The Electrical Troubles Gulf Coast Humidity Brings
Outlets behaving in an odd way come muggy Corpus Christi summer? Breakers that are tripping with more frequency of late? One has to ask why a home on the coast is prone to more electrical hiccups than those further inland.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone in your position. We at Mr. Electrician South Texas, LLC have put these very same problems right for our share of homeowners and businesses in Greater Corpus Christi and environs since 2012. Do not hesitate to ring us at (361) 301-4633, day or night.
There are many advantages to making your home near the Gulf but the humidity is not among them. The kind of thick, salty air you get here will do more than frizz your hair; it can insinuate itself into your electrical system and make trouble of a sort that is all too easy to miss till it is of some consequence. Being a local, family run operation we are well acquainted with this coastline and would like to put some of it in perspective for you.
How Humidity Wears Down Your Electrical System
It was a lesson as a child that electricity and moisture are not to be mixed, and the wiring in your walls is no exception. On the coast there is salt in the air as well as water and it hastens corrosion considerably.
But with an understanding of what is at work, you can stave off most of it. In Portland, Calallen, Rockport and other parts of the area we put our finger on these humidity induced issues time and again:
- Outlets and switches that go on the fritz from corrosion
- Terminals in the panel showing rust
- Moisture in the circuits leading to a breaker trip
- A weakened connection and the flickering lights that go with it
- Salt air taking its toll on outdoor fixtures
- GFCI outlets being tripped by ground faults
They are a nuisance to be sure, and if you let them they can become a safety issue.
Corrosion is a Quiet Offender
Along the Gulf Coast you will find corrosion to be the worst of it. Metal connections are slowly consumed by the salt and moisture which leads to resistance and heat. You do not want to see any of that in an electrical box.
It is not something you will spot immediately given it is behind the outlet cover or in the panel. Then again, a warm feeling from an outlet, a plug that will not stay in, even a whiff of burning are tell tale signs. Too often they are disregarded until the outlet gives out altogether.
When GFCI Outlets Have to Work Harder
Humidity may be to blame for the kitchen or bathroom GFCI outlets that seem to trip without end. They are made to cut power at the first sign of moisture in a circuit to guard against shock, which is as it should be. But in the humidity they can be exasperating.
A GFCI that is always tripping is putting out a message. It could be old and oversensitive and in need of a new one, or it may be alerting you to moisture in the line that warrants attention.
Coastal Weather and Outdoor Fixtures
Security lights, pool equipment and the like have to put up with the worst of it. The wind will bring salt spray miles inland to coat everything. Eventually it will compromise the protective covering and make its way to the connections below.
Properly rated and sealed components are the answer. With weatherproof covers, good grounding and an occasional inspection you will not have small things turn into large ones.
Some Things to Consider
The weather is beyond your control but the damage it does is not. A dehumidifier in the garage, keeping outdoor covers in order and having a licensed electrician called in at the first sign of anything amiss are good practices. So too is replacing an outlet before it has the chance to fail and a regular check of the panel for rust.
Should you require a professional, pick someone with a knowledge of the coast. Omar Arispe, our owner, is a native of Corpus Christi and a Master Electrician who knows how the climate here will impact a home.
We are a bilingual team at Mr. Electrician South Texas, LLC, so you will have no trouble getting straight answers. Licensed and insured, we are at the service of families and businesses from Robstown to Port Aransas around the clock. GreenSky financing is available as are discounts for seniors and the military, along with free estimates.
Give us a call at (361) 301-4633 and we will have a look at things, including any wiring in your walls that corrosion may have compromised, before the Gulf Coast humidity gets the better of you.