If you deal with plumbing clogs on a regular basis, you might find yourself struggling with bent wire hangers, chemical drain cleaner, and unfamiliar pipes. Unfortunately, unless you are a trained professional, all of your efforts might be in vain. Most people don't realize it, but it is possible to damage your plumbing by making a few missteps. If you use the wrong chemicals or you push a little too hard, you might end up dealing with damaged pipes or your clogging problem could get worse. Fortunately, you might be able to use this blog to help you to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.
Winterizing your home requires more than shutting the windows and turning on the furnace. Your electrical system often sees heavy use during the cold months, so you need to take steps to make sure it is functional and safe.
1. Exposed Exterior Wiring
Summer can be hard on your home's outdoor electrical system. Summer storms or just dry rot from the sun can cause wiring covers to break or degrade. Once winter comes, with harsher temperatures and often more moisture, the exposed wires can pose a safety issue. An electrician can inspect your exterior wiring for degradation and weathering, and then perform any necessary repairs or replacements to ensure everything is safe going into winter.
2. Overloaded Outlets
Activities move indoors once the mercury begins to drop in winter. This means that many households use more electricity during winter. Whether it's from increased tech use, leaving on lamps, or using space heaters, outlets can become overloaded. Plugging in power strips should not be considered a solution, since this can overload circuits and lead to problems. If you find yourself with fewer outlets than you need, bring in an electrician to install more properly grounded outlets.
3. Furnace Issues
For homes with electric heating, the furnace draws a lot of electricity. It should be on its own dedicated circuit so it doesn't interfere with anything else in your home. If the lights flicker when the furnace pops on, there is a wiring issue. An electrician can inspect the electrical system and install a dedicated circuit if need be. They can also verify that the wiring inside the furnace is in good condition or make repairs if needed.
4. Holiday Lighting Safety
For many families, putting up a large holiday light display is a fun tradition, but you don't want to burn your house down in the process. If you are planning to put up more than a string or two of lights, bring in an electrician. They can install weatherproof exterior outlets on your home or in your yard, which will ensure that your system can handle the increased electrical load. This also means fewer cords crisscrossing your property, which can be a hazard.
5. Flickering Fixtures
During the summer months, you may find yourself rarely using the overhead light fixtures, but as the days get shorter the lights will be on more and more. If these fixtures flicker or make strange buzzing noises, there is likely a short in the wiring. Instead of chancing an electrical fire, have the fixtures inspected and repaired as needed.
Contact an electrical service to make sure your electrical system is ready for the cold season.
Share21 October 2020
