Memorial Day Power Preparedness: Keep Your Detroit Home Powered Through Summer Storms

Is Your Generator Ready for Michigan’s Unpredictable Summer?

Memorial Day is a time for celebration, but it also marks the start of Detroit’s summer storm season. The rising temperatures and increased storm activity put the city’s power grid to the test, often leading to unexpected blackouts, grid failures, and storm-related outages. For homeowners, this is the ideal time to prepare for potential power interruptions by ensuring your Generac backup generator is in peak condition. If you haven’t run a full generator check-up recently, now is the time to act.

Detroit’s Summer Storm Threats: What’s at Risk?

Detroit’s power grid has seen significant strain in recent years, with severe weather events causing widespread outages. The biggest risks to power stability in the area include:

• Severe Thunderstorms – Strong winds and heavy rainfall can take down power lines, leading to extended outages across neighborhoods.
• Heatwaves & Grid Strain – High temperatures drive up electricity demand, increasing the risk of rolling blackouts and infrastructure failures.
• Tornado Activity – While rare, Michigan does see tornadoes, which can cause sudden power disruptions.
• Aging Power Infrastructure – Detroit’s electrical grid has been a known issue, making homes without a backup power source vulnerable to longer outages.

Signs Your Generator May Not Be Storm-Ready

Have you tested your generator recently? Many homeowners assume their system will work when needed, only to discover issues at the worst possible time. Look for these warning signs:

• Your generator hesitates or takes too long to start.
• You hear unusual noises like clicking, sputtering, or rattling.
• The battery has visible corrosion or weak connections.
• Oil or fuel levels are low, or you notice leaks.
• Your generator has not been professionally serviced in over a year.

How to Ensure Your Generator is Ready for Storm Season

1. Run a Test Cycle – Power up your generator for at least 15 minutes to ensure it runs smoothly. Check for delayed starts, unusual sounds, or warning indicators.
2. Inspect Fuel Levels – A generator with low or stale fuel may not function properly when an outage strikes. Propane and natural gas connections should be secure and fully operational.
3. Check Battery Health – A weak or corroded battery is one of the most common reasons a generator fails to start. If your battery is three years old or older, consider replacing it.
4. Change Oil & Filters – Old oil and clogged filters reduce efficiency and can cause overheating. If your generator hasn’t had an oil change in six months, now is the time.
5. Schedule a Professional Maintenance Check – Even if your generator seems fine, a professional technician can catch hidden issues before they lead to unexpected failures. A quick tune-up now can save you major stress when storms hit.

Protect Your Home Before the Next Storm Hits

Detroit’s summer storm season is unpredictable, and waiting until an outage occurs is too late. With severe weather and heatwaves on the horizon, now is the best time to make sure your home’s backup power is ready. At Generator Supercenter of Detroit, we specialize in professional maintenance, repairs, and full-service inspections to keep your Generac generator running at peak performance. Call us today at (248) 264-6044 or visit our showroom at 53115 Grand River Ave, New Hudson, MI 48165 to schedule your generator service before the summer storm season begins. Don’t wait until it’s too late-prepare now.