Do you ever worry about whether you have an electrical problem at home? Homes of all ages may have electrical problems, including newer and newly built homes. Learn how to recognize the warning signs so that you can address them promptly.
Pay Attention to Flickering Lights
A flickering light may be a problem with a light fixture if it is only happening with one light. However, multiple flickering lights usually occur when they are connected to the same outlet as bigger electrical appliances. Those larger appliances use more energy and affect the light fixtures’ ability to perform. If you have this type of electrical problem, you might need to install another breaker box. Hire an electrician to perform this work.
One Electrical Problem at Home is Mangled Wiring
You might have pests in your walls that are chewing and fraying your wiring. This can potentially cause an electrical fire. If you notice signs of rodents in your house like droppings, hire a pest control professional for an inspection. Next, hire an electrician to replace the damaged wiring.
Recurring Circuit Breaker Overloads
Your circuit breakers prevent overheating of the electrical system. They are designed to shut down when there’s excess current or a short circuit. If they are tripping frequently, this is a sign of an electrical problem.
It’s possible that the circuit breaker is old and needs to be replaced. It’s complicated work and you shouldn’t try it on your own. Call in an electrician and let a professional fix it.
Hot Outlets Mean an Electrical Problem at Home
It’s normal for appliances to get warm when used, but the outlets should not get hot. You have an electrical problem at home if your outlets feel hot to the touch. It’s usually a wiring issue. Call in your electrician to diagnose and fix the problem.
Electrical Shocks
Do you get a shock when touching an appliance or outlet? The outlet may be outdated and have no ground wire. This is another situation that you shouldn’t try to fix on your own. Instead, bring in a professional to determine what’s going on.
Buzzing Noises
There is an electrical problem at home when you can hear buzzing or humming noises that aren’t coming from appliances. Test another appliance in the same outlet to see if the issue is the appliance itself. If it’s not the appliance, then it is an electrical issue. Buzzing sounds coming from the walls may indicate a wiring problem behind a wall switch.
Never wait to fix an electrical problem at home and don’t attempt to make repairs yourself. You might make the situation worse and even cause a fire. Always call an electrician and allow an expert to handle it.
Cal Home Inspections provides home inspection services to the Greater Sacramento area. Contact us to schedule an appointment.