ServicesTorque & Cleans
Torque & Clean Service in Kennedale
Every time your panel carries a heavy load and then cools, its screws and lugs can shift a hair. Over years that adds up to loose, hot connections. We bring each one back to the manufacturer's spec, clean out the enclosure and show you what we found. One person handles your visit throughout.
Maintenance for the Box Everything Else Depends On
A torque and clean is routine care for your electrical panel. Every breaker, lug and neutral bar screw has a torque value set by the manufacturer, usually printed on the panel label in inch-pounds. Over years of load changes those screws can back off a little. We bring each one back to spec with a calibrated torque tool, so connections are tight without being overtightened and crushing the conductor.
It is the right call for a panel that has never been opened since the house was built, after you buy a home, or before you add a big load like an EV charger or a generator. It is not a substitute for panel upgrades when the equipment itself is worn out, and we will tell you plainly if that is where things stand.
The person you speak with when you book is the person who schedules the visit, answers your questions afterward and follows up on anything we find. You will not be passed between offices.
What the Visit Covers
- 01
Torque to manufacturer spec
We check and set the main lugs, each breaker terminal, and the neutral and ground bars. Values come from the panel's own label, not guesswork.
- 02
Cleaning the enclosure
Dust, insulation fibers, insect nests and debris come out with a vacuum and soft brush. Buildup holds heat and can track moisture across live parts.
- 03
Aluminum conductor care
Where aluminum service or feeder wires land, we look at the terminations closely and apply antioxidant compound where the connection calls for it. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, so these points loosen first.
- 04
Visual inspection for heat
We look for darkened insulation, discolored bus stabs, melted breaker housings and corrosion. Anything suspect is photographed so you can see it for yourself.
- 05
Outdoor disconnects and subpanels
Exterior service disconnects and detached-garage subpanels get the same attention, including the gasket and cover seal that keep rain and wasps out.
Questions about Torque & Cleans?
Call(682) 357-4925When Your Panel Is Asking for Attention
A panel cover that feels warm
Light warmth under heavy load can be normal. A cover that is noticeably hot to the touch, or warmer at one breaker than the rest, points to a connection working harder than it should.
Lights that flicker or dim
When the AC or dryer starts and lights across the house dip, a loose neutral or main lug is a frequent culprit. A loose connection tends to heat and loosen further, so an early look keeps the fix small.
Crackling, humming or a hot plastic odor
Sound from inside the panel, or the smell of overheated plastic near it, can mean a connection is arcing. Switch off the circuit involved and book a visit; if the symptoms are strong, turn off the main breaker.
Many years without a look
Long hot summers put steady load on air conditioning circuits, and that heat cycling is exactly what loosens terminals. If your panel has never been opened, it is due.
Before adding a major load
An EV charger, generator or battery system pushes more current through the main connections. Starting from tight, clean terminals is good practice.
How the Day Goes
- 1
We set the time and plan the shutoff
When you book, we talk through how long power will be off and what to prepare, such as medical devices, a home office or a freezer you would rather not open.
- 2
Readings first, then the shutoff
We take readings with power on, note any hot spots and check voltage at the main. Then we shut off the main and confirm the panel is dead before removing the cover.
- 3
Torque, clean and inspect
Each connection is set to spec, the enclosure is cleaned, and we photograph anything that looks damaged or out of place.
- 4
Power back on, findings explained
We restore power one breaker at a time, confirm everything comes back normally, and wipe down the area. Then we show you the photos and explain what, if anything, needs further work.
What Shapes the Cost of Your Visit
The scope of this service is clear from the start, which keeps the price steady once we know your equipment. Most of the difference comes down to how many enclosures we open and the shape they are in. Should a breaker or lug turn out to be damaged, we pause, show you what we found and give you the repair cost before going further.
- Number of panels
- A single main panel is quicker than a main plus one or two subpanels, an exterior disconnect or a transfer switch.
- Panel age and condition
- Heavy corrosion, stripped screws or brittle breakers take more time to handle carefully, and some parts may need replacing.
- Aluminum terminations
- Cleaning and treating aluminum connections properly adds steps compared with an all-copper panel.
- Access
- A panel behind shelving in a crowded garage or mounted low on an exterior wall can take longer to reach and work on safely.
Common Questions Before We Open the Panel
How many years can a panel go between visits?
Most panels do well with a visit every few years. Shorten that gap if your home runs heavy loads or the panel sits in a hot garage or on an outside wall. Shortly after you move in is a sensible time to get a baseline, and once we have seen the inside we can suggest a schedule that fits your equipment.
How long will my power be off?
For a single panel in good condition, power is usually off for part of the visit rather than the whole time. More panels or repairs add time. We give you a realistic estimate when you book so you can plan around it.
My house is fairly new. Does it still need this?
Factory and installer torque is not always perfect, and the first few years of heat cycling are when connections settle most. A newer home rarely has major problems, but loose terminals are found in young panels too.
What happens if you find a bad breaker or burned wire?
We show you the photos, explain the risk and give you a price for the fix before doing it. Small items can often be handled the same visit. Larger problems may be better handled through electrical repair or code corrections and inspection fixes.
Does this kind of maintenance need a permit?
Routine maintenance generally does not. If we find something that needs a repair or replacement that does require one, we pull the permit and arrange the inspection as the local jurisdiction requires.
Can you check my generator transfer switch at the same time?
Yes. Transfer switches and their connections loosen the same way a panel does, and checking them together saves a second shutoff. Mention it when you book so we plan the time.
Give Your Panel the Attention It Rarely Gets
One call sets up the visit, and the same person follows through on the findings and anything that comes after. We serve Kennedale and nearby towns including Arlington, Mansfield and Burleson.