Many homeowners are starting to have backup generators at the home in case of power outages that occur for one reason or another. It always seems that these outages occur at the worst possible times such as in the deep winter or high summer. The only thing worse than a power outage occurring, is knowing that you have a backup generator that does not operate as it should at the worst possible moment.
Sadly, many people have these installed and then automatically assume that it will always be ready to run when they need it most. The fact is, without regular maintenance and checkups, chances are, the generator WILL NOT be ready when you need it most. The other side of that sad situation, is that it does not take much to keep it serviced properly and ready to run when you do need it most. The checks should be done at least monthly.
Just a few simple things will ensure your generator is running properly at all times:
- Checking around the generator looking for any sign of leakage.
- Checking wiring for any sign of damage or cracking.
- Open doors and control panels if any, to check for signs of wildlife or bugs making their homes within the confines of the generator.
After making your checks, when you determine that there may be an issue with your home generator, you will need to call in a professional to have your concerns evaluated and if necessary, repairs made.
If you are in the Riverside, California area, there is no one better to call than HandyMan John who can not only complete repairs quickly, if any but he can set you up on a service plan where you won’t even have to worry about the monthly maintenance checks yourself. You can give John a call at 951-462-9349 to set up an appointment today.
Among all the regular maintenance that is covered, the company will check all of your fluid levels on a regular basis such as:
- Fuel – the generator will typically run off diesel fuel. Diesel fuel oxidizes much more quickly than gasoline, so the fuel should never be stored for more than twelve months at a time. Fuel that is stored must include a stabilizer. The fuel filter must be changed regularly.
- Coolant – just like in your car, the cooling system must be maintained properly. An improperly maintained cooling system could result in overheating of the generator, causing significant damage. Cooling level checks are important and part of a regular maintenance program.
- Oil Changes – Again, just like your car, regular oil changes are necessary to properly maintain the engine of the generator and to ensure that it is ready when you need it most.
- Carbon Monoxide – The technician will check to ensure that the generator is venting properly, and not leaving your home and family susceptible to dangerous and deadly fumes.