747 and call W3 Electric for emergency repairs at 972-793-0733.
- Unplug sensitive appliances and electronics ahead of a storm.
- If you have a generator or a backup battery, run a test.
- Write down emergency contacts and keep a copy of important documents in a waterproof folder.
Need an Emergency Electrician in Rowlett, TX? Call W3 Electric
W3 Electric is a local electrician in Rowlett, TX. We’re here to handle emergency repairs year-round, including during storm season.
Give us a call at 972-793-0733 to schedule an electrical inspection before storm season or for emergency repairs.
FAQ
How can tornadoes damage my home’s electrical system?
Tornadoes can damage panels, wiring, outlets, appliances, and service lines through high winds, flying debris, flooding, and lightning-related surges. These issues can create safety hazards and lead to costly repairs.
What should I do before tornado season starts in Rowlett?
Schedule a licensed electrical inspection before storm season begins. An electrician can look for loose connections, outdated components, exposed wiring, and other issues that could become worse during severe weather.
Why is an electrical inspection important before tornado season in Texas?
An inspection helps catch problems early and can improve your home’s ability to handle storms. It also gives you a chance to bring your system up to code and reduce the risk of damage or outages.
