When a summer thunderstorm or a heavy winter ice load brings down a tree limb in Arlington Heights or Evanston, the damage often reaches beyond the roof and gutters. The overhead service drop, the mast that holds it to your house and the meter base are frequent casualties. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that while the utility owns the wires from the pole, the homeowner is usually responsible for the mast, weatherhead, meter socket and service entrance cable. That means you need a licensed electrician before power can be safely restored.
This guide explains who owns what, what to do in the first hour after storm damage, what repairs typically cost and how to make your service more resilient next time.
Understanding Your Electrical Service
The service drop
The cables running from the utility pole to your house. In ComEd territory, these generally belong to the utility.
The service mast and weatherhead
A rigid metal conduit that rises above the roofline (or attaches to the side of the house) with a weatherhead on top. The drop attaches to it. If the mast bends or pulls loose, the homeowner typically owns that repair.
The meter socket (meter base)
The box that holds the meter. The meter itself belongs to the utility, but the socket is yours.
Service entrance conductors and panel
The wires from the meter base to your main panel, plus the panel itself, are also yours.
First Steps After Storm Damage
- Stay away from downed or sagging wires. Assume every line is energized. Keep kids and pets inside.
- Report it to ComEd at 1-800-334-7661 or through the ComEd app. Note whether the line is down, sagging or pulled from the house.
- Do not touch the panel if there is water near it or visible damage.
- Take photos from a safe distance for insurance.
- Call a licensed electrician. ComEd may disconnect service and will not reconnect until the homeowner’s equipment is repaired and, in many villages, inspected.
Common Storm-Related Service Damage
| Damage | What It Looks Like | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Bent or broken mast | Mast leaning, roof flashing torn, drop sagging low | High: often requires disconnect |
| Meter socket pulled from wall | Meter box tilted, siding torn, conduit separated | High |
| Weatherhead damage | Cap missing, wires exposed, water entering conduit | Medium-high: water intrusion risk |
| Water in meter base or panel | Rust, corrosion, tripping breakers after rain | High: shock and fire risk |
| Lightning surge | Fried electronics, scorched outlets, tripped GFCIs | Medium: inspection recommended |
| Partial power, half the house dead | Lights dim/bright, some circuits out | High: possible lost neutral |
A word about lost neutrals
If lights flicker brightly and dimly, or appliances act erratically after a storm, you may have a damaged neutral conductor. This can push excessive voltage to some circuits and destroy electronics. Shut off sensitive equipment and call both ComEd and an electrician right away.
Typical Repair Costs
| Repair | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Straighten/re-secure mast, new weatherhead | $450–$1,200 |
| Replace service mast and roof flashing | $1,200–$2,500 |
| Replace meter socket | $900–$2,000 |
| Replace service entrance cable | $800–$2,000 |
| Full service replacement (mast, meter base, panel to 200A) | $3,500–$6,500 |
| Whole-house surge protector add-on | $350–$700 |
Costs depend on roof pitch, mast height, the condition of your panel and permit fees in your village. Arlington Heights and Evanston each require permits and inspections for service work.
Will Insurance Pay?
Homeowner’s policies commonly cover sudden storm damage, including fallen trees and wind. Wear-and-tear corrosion usually is not covered. We provide itemized invoices and photos to support your claim. Check your deductible; for small mast repairs it may be cheaper to pay directly.
Repair or Upgrade?
If your home still has a 60- or 100-amp service, storm damage can be the right moment to upgrade. Much of the labor for an upgrade (mast, meter base, service conductors, permits) is already happening. If you are planning a heat pump, EV charger or kitchen remodel, ask us to quote both options. Our electrical services team will run a load calculation so you do not overspend on capacity you will never use.
Overhead versus underground
Some homeowners ask about burying the service. It eliminates limb strikes but involves trenching, ComEd coordination and significant cost, often $5,000 to $15,000 or more depending on distance and obstacles. For most homes, trimming trees and a properly braced mast are the practical choice.
Making Your Service Storm-Resilient
- Trim trees near the service drop. ComEd will clear lines at the pole, but limbs over the drop near your house are often your responsibility. Never trim near energized lines yourself.
- Check mast bracing. Tall masts need a guy wire or brace; many older installs lack one.
- Seal the weatherhead and meter base to keep water out.
- Add a whole-house surge protector at the panel to reduce lightning and reconnection surge damage.
- Consider backup power for sump pumps and furnaces during outages.
How the Repair Process Works
- We assess the damage and confirm what is utility-owned versus homeowner-owned.
- We pull the permit with your village.
- We coordinate with ComEd for disconnect and reconnect.
- We complete the repair, often same or next day for urgent outages.
- The village inspects (where required), and ComEd restores power.
Timing depends heavily on storm volume. After a large regional storm, ComEd reconnect times can stretch. Calling early gets you in the queue faster.
Storm Prep Checklist for Your Electrical Service
Before storm season, walk around the outside of your home and look at the service from the ground. Is the mast straight and the weatherhead intact? Is the meter base firmly attached with no gaps behind it? Are there tree limbs within a few feet of the drop? Is there rust streaking below the meter? Any “yes” to those questions is worth a quick inspection. Inside, know where your main breaker is, keep a flashlight near the panel and test your GFCI and AFCI breakers. If you rely on a sump pump, a battery backup or generator inlet can keep the basement dry when the grid goes down. A small investment before a storm usually prevents a large, rushed repair after one.
Financing Available
Unplanned repairs rarely arrive at a convenient time. MMDS offers financing through Sunbit and PowerPay, so you can spread the cost of a repair or upgrade into manageable monthly payments. Approval is quick, and most customers get a decision in minutes. Ask your technician about options when you get your quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who fixes a pulled-down service line?
ComEd typically handles the drop. If the mast, weatherhead or meter socket on your house is damaged, you need a licensed electrician to repair those first.
Can I live in the house without power while waiting?
Yes, but watch your sump pump and pipes in winter. A portable generator properly connected through an interlock or transfer switch can help; never backfeed through an outlet.
Is a bent mast an emergency?
If wires are sagging low, the mast is pulling away from the roof or you see sparking, treat it as an emergency and call ComEd immediately.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. Service repairs in Arlington Heights, Evanston and surrounding villages require permits and often an inspection before reconnection.
Can storm damage hurt my panel?
Water intrusion through a damaged weatherhead can travel down the conduit into the panel. We inspect the panel any time the service is damaged. Learn more on our circuits and wiring page.
Schedule Service with MMDS
Mechanical Management & Design Solutions has served Skokie, Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Schaumburg, Glenview, Northbrook, Evanston and the rest of the north and northwest suburbs for years. We handle HVAC, electrical and plumbing under one roof, so a problem that crosses trades gets solved in one visit instead of three. If you need help with storm-damaged electrical service, call (847) 221-6280 or request service online. We give clear, written quotes before any work starts.