Service Mast and Meter Base Repair · Hattiesburg, MS
Service Mast and Meter Base Repair in Hattiesburg, MS
Service mast repair fixes the pipe, weatherhead and meter base that bring the utility's overhead line into your home. When storms or falling limbs damage them, a licensed electrician usually has to repair them before the utility will restore power.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving The Avenues, Oaks District, Parkhaven and more
Why service mast and meter base repair comes up in Hattiesburg
After the tornadoes of February 2013 and January 2017, many Hattiesburg homes outside the worst damage still had bent masts, torn weatherheads and meter bases pulled from the wall by falling trees. Hurricane winds that reach this far inland do the same. Mississippi Power owns the drop and meter, while the mast, weatherhead and meter base attached to the house are typically the homeowner's, and the utility usually needs them repaired before restoring power.
Raised homes in The Avenues often have masts mounted on old wood siding, which may need repair too. Permits come from the City of Hattiesburg.
- Storm damage to service masts.
- Because tornadoes and hurricane winds often damage service masts here, an upgrade is a good time to replace an old mast and meter base.
- Permits in Hattiesburg
- Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Hattiesburg's building and permits office. Mississippi licenses larger contracting work through the State Board of Contractors, and the city may require a local license.
- Electric utility
- Mississippi Power (some outlying areas: electric cooperatives)
Signs to look for
- A service mast bent, leaning or pulled away from the roof or wall
- A meter base hanging loose, cracked or rusted through
- A torn or sagging line where it meets the house
- Flickering lights or partial power after a storm
- The utility telling you to have an electrician repair the service before reconnecting
How the work is done
1. Make it safe
Stay clear of downed or sagging lines and call the utility first. The electrician assesses the damage once the area is safe.
2. Coordinate with the utility
The electrician confirms who owns which parts and arranges the disconnect, inspection and reconnect.
3. Repair or replace
The mast, weatherhead, meter base and service entrance cable are repaired or replaced, often to current code, which can mean a taller mast or new grounding.
4. Inspection and reconnect
Where required, the work is inspected, then the utility reconnects the drop and reinstalls the meter.
What moves the price in Hattiesburg
Electricians set their own prices. Older homes in The Avenues often have original or patched wiring and small services, and many raised homes have wiring in crawl spaces.
- Whether the mast, meter base or both need replacing
- Damage to the roof or siding where the mast mounts
- Bringing grounding and clearances up to current code
- Whether a service upgrade is done at the same time
- After-hours or storm-surge demand
- Permit and inspection fees
Service Mast and Meter Base Repair in Hattiesburg: questions
Do I need a permit for service mast and meter base repair in Hattiesburg?
Usually, yes. Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Hattiesburg's building and permits office. Mississippi licenses larger contracting work through the State Board of Contractors, and the city may require a local license. The electrician normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Is the utility involved in Hattiesburg?
If the work affects the meter or service, the electrician coordinates with Mississippi Power (some outlying areas: electric cooperatives), which owns the meter and service drop.
Who pays to fix a damaged service mast?
In most areas the mast, weatherhead and meter base belong to the homeowner, so repair is the owner's cost, though homeowners insurance often covers storm damage. Check your utility's rules and your policy.
Will the utility fix my meter base?
Usually not. Utilities generally own the meter and the line, not the meter base or mast. They make the area safe and reconnect once the repair is done.
Can I get power back before the mast is repaired?
Typically no. Most utilities will not reconnect to damaged equipment on the house.
Is a damaged service mast an emergency?
A pulled-down line or exposed wiring is dangerous. Stay away, call the utility, then call an electrician.
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