A meter base electrician repairs the parts that belong to the homeowner. Knowing where that line sits helps you call the right party first after storm damage.
Homeowner Side Versus Utility Side
In many cases, the utility owns the overhead service drop (the wires from the pole) and the meter itself. The homeowner is usually responsible for the weatherhead, mast, service entrance cable, meter base and everything after it. The exact dividing point varies, so it is worth checking with your power company, but this general split explains why a storm repair often needs both an electrician and the utility.
Service entrance repair can mean straightening or replacing a mast, resealing a leaking weatherhead, replacing a corroded meter base, or replacing deteriorated cable along the siding. If more capacity is also needed, the job may become an electrical service upgrade.
Typical Reasons for a Service Entrance Repair
A limb fell on the service drop and bent or pulled the mast away from the house.
Wind or ice pulled the drop and the weatherhead is now hanging loose.
The utility said the meter base must be repaired before they reconnect.
Water is leaking into the meter base or down into the panel.
Siding or roof work disturbed the mast or entrance cable.
What to Look For From a Safe Distance
- A leaning, bent or cracked mast, or a loose roof boot around it.
- A meter base pulling away from the wall or heavily rusted.
- Cracked or frayed cable insulation on the outside wall.
- Flickering or half the house losing power after wind.
- Scorch marks or a burnt smell near the meter.
How Service Entrance Work Is Usually Handled
The electrician inspects the entrance, explains what is homeowner responsibility, and repairs or replaces those parts. A permit and inspection are often required, and the utility usually must disconnect the service before work and reconnect it afterward.
- Mast straightness, support and roof penetration
- Weatherhead seal and drip loops
- Meter base condition, rating and mounting
- Service entrance cable insulation and fastening
- Grounding and bonding at the service
- Water entry into the meter base or panel
How it usually works
Call the utility, then call here
If wires are down, report it to the utility. Then call to be connected with an independent local electrician for the homeowner-side repair.
Damage assessment
The electrician inspects the mast, meter base and cable and explains which repairs are yours and which belong to the utility.
Repair with permit
Damaged parts are repaired or replaced, often under a permit, with a local inspection when required.
Utility reconnects
Once the work is approved, the utility reconnects the service and power is restored.
For homes around Chattanooga
Chattanooga's hillside lots and mature trees mean storm limbs on service drops are common, especially in spring and fall storms. Long overhead drops across wooded yards on Signal Mountain or Lookout Mountain take extra wind and occasional ice. After a storm, emergency help depends on provider participation and availability; emergency electrical service explains how that works.
