Goodbye Winter, hello Spring!

Springtime brings us into another beautiful season of “April showers bring May flowers” but that isn’t all the springtime season brings. 

Spring cleaning has been a long lived tradition. Back when homes were heated by burning wood or coal during the winter months,

the walls of the dwelling would become soiled with soot and in need of cleaning. In an earlier, dirtier era; a thorough spring cleaning was a

common necessity. Today, this tradition lives on as an annual time of purification and renewal.

Or as the saying goes…

“Out with the old, in with the New!”

This time of year, folks in San Antonio and South Texas are gearing up for the  annual cleaning out their closets, garden beds, planting new gardens, family gatherings, pool maintenance…etc. We see a lot of home improvement projects in San Antonio during spring as well.

We here at Bolt Electric in San Antonio; thought to compile a small list of Spring Cleaning electrical safety tips you might consider during your yearly springtime cleaning activities.

1: Exterior Electrical:

·        Springtime means sunshine and sunshine means you’ll want to spend more time outdoors, so it’s a great time to start inspecting any outdoor wiring and electrical appliances that are around your home while you’re out there. Checking any outdoor lighting will also come in handy. Make certain to check on your exterior light fixtures or security lighting, so any evening activities are well lit.

·        If you have a Spa or swimming pool, you should make time to perform a visual inspection of any wiring/ electrical cords; just to be certain everything is maintained and in good working order; as well as cleaning any debris, such as leaves or dirt from the area.  Another safety tip is to make certain all of your electrical connections to your pools and hot tubs are fully grounded as well, to be safe and up to the current electrical code.

·        Spring and lawn care go hand in hand! If you’re using electrical equipment such as lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, or any other electrical tools to clean up your garden, ensure they’re safe and ready to use before putting them to work. And always remember, never plug in any appliance if you notice cord damage of any kind. Performing a quick inspection for any damages like frayed cords or loose wiring; and taking the steps to make the necessary repairs; will keep you safe while you’re working on your outdoor projects.

·        You should also check any exterior outlets/ receptacles to make certain they are in good condition for use. You should make certain they are GFCI protected outlets, and that they have a weatherproof covering to keep any moisture out. Remember, electricity and water do not mix!

·        If you’re planning on any big yard projects that require any digging or trenching, you should make certain to locate any buried wires/ piping / gas lines / or water mains. A quick call to your Utility Companies, and they will send out a professional to survey the areas you would need to avoid for any digging; to avoid any buried lines/ water mains etc.

·        And, don’t forget those overhead electrical lines when you’re trimming your trees! Make certain you check that out before getting up there to cut any unruly limbs or you just might get the shock of your life! Safety First!

·        Inspecting your outdoor extension cords is also a must! Discard any cords that show damage by way of fraying or nicks…etc, and always make sure you’re using Outdoor Rated Extension Cords for outdoor usage, as these cords are made for outdoor usage.

2: Interior Electrical:

·        While cleaning out those closets, you should set aside some time to check on your interior outlets/ receptacles to make certain they are in good working order as well. Since 2020, electrical code states that all “wet” areas of the dwelling; require outlets/ receptacles to be GFCI protected. These should be tested as well. The test and reset buttons on the GFCI outlet; are there to make sure the outlet is in working condition. The last thing you want is for something to be wrong with a GFCI outlet, which in turn could remove the safety mechanism that can help prevent deadly shocks from occurring. Checking on your switches for functionality is also a good thing.

·        Checking the wiring on all of your plug in appliances, both large and small is also something you should consider, just to make certain any cords that plug into an outlet are in good condition with no damage to the cord, or the cord end. And while you’re checking on appliance cords; sprucing up the areas behind your larger appliances; such as refrigerators, Ranges, Washers/ Dryers…etc, will clear out any debris or dust that can be making your appliance work harder than it needs to.

·        Testing any Power strips/ Plug in Surge Protectors or Extension Cords are also a great idea. Make certain you’re not overloading them, and that they are not nailed or stapled to any walls or run under rugs or carpet, and out of the way of high-traffic areas. Check for frays or nicks and never use an outdoor rated extension cord indoors. They do make them for indoor use for a reason.

·        Make sure all your electrical outlets are snug, with no loose-fitting plugs that could potentially become a fire hazard. You will also want to check for loose or broken outlet or switch plates, as any broken or damaged plates should be replaced. This will keep any wiring components within the outlet from any debris or from becoming loose and causing shocks, or worse!

We hope this Spring Cleaning electrical safety checklist helps you and your family to have both an enjoyable and safe springtime season!

At Bolt Electric, our experienced and licensed electricians in San Antonio can assist you with any basic electrical repairs, such as non-functioning Switches and Outlets. We can also assist with installations of New Lighting Products, New Outlets/ Receptacles,

as well as adding Specialty Outlets/ Receptacles; such as Electric Vehicle Charger Receptacles. 

Bolt Electric in San Antonio can also install Whole Home Surge Protection! This is also part of the new Electrical Code, and adds as extra layer of protection to keep those pesky electrical surges from going throughout the circuits in your home; and potentially ruining your appliances and sensitive electrical devices. For more information on Whole Home Surge Protection:

https://www.boltelectricsa.com/lighting-strikes-and-power-surges-oh-my

Our experienced and licensed electricians in San Antonio are here to help you with your electrical maintenance and repair needs.

Please let us know if we can help you! Our friendly office staff are awaiting your call! We can’t wait to work with you!

BOLT ELECTRIC, LLC

18847 Redland Road, Suite 105

San Antonio, Texas 78249

(210) 545-BOLT (2658)