Snohomish – November 02, 2026 -- Washington homeowners who want a standby generator for winter outages should start planning now, because sizing, permitting, and inspection take time, according to local contractor Machias Power and Plumbing.

Storm season has already caused outages in Washington

Last winter brought historic flooding and widespread outages across the Pacific Northwest, and Washington received a federal disaster declaration in April. This season began early: high winds in late September left tens of thousands of Washington utility customers without power.

A dead sump pump or well pump creates plumbing problems

Owner Aaron Pullen says plumbing trouble often begins when the power fails. A sump pump can't keep a basement dry without electricity, and a well pump can't deliver water. In his words, a generator "has to be planned before the storm, not during it."

A standby generator keeps sump pumps, well pumps, furnaces, and medical equipment running during a grid outage.

Installation involves four steps and two trades

The project covers sizing the generator, a natural gas or propane connection, an automatic transfer switch, and permits and inspection. Because the work spans electrical and plumbing, a dual-licensed contractor can manage the whole job.

Permanent systems avoid portable generator risks

A permanent system means households don't have to rely on portable generators. Those carry carbon monoxide risks and, when plugged into a wall outlet, can endanger restoration crews.

Machias Power and Plumbing, a Generac Authorized Dealer with a 4.9-star Google rating, serves homeowners in Snohomish, King, and Skagit Counties.