Pre-hurricane generator tune-up
Get your standby generator checked before storm season, when the schedule is open, parts are easier to get and the weather is calm.
Pre-hurricane generator tune-up: an overview
On the upper Texas coast, the worst time to discover a generator problem is with a storm in the Gulf. Technicians are booked, parts are in demand and conditions can make travel unsafe. A pre-hurricane tune-up moves that work to the calm part of the year.
Hurricane season in the Atlantic officially runs from June 1 through November 30, and we recommend scheduling your tune-up in late spring, before the season starts. If you’re on a Gold maintenance plan, this is often the first visit of the year.
The tune-up covers the items most likely to cause a failed start or a shutdown during a long outage: the battery, the oil and filters, spark plugs, the fuel supply, the transfer switch and your monitoring connection. We run the unit under load so you know it can carry the house, not just idle.
What’s included
What this work typically covers. Your scope depends on your home and equipment.
Battery
Load test and replacement recommendation if it’s weak or aging.
Oil, filters and plugs
Fresh oil and filters, with spark plugs inspected or replaced.
Load test
The unit runs under load for a meaningful test, not just an exercise cycle.
Transfer switch
Simulated outage to confirm automatic transfer and return.
Fuel check
Gas supply and connection checked; LP-gas owners reminded to top off the tank.
Monitoring check
Confirm Mobile Link or OnCue is connected and sending alerts.
Before the storm, also
- Clear plants, debris and stored items away from the generator
- Know where your gas shut-off and main breaker are
- Fill LP-gas tanks before a storm is named, if you’re on propane
- Make sure the monitoring app is working on your phone
- Save Kelm’s number: 409-316-9834
Why homeowners call Kelm for pre-hurricane tune-up
Certified Generac and Kohler dealer
We install and service both brands, so recommendations are based on your home, not on a single product line.
Electrical and fuel under one roof
Clint Kelm holds Texas Master Electrician and Master Plumber licenses and an RRC LP-Gas exemption, so the wiring, transfer switch and gas line are all handled by Kelm.
Standby generators since 2005
Clint has installed and serviced residential and commercial standby generators for two decades on the Gulf Coast.
Local and family-run
Kelm Home Services has been a family business for more than 50 years, based in League City and Santa Fe.
How it works
From your first call to a finished, tested job.
Book early
Call in spring to get on the schedule before the season.
Tune-up visit
We complete the checklist and test under load.
Fix what we find
Repairs are explained and quoted before work.
Monitoring check
We confirm alerts are reaching you.
Storm ready
You go into the season knowing your unit has been tested.
Pre-Hurricane Tune-Up FAQ
Common questions about this service.
When should I schedule a tune-up?
Late spring is ideal, ahead of the June 1 start of hurricane season. If a storm is already forecast, call anyway and we’ll do what we can.
Is a tune-up the same as maintenance?
It covers the same core service, timed for storm season and focused on outage readiness. On a maintenance plan, it’s typically one of your scheduled visits.
Should I run my generator during a hurricane?
A standby generator is designed to run automatically during outages. Keep the area around it clear, and follow local guidance on evacuation and flooding.
What if my area floods?
If water reaches the unit, leave it off once power returns and have it inspected before use.
Get an estimate for pre-hurricane tune-up
Tell us about your home and the work you need. We’ll follow up by your preferred method.
Related services
Hurricane Prep
A practical checklist for Brazoria, Galveston and Harris county homeowners, before the season, when a storm is coming and after it passes.
Learn moreMaintenance Plans
Choose Gold (two visits a year) or Silver (one visit a year) for your air-cooled or liquid-cooled standby generator. Every visit follows the same written checklist.
Learn moreRemote Monitoring
With Kelm’s Mobile Link monitoring plan, if your generator has a fault, we’re notified and send a technician out to correct it, with no service call fee.
Learn moreGenerator Inspections
A thorough, documented look at a standby generator system, whether you’re buying a home, recovering from a storm or just not sure when it was last checked.
Learn more