Your home’s electrical system has a lot of parts working together. Most of them are inside your house where you can see them. But there’s one important piece that sits outside, and a lot of homeowners don’t even know it exists until something goes wrong. It’s called a weather head, and it’s your responsibility to take care of it.
Understanding what a weather head does and how to maintain it can help you avoid electrical problems and keep your home safe. Let’s break down what you need to know about this critical component.
What Is a Weather Head?
A weather head is the connection point where power lines from the street meet your home’s electrical wiring. You’ll find it on the outside of your house, usually near where the power lines come in. It’s also sometimes called a service head.
The main job of a weather head is to keep water out of your electrical system. It’s designed with a special shape that directs rain and moisture away from the wires. Without it, water could get into your electrical connections, which can cause shorts, fires, or complete system failures.
Think of it like a roof for your electrical connection. Just like your roof keeps water out of your house, the weather head keeps water out of your electrical system. It’s a simple but essential piece of equipment.
Why This Is Your Responsibility
Here’s something that surprises many homeowners: the utility company isn’t responsible for your weather head. Once the power lines reach your property, everything from the weather head down to your electrical panel is your responsibility to maintain and repair.
This includes the weather head itself, the service mast that holds it up, and all the wiring that runs from it into your home. If any of these parts need work, you’ll need to hire an electrician to fix them. The utility company handles everything up to the connection point, but after that, it’s on you.
This is important to know because if your weather head gets damaged and causes problems, you’re the one who will need to pay for repairs. Insurance might cover some of it, but you’ll still be dealing with the hassle and expense.
What Can Go Wrong
Weather heads can fail for several reasons. Understanding these can help you spot problems early and prevent bigger issues down the road.
Severe weather is probably the biggest threat. High winds can bend or break the weather head. Heavy rain can find its way past a damaged seal. Ice storms can add weight that causes the whole assembly to fail. If you’ve had bad weather recently, it’s worth checking your weather head.
Over time, the metal parts can rust and corrode. This happens because the weather head is constantly exposed to the elements. Once corrosion sets in, the seals don’t work as well, and water can start getting in. Regular inspections can catch this before it becomes a serious problem.
Physical damage is another common issue. Falling tree branches, debris from storms, or even animals can damage the weather head. If you see any dents, cracks, or bent parts, you should have it checked out right away.
Age is also a factor. Like everything else on your house, weather heads don’t last forever. Older models might not seal as well as newer ones. If your weather head is more than twenty years old, it might be time to think about replacing it, even if it’s not showing obvious problems yet.
How to Keep Your Weather Head in Good Shape
Taking care of your weather head doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple steps can help prevent most problems.
Start by looking at it regularly. You don’t need to climb up there, but you can see it from the ground. After any severe weather, take a quick look to make sure nothing looks bent, broken, or out of place. If something doesn’t look right, call an electrician to take a closer look.
Keep trees trimmed back from your house. Overhanging branches can fall during storms and damage your weather head. They can also rub against it during windy weather, wearing away the protective coating. A good rule of thumb is to keep branches at least ten feet away from your electrical service.
Make sure the service mast is secure. The mast is the pipe that holds up your weather head. If it’s loose or wobbly, it can put stress on the weather head and cause it to fail. You can check this by looking at where the mast attaches to your house. If it moves when you push on it, you need to have it secured.
Hire a professional for regular inspections. An electrician can spot problems you might miss. They know what to look for and can catch issues before they turn into expensive repairs. Most electricians recommend checking your weather head every few years, or more often if you’ve had severe weather.
Don’t wait too long to replace an old weather head. If yours is showing signs of wear or is getting old, replacing it now is usually cheaper than waiting for it to fail. Newer models are also more durable and seal better than older ones.
When to Call a Professional
Some things you can check yourself, but electrical work should always be done by a licensed electrician. If you see any damage to your weather head, don’t try to fix it yourself. Working with electrical connections is dangerous, and you could get seriously hurt.
Call an electrician if you notice water getting into your electrical panel, if you see sparks or hear buzzing from the weather head area, or if your power keeps going out during storms. These are all signs that something’s wrong with your electrical service connection.
Even if you’re not seeing problems, it’s a good idea to have a professional inspection every few years. An electrician can check the condition of your weather head, test the connections, and make sure everything is up to code. This small investment can save you from much bigger problems later.
Key Takeaways
- Weather heads are the connection point between utility power lines and your home’s electrical system
- Homeowners are responsible for maintaining and repairing weather heads, not the utility company
- Weather damage, corrosion, physical impacts, and age can all cause weather head failures
- Regular visual inspections and keeping trees trimmed can help prevent damage
- Professional electrician inspections every few years can catch problems early
- Never attempt to repair electrical connections yourself; always hire a licensed electrician
Recommended Next Steps
If you haven’t checked your weather head recently, take a look at it today. Make sure nothing looks damaged or out of place. If you see any problems, or if it’s been a while since your last electrical inspection, contact Air Services Heat and AC. Our licensed electricians can assess your weather head and electrical service to make sure everything is safe and working properly.