The short answer
What Causes Summer Power Surges
Summer heat puts heavy demand on the power grid as air conditioners run longer and harder. When demand spikes, the grid can experience brief interruptions or fluctuations. A sudden return of power after a momentary outage can create a surge. Lightning strikes near your home are another common cause, sending a massive voltage spike through power lines.
Surges can also come from inside your home. Large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners can cause small surges when they cycle on and off. These internal surges are usually weaker, but they can still add up over time. Knowing what causes surges helps you understand where to focus your protection efforts.
How Surges Affect Your Home's Wiring
A power surge forces more electricity through your home's wiring than it was designed to handle. This extra current can overheat wires, especially in older homes or where wiring is already worn. Overheated wires can damage insulation and create a fire hazard. In severe cases, a surge can cause arcing, which is a dangerous spark inside your walls.
Surge damage to wiring is not always visible. You might not notice a problem until a wall outlet stops working or a circuit breaker trips repeatedly. If you suspect surge damage, a professional inspection can check the condition of your wiring and identify any hidden issues.
Look for discolored outlets or a burning smell near wall plates
Check for warm outlets or switch plates after a surge
Notice if circuit breakers trip more often than usual
Listen for buzzing sounds from outlets or panels
Inspect visible wiring for cracked or melted insulation
Damage to Electronics and Appliances
Electronics are the most vulnerable to power surges. A sudden spike can fry circuit boards, damage power supplies, and corrupt data. Computers, televisions, gaming consoles, and smart home devices are all at risk. Appliances with electronic controls, such as modern refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, can also suffer damage.
When an appliance's control board fails, it might stop working completely or behave erratically. A damaged refrigerator could fail to keep food cold, while a faulty washing machine could leak water onto your floor. That leak can lead to water damage in your home, which is why surge protection is also a water damage prevention step.
Water Damage from Surge-Affected Appliances
A power surge can damage the internal parts of water-using appliances. For example, a surge could cause a washing machine's water inlet valve to stick open, leading to a slow or fast leak. A dishwasher's control board could fail, leaving it to run when you are not home. Even a water heater's thermostat can be affected, causing it to overheat or leak.
These leaks often go unnoticed for a while, especially if they happen behind the appliance or in a crawl space. By the time you notice, water may have soaked into floors, walls, and cabinets. If that happens, you need to act quickly to dry the area and prevent mold growth. A water damage cleanup can help remove standing water and dry out affected materials.
How to Protect Your Home
You can reduce surge risk by using surge protectors for your electronics and appliances. Plug computers, TVs, and other sensitive devices into a quality surge protector. For major appliances, consider a whole-home surge protector installed at your electrical panel. That device can help absorb larger surges before they reach your wiring.
If your home does suffer water damage from an appliance after a surge, you have options. A water damage assessment can help you understand the extent of the damage. Then, water damage repair services can address the affected areas. If you live in Mesa, keep your shutoff valve location written down so you can stop a leak quickly.
Unplug sensitive electronics during a known storm
Use surge protectors for computers and entertainment systems
Install a whole-home surge protector at the panel
Know where your main water shutoff valve is located
Check appliances for leaks after a surge event
Dry any wet areas within 24 to 48 hours
Talk to someone now
Water keeps spreading into floors and walls, so it is worth acting early. Calls are answered 24/7.
Call Now (480) 898-4279Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a power surge damaged my appliances?
Look for signs like a device that stops working, flickering lights, or a burning smell from an outlet. Check for error codes on appliance displays. If an appliance leaks water or makes odd noises, a surge may have damaged its controls. A professional inspection can confirm the cause.
Will a surge protector protect my whole home?
A standard surge protector only protects devices plugged into it. For whole-home protection, you need a surge protector installed at your main electrical panel. That device can help block larger surges from entering your home's wiring. It does not fully protect against a direct lightning strike, but it helps.
What should I do if an appliance leaks water after a surge?
Turn off the water supply to that appliance right away. Shut off the main water valve if needed. Dry the area as quickly as possible to prevent mold. Then, contact a water damage professional to assess and clean up the damage. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.