When the snow finally begins to melt across Vermont and New England, homeowners breathe a collective sigh of relief. But while the worst of the winter freezing might be behind us, mud season brings some of the most unpredictable—and destructive—weather of the entire year.
Heavy April showers, rapidly melting snow, and severe wind gusts create the perfect recipe for uprooted trees, flooded basements, and widespread power outages.
When the forecast turns ugly, the best way to eliminate anxiety is to put control back in your own hands. Are you ready for the next severe weather alert? We put together the ultimate spring storm prep checklist so you can protect your home and family this season.
1. Inspect and Test Your Sump Pump
During mud season, your sump pump is the most critical appliance in your home. With the ground fully saturated, groundwater levels rise rapidly during a heavy rainstorm.
- The Prep: Don’t wait for a storm to find out if your pump works. Pour a bucket of water directly into the sump pit. The float switch should rise, turn the pump on, and quickly drain the water. If it struggles, makes grinding noises, or doesn’t activate, call a plumber immediately.
2. Practice the “3-Foot Rule” Around Your Generator
Winter storms inevitably blow dead leaves, snapped branches, and grit around your yard, which tends to pile up right against the base of your standby generator.
- The Prep: Grab a rake and clear a minimum three-foot radius around your entire generator enclosure. Your unit’s engine requires massive amounts of fresh airflow to keep cool while running during an outage. Clearing this debris prevents the engine from overheating and keeps spring pests from building nests inside the louvers.
3. Test Your Backup Power System
Your sump pump is useless if the grid goes down and you don’t have backup power to run it. If you have a standby generator, a vital part of your spring storm prep is ensuring the system is armed and ready to take over.
- The Prep: Check the status indicator light on the outside of your unit (it should be green). Lift the lid and check the oil levels, just like you would on a car. Finally, ensure the generator has been successfully running its weekly automatic exercise cycle. If you see any red error lights, call Brook Field Service for a spring tune-up!
4. Secure Outdoor Furniture and Branches
Spring windstorms are notorious for turning loose yard items into dangerous projectiles.
- The Prep: Walk your property and secure any early-season patio furniture, trash cans, or loose tools. Look up at the trees near your home and your incoming power lines—if you see dead, hanging branches (widow-makers) left over from winter ice storms, have them safely removed before the spring winds knock them down.
Take Ultimate Control of Your Power
The most important step in any spring storm prep routine is ensuring your home won’t be left in the dark.
If testing your backup power system made you realize that your old generator is unreliable, rusting out, or failing to start, it is time to take action. Brook Field Service puts total control back in the homeowner’s hands with Kohler’s exclusive Trade-Up Program.
We will remove your old, frustrating competitor-brand unit, upgrade you to a commercial-grade Kohler system, and give you a $1,000 Trade-In Rebate. Plus, with $0 Down and 0% Interest financing options, total peace of mind is incredibly affordable.
