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Four Common Generator Issues

January 4, 2021

Northern Virginia residents experience some of the hottest and coldest days of the year and being prepared is key to having ultimate home comfort. At R.A. Dobson, our generator installation service technicians are proactive in ensuring your generator can handle outages in the harshest of conditions.

As a locally-owned and family-operated business in Sterling, Virginia, maintaining the comfort of our community is of the utmost importance. If you require a replacement, we offer generator brands such as Generac and Honeywell, and we can help you determine which one will work best for your needs.

Below, we discuss the common issues you may experience with your generator.

1. Battery Failure

No matter what model your generator is, one of the most common issues people experience is battery failure. However, it requires a professional fix to ensure the circuit breaker is operating as it should be and that you don’t get injured attempting to fix it yourself.

Another reason why your battery may not be functioning is due to terminal connections being blocked by dirt and debris buildup. Having a specialist perform these processes will ensure battery terminals are tightened and your circuit breaker is working.

2. Leakages

With a generator that has experienced wear and tear over the years, it may be more susceptible to coolant leaks. If you are able to catch this earlier on, you may be able to prevent your generator from failing.

Not many people know they should inspect their generator every couple of years. If you find yourself in this boat, allow our team to inspect your generator and help you determine whether you have any issues before a repair or replacement is needed.

3. Low Fuel and Oil

Generators need fuel and oil to function efficiently, as lack of both may cause overheating, broken parts, and system failure. If the fuel or oil is too low, then the generator may be unable to respond right away.

It is also important to note that if the generator fuel has run dry, then air may enter the system and hoses. In order for a generator to function efficiently, air must not be present in the system. While it isn’t impossible to remove air from the generator, it is a hassle and takes time.

As a quick rule of thumb, always check your generator’s fuel level gauge before and after use. This will help prevent damages from getting worse and keep you from spending more on a repair or replacement. If your fuel gauge seems off or inaccurate, our technicians will help replace it if complete replacement isn’t necessary.

4. Worn/Damaged Components

If you don’t perform generator upkeep often, then it’s likely that its components have experienced general wear and tear over the years. On top of that, you might have overlooked any burnt electrical components, motors, coils, or damages caused by inclement weather or pests.

While we always recommend preventing worst-case scenarios with routine maintenance, we understand it’s easier said than done. And depending on your generator’s make and model, some may need maintenance more often than others and vice versa.

Choose Professional Generator Installation Services in Sterling VA!

Our generator experts can pinpoint issues quickly and provide solutions that work with your budget. Whether your generator needs to be repaired or replaced, our generator installation services are customized to your specific needs. For additional information, Consumer Reports has released a helpful Generator Buying Guide.

As our experience dates back to 1975, you can trust our team to provide you with the most up-to-date knowledge and experience to ensure your generator is prepared for the worst. We also offer a one-year warranty as well as honor all manufacturer warranties.

Receive a generator installation discount and save more on your service. Contact our generator installation experts at (703) 481-3700 to schedule an appointment today!

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