When you think of home security you likely think of alarms to alert you to home invasions, or sensor lights to warn you of movement outside your property. While these are both very important components of home security, comprehensive and automated home security goes far beyond burglary monitoring systems. We can also alert you to—and protect your home from—natural elements such as flooding and extreme temperature changes with temperature and flood monitoring.

Flood monitoring is an alarm device that is integrated into your comprehensive home security system. Flood sensors can not only activate a local alarm, but can also notify a central station that is monitoring that residential alarm 24/7.

Flood damage is actually among the most common homeowner insurance claims, as well as one of the most expensive. A water sensor can not only detect water coming from a flood due to inclement weather, but also that from plumbing systems. In fact, there are flood sensors available that will automatically shut off your water if your pipes break open.

You can place flood sensors near all your major plumbing fixtures or even in your attic in order to detect a leaky roof. Undetected leaks, and floods, can lead to the development of mold, mildew, and other contaminants that can be harmful to your home and to your health. Additionally, flood damage can result in ruined carpets, warped wood floors and furniture, damaged cabinetry, and more.

Other areas of your home that can benefit from flood sensor placement include your basement, bathroom or laundry room. Most of these flood detectors include an external component and can operate as a temperature sensor as well. This allows them to function in cold environments.

If you are a fan of a certain holiday movie that focuses on one man’s goal to have the brightest house in the neighborhood, you probably remember the web of electric wires and cords that posed a serious risk. In the movie, it was funny. In real life, it is no joke. It can be deadly or at the very least cause a home fire that could destroy everything and even spread to other homes in the neighborhood. Electricity should always be handled with the utmost care explains an electrician in Santa Monica. The team at The Electric Connection has a few tips to ensure your holiday lights do not cause a blackout or a fire.

1. Check the cords before you wrap them around a tree or put them outside. Make sure there are no broken areas that expose the wiring and could let moisture in. 5. Keep the number of strands you connect together to a minimum. Ideally, you should never connect more than three strands.

Your Santa Monica electrician suggests you invest in LEDs that are very bright, but use very little electricity. This is a way for you to get the full effect of a thousand lights, but only have to use a few hundred that use the energy of maybe 100. Your electric bill and your house’s power will thank you. You will also feel safer knowing you are not creating an electrical hazard. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you need extra outlets installed or have other questions.

Generators can serve as literal lifesavers in the event of an emergency—providing power, light, and heat whenever a disaster strikes. But to be able to do its job, it has to be ready to go right when the situation demands it. This means making sure it’s well maintained, and repaired quickly when service is needed. Of course, this also means that you need to know when your generator needs repair service. Keep reason for 3 reasons that this may be the case.

When our electrical professionals inspect your generator, they’ll take a close look at your wiring, buttons, and any other electrical components. If any of these show a sign of damage, then the unit likely needs to be repaired.

Indications can include frayed wires, loose connectors, buttons that stay stuck when you press them, or electrical overloads that shut the generator down at improper times. Additionally, the voltage on the generator battery needs to be tested to make sure it’s not in disrepair.

The longer your generator lasts, the more likely it is to develop a leak from a hose, a line, or storage pan. Leaks can include oil or fuel—depending on the type of generator you own—in addition to coolant designed to keep the engine block from overheating. Check around the appliance for puddles and be sure to give us a call if you notice any.

If you’re lucky, you won’t have to use your generator for years (but it’s great to have that peace of mind when you do need it!) Unfortunately, however, when generators sit for a long time without being used, the battery can be drained, and other parts of the engine can start to fall into disrepair. This can be avoided by investing in yearly generator maintenance.

Planning on some home remodeling in Arlington in the near future? You might want to consult your friendly neighborhood electrician (that’s us!) about some points of critical importance. Why? Because remodeling, inevitably, will almost always include a measure of electrical work. And in Arlington, no one knows electrical work like the certified electricians at Kolb Electric!

In fact, we get quite a few queries on a regular basis about remodeling and how it may impact the electricity in your home. And today, we bring you the most common questions residents ask our Arlington electricians, and their answers.

We got loads of questions. But luckily for all of us,providing answers and solutions is what we do, and we love every minute of it! Some of our most asked include:

Need a certified electrician to assist with your remodel? Our team boasts all of the skill, experience, and technology needed to ensure your energy needs are totally met! If you’ve got more questions, our Arlington electricians will be happy to provide answers. Just contact us online!