Common Electrical Concerns in the Winter

Today, we'll go over some common electrical concerns people have in the winter and demonstrate how to handle them.

Every winter, we get calls regarding electrical items not functioning the way they should be in the home. Today, we will go over what a few of these electrical items are and how to handle them if they malfunction.

The first item we’ll talk about is a ground fault circuit interrupter, or a GFCI. These outlets are unique because they sense moisture or water and shut off automatically when in contact with them. These outlets can be found in almost every room of your home. A GFCI will have a test and a reset button on the main outlet, and there might be a series of other outlets tied to that. For example, if you have your reset GFCI in the master bathroom, all of your other bathrooms are tied to that outlet. If an outlet isn’t working in a hall bathroom, look for the reset in the master bathroom. If you are outside and have no power to an outlet, the reset for that is generally found in the basement, storage room, or utility area. You can see an example of a GFCI reset in the video above.

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 Your Christmas lights might be causing your breakers to trip.

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The second item we’ll go over is an arc fault circuit interrupter, or an AFCI. The purpose of an AFCI, which is required by code, is to detect any arcs or sparks in the circuitry. So, if there is anything cut or nicked and it arcs or sparks, the AFCI will cause that breaker to trip, or shut off, before a fire or any hazards appear. A potential problem we run into is that some devices use the arc or spark effect to run, such as a corded drill which has brushes that turn and cause the arc to spark. That is an intentional part of that device in order to propel the motor, but the breaker doesn’t have the recognition to determine if that’s good or bad, so it just shuts the drill off. So, when using different items in your home, you can experience the breaker randomly shutting off. Some of those items are vacuums, blenders, and of course, the electric drills.

As we move into the holiday season, we see a lot of people installing lights on their house. Those lights have a tendency to trip the AFCI breakers, so keep that in mind over the next few months. If you see a trip with those breakers, there’s a good chance the Christmas lights are causing it.

If a breaker is tripped, you need to know how to reset it. Of course, you’ll need to go down to your control panel and find the AFCI breakers. These typically have green on them. To test one, push the white button, and it will trip the breaker. To turn it back on, push it all the way off, and then pull it back all the way on. It’s important not to just try to flip it back on. You need to push it all the way off first and hear the rest click, otherwise it will just move to the center. Make sure you hear that reset click, then pull it back on. You can see this demonstrated in the video above.

So, it is possible that your breakers will trip from time to time. Some electronics can cause that to happen, as well as the items discussed earlier. Even static electricity can trip a breaker. However, if the same breaker is getting tripped over and over again, first check your device, and make sure that isn’t the issue. If it’s not, that would be the time to send in for a warranty. Just make sure to keep in mind that breaker trips are very common, and resetting them should be your first step.    

If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to us with a phone call or a quick email. We look forward to hearing from you!

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If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our eight new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.

Some Quick, Helpful Tips for Maintaining Your New Home This Winter

If you have a new home, it will start to lose moisture after a few years.
In the cold, you need that moisture to keep your home structurally sound.

When you buy one of our new homes, there is typically a lot of moisture in the home at first and it takes a while for it to dry out. However, by the second or third winter you have in the home, things will start to dry out. It’s important that you are aware of this and that you take steps to control the humidity in your home during the winter. We’ve got some things for you to look out for today that will assist you in the process.

The first thing to look out for is the settling, or drying out, of your drywall, your trim, and your wood floors. When it gets colder, the wood will start to shrink and you might see a little gap in some of the floorboards. If you have a wood floor, you don’t want your moisture reading to be any lower than 45%. If it is, you may have to invest in a humidifier.

Another thing to keep in mind in the winter is to make sure you turn on those exhaust fans when you shower. Their purpose is to help eliminate moisture content in the house. The excess humidity that comes from hot water isn’t good for the materials in your home. Too much humidity can cause damage if it sticks around too long. Let that exhaust fan run for an extra 15 minutes after you turn the shower off.

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Wood tends to dry out

and shrink in the winter.

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As the weather turns colder, you’ll also start to see some shrinkage cracks on your tile and backsplash on the counters. The backsplash has a caulked joint that can separate a bit as things dry out. You might also see some hairline cracks at the top of your ceiling. Doors may stick or rub a bit. The key to combatting this is controlling that humidity level in your home.

Finally, let’s talk about your HVAC system. The warmest areas in your home will be the areas nearest to the furnace, or the upstairs if you have a two-story home. The rooms that are furthest away from the furnace will be cooler in the winter months. As a homeowner, you will need to fine-tune and tweak the system to your liking and needs. You can close vents in some of the warmer areas to allow air to move to other parts of the home.

If you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? 

If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our eight new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.

Is Your Home Ready for Winter Weather?

Winter is almost here, so it’s time to go outside and make sure that the exterior of your home is ready for the cold weather. Today, we’ll go over our top winterizing tips for you.

Today, we’ll go over a few things you should take care of on the exterior of your home before winter weather hits. For example, as temperatures get cooler, you need to drain your sprinklers. You can do that yourself, but we recommend having someone professionally winterize them. They will come out with a compressor and blow out all of the water in the pipes so that none of it freezes. When water freezes in pipes, the pipes expand and burst, which can cause major water damage. You should also make sure to disconnect your hoses. Failing to do so could lead to water damage. While you’re outside taking care of that, you can even put down some winter fertilizer. Most people aerate and fertilize their lawns during the fall, but putting down a winter fertilizer will get your lawn totally ready for spring. Check your caulking and the condition of your concrete. Caulking prevents excess water from going beneath the concrete slabs in your walkways or driveway. In the winter, that water can freeze and lift up the concrete slabs. Fresh caulking will help you prevent that problem.

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Use sand or pea gravel instead

of de-icing agents on your walkways.

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You should also seal your driveway to protect it from the de-icing agents applied by the city road crews. Your car’s tires will collect road salt and deposit it in the driveway, which can create pitting in your driveway. Sealant will also protect your driveway from oil spills and extra moisture from winter snows and spring rains.

When it does snow, it is incredibly important that you remove snow from your driveway quickly, or you will risk damaging the concrete. Don’t use salt or de-icing agents on your walkways. Instead, use some sand, pea gravel, or kitty litter to prevent people from slipping on your sidewalk.

As you tour the exterior of your home, check your exhaust and fresh air intakes to make sure they are free and clear of any obstructions, like bird nests. If you have a fireplace, make sure that the fireplace vent is clean as well.

Finally, pay attention to the exterior caulking on your home. Caulking can shrink and separate over the years. Seal them up to keep your home warm and lower your energy bills during the winter months.

If you have any other questions about preparing your home for winter, just give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Know anyone who's interested in building a home? 

If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who are looking to own their first or second home - would you forward this message to them? We'll be happy to show them our eight new construction home plans along with the benefits of owning a Charleston Home so they can make a decision that's right for them.