Should I Ever Try to Fix My Own Generator? 

A home or commercial standby generator provides a backup source of power in the event that electricity to the structure is lost, such as may be the case in the event of a big storm, accident, or another emergency. With a home or commercial standby generator, you can ensure that your home/business is powered even when the lights are out all around you, allowing you to stay safe and comfortable. 

While a standby generator may be a great addition to your property, just like other appliances, standby generators require maintenance and, eventually, will require repairs. If your standby generator isn’t working as it should, you should immediately hire an experienced professional for repairs. You should never try to fix your own generator.

The Risks of DIY Fixes

There is a multitude of reasons why attempting to repair a home standby generator system on your own is a bad idea. First, unless you’re an expert, your attempt to repair something could actually make it worse, exacerbating the problem and costing you more money than you would have spent had you called a professional from the get-go.

The biggest risk of trying to repair a generator on your own though isn’t the risk of making the problem worse, but the risk of suffering an injury. This is because generators are hooked up to the electrical grid and are designed to produce electricity. Working near electricity can be very dangerous—even for professionals, and especially for untrained novices—and poses the risk of electrical injury or death. 

What You Can Do Solo

While working around electricity is dangerous and something that should always be left to a professional, there are some basic maintenance things that you can do at home. For example, you should always pay attention to your generator and keep an eye out for:

• Damage to the generator (frayed wires, dents, cracks, etc.)
• Strange noises
• Strange smells
• Performance issues

From there, things like topping off fluids, changing out filters, and cleaning the exterior of the generator are all manageable tasks that don’t require the assistance of a professional.

Call Generator Technologies Inc. Today

At Generator Technologies Inc., we specialize in all things generator-related. We can perform an inspection of your generator and quickly handle any repairs. We have years of experience and are able to service over 95 percent of generator models on the market today. To learn more about how we can help and why it’s always a good idea to hire a professional for generator repairs, reach out to us by phone or online today.