THE VERY TOP SECTION OF THE POLE CAN START TO ROT FROM RAIN AND SUN EXPOSURE. SPLITS OR SHARP SPLINTERS ARE CLEAR SIGNS THE WOOD IS WEAKENING, WHICH CAN EVENTUALLY MAKE THE POLE UNSAFE.

THE BASE OF THE POLE, WHERE IT TOUCHES THE GROUND, IS ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO MOISTURE AND INSECTS. IF YOU NOTICE ROTTING OR SPLITTING HERE, THE POLE MAY LOSE STABILITY AND RISK FALLING.

OVER TIME, POLES CAN DEVELOP LONG, DEEP CRACKS THROUGH THE MIDDLE SECTION. THESE SPLITS REDUCE THE STRENGTH OF THE POLE AND MAY ALLOW WATER TO GET IN, SPEEDING UP DETERIORATION.

CROSSARMS HOLD THE POWERLINES IN PLACE, BUT WEATHERING AND AGE CAN CAUSE THEM TO SAG, CRACK, OR BREAK. A DAMAGED CROSSARM CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE WIRES SAFELY.

INSULATORS ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP WIRES SAFELY SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER AND THE POLE. IF THEY’RE CRACKED OR BROKEN, ELECTRICITY CAN LEAK OR CAUSE FAULTS. RUSTED METAL PARTS LIKE BOLTS AND BRACKETS ALSO WEAKEN THE POLE’S OVERALL STRUCTURE.

POWERLINES ARE MADE OF MULTIPLE STRANDS OF WIRE TWISTED TOGETHER. IF YOU SEE STRANDS FRAYING, LOOSENING, OR SNAPPING, THE LINE IS AT RISK OF FAILING AND MAY NEED URGENT ATTENTION.