TOP 3 TIPS EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW WHEN SUMMER STORMS ROLL IN
The most serious threat to your appliances and other electronics is a summer thunderstorm — or more precisely, the sudden blackouts and power surges that lightning can cause, and the high water raised by floods. If you haven't done anything to protect your equipment against this threat, now it's time. As you know, a severe storm can spawn lightning and floods often in Florida’s summer season. The damage caused by high winds, heavy rains, hail, and lightning can be devastating. Knowing what to do when they arrive is critical. The tips you’ll find in this article will go a long way toward protecting your home, your family and your possessions. The only catch is — you have to act on them!
TIP #1: LIGHTNING, POWER SPIKES CAN DAMAGE HOME APPLIANCES AND OTHER ELECTRONICS
Lightning can cause all kinds of trouble for your appliances and other electronic devices. Most power supplies can take care of small, normal fluctuations in line voltage. The problem is a sudden spike that can do serious damage to your home equipment. This is most likely to happen when the voltage returns after a power disruption — and it may happen repeatedly if the electricity comes back, goes out, and comes back again. But surges can also happen in a home when a refrigerator, air conditioner or some other appliance on the same circuit cycles on.
Although it sounds like a lot of work, one way to protect your home appliances and electronics is to simply unplug them. That is, unless you have a good surge suppressor on each one.
The first line of protection for a high-definition television or any expensive appliance is the surge suppressor to add a second layer of protection as the “whole-house” armor. Coupled with individual protectors, there’s no better way to prevent damage from electrical spikes. Surge suppressors usually sold in power strips with four or more outlets, these devices divert surges to the ground wire of your home or office. Better units also filter and condition the power to protect your equipment from smaller glitches and burps that can damage it over time.
TIP #2: FLOODING CAN DAMAGE POSSESSIONS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
Check to see that the main electric panel, board electric outlets, switches, light sockets, baseboard heaters, and wiring are above flood waters. They should be at least twelve inches above projected flood elevation for your home. You might want to have electric service lines where they enter the home at least twelve inches above the projected flood waters too. There are products you can purchase that won’t necessarily stop flooding, but let you know about it before it does major damage. You can also install equipment that will cut off the supply of water into your house if it senses a problem caused by a leak in your house.
When dealing with any electrical work it should be done by a licensed electrician. Washer and dryers can be protected by shallower waters. You can place them on masonry or pressure-treated lumber or move them to a higher floor. Building a flood wall around the appliances can also help to protect them. Placing water heaters, furnaces, outside air conditioning compressors, heat pumps, and package units on masonry or concrete can help reduce the risk of them being damaged.
You can also look into having a sewer backflow valve installed. This can prevent the event of sewage backup in your home and you can end up having unsanitary water pushed back into the house. If you’re home has a sump pump in your basement to extract the rising water, you want to make sure it’s properly maintained so it will function properly when needed. A licensed plumber can install a backflow valve and make sure it’s in peak condition. When doing this work make sure to follow state and local building codes.
TIP #3: AFTER THE STORM, THERE ARE STILL SAFETY AND COMFORT ISSUES TO CONSIDER.
Mid-Atlantic residents, particularly during a busy summer hurricane season, are encouraged to buy a permanent generator set that could make all the difference in the world in the absence of surge suppressors.
While waiting for electricity to come back on, keep your appliances unplugged so the sudden surge doesn’t damage them. This is another instance where a protective surge suppressor will reduce the risk of damage and save you a lot of time and effort.
Check to be sure rising water, wind or lightning hasn’t damaged any of your utility services. Check for fire in and around your home.
You should also take a look at your central air conditioning system to make sure it’s in good working order. It can be damaged by flying debris, and at the very least may need to have some coil fins straightened out. Mid-Atlantic Carrier Dealers will evaluate your air conditioning system inside and outside your home and make sure it has not been zapped by lightning or damaged raising water and debris.