Better Home Service Starts Here

When the power goes out, you want to rest easy knowing that your generator is going to keep your home’s power up and running. You should be able to trust your generator to work without thinking about weather or utility outages so you can go about your day. But to keep your generator in good working order, you need generator maintenance in Wytheville.

The Wytheville electricians at Wythe Home Services are always here to offer all of the service you need for generators in Virginia. We can also offer some pro tips on DIY generator maintenance to help you make the most of your investment. Here’s how to get started.

1) Look Over the Exterior of Your Generator

Before you do anything else to maintain your home generator, the first step is a visual inspection. If you have a Generac or Kohler home generator, check to see that a green light is on, indicating no major issues with your unit. A red light means there’s an issue and you should call one of Wythe Home Services generator techs. We’ll take a look and perform any generator repair in Wytheville you need.

Check to see that the area around your generator is free of any vegetation or overgrowth. Growing weeds should be removed before they get out of control or start encroaching around your generator. You should also clear away large pieces of debris and rocks to ensure it’s running smoothly and not compromised.

2) Remove Any Vegetation or Debris

Check to see that the area around your generator is free of any vegetation or overgrowth. Growing weeds should be removed before they get out of control or start growing up around your generator. You should also clear away large pieces of debris and rocks to ensure it’s running smoothly and not compromised.

3) Change Your Air Filter

Once you’ve cleared out any vegetation and debris, turn to your generator’s air filter. Just like an air conditioning filter needs to be changed, so do your home generators. A clean filter helps protect your generator’s engine from premature wear and tear and unnecessary repairs. Your generator will work more reliably and keep your home powered up during an outage or inclement weather.

4) Swap Out Your Spark Plugs

Your car’s engine relies on spark engines, and so does your home generator. Depending on the make, model, and size of your unit, you may have one or two spark plugs in your generator. After about a year, these crucial pieces need to be replaced. If you’ve never dealt with spark plugs before, call the experts at Wythe Home Services to maintain your generator and keep it running as efficiently as possible.

5) Look Over the Interior of Your Generator

Take a good look at the inside of your generator to look for corrosion or other issues. It should look dry, clean, and organized. It’s an easy step and can be done several times a year to ensure nothing is amiss. The sooner you spot an issue, the sooner a tech from Wythe Home Services can take care of the problem before it turns into a costly and complicated repair. 

6) Drain Your Oil

If you have an electric generator repair service, you can skip over these steps regarding oil. Start your generator and let it run for about five minutes for the oil to heat up. It ensures everything is working efficiently and makes the drainage process easier. Just like you change out the oil in your car regularly, you also need to do the same with your generator. After the oil is warmed up, you can drain it from the motor. Use an approved container and make sure you dispose of the oil appropriately.

7) Change Your Oil Filter

Once your generator oil is drained, move onto the filter. Failing to swap out the filter can cause clogs and keep oil from passing into the engine to keep your generator running smoothly. As a rule of thumb, your generator’s oil should be changed after about every 50 hours of use. Grab your manual and take a look at best practices, as how often you change the filter can depend on the make, model, and size of your generator.

8) Add New Oil

Once the filter is replaced, it’s time to add your new oil. Depending on your unit and what your manual says, you’ll probably need a synthetic 5W-30 product. If you’re still not sure, call the team at Wythe Home Services to service your generator and talk you through the process. You should also run your generator for a few minutes to ensure the oil is circulating through your system.

9) Check On Your Transfer Switch

Your generator’s transfer switch is vital for connecting your generator to the equipment you want to power.  If your switch isn’t working properly, you’ll need to manually connect your generator to the equipment you want to power up. Generators with more than 5,000 watts need a transfer switch for safety and to help keep surges and back-feeding from your electrical grid. Look over your transfer switch to make sure there’s no damage or exposed wiring that needs immediate attention. 

Schedule Your Generator Maintenance Today with Wythe Home Services

Generators offer convenience and peace of mind for you and your family. Owners of generators in Virginia want them to work seamlessly without having to worry about whether or not they’ll automatically connect to your home and keep everything running. Make sure your generator is always ready to go and in good working condition with periodic generator maintenance. The team at Wythe Home Services is your go-to source for generator services, including generator maintenance in Wytheville, repairs, installation, and more. Call us today to schedule your generator service!