Does Your Home Have Hidden Electrical Hazards?
Many people never know they need an electrician until there is a major problem. Addressing potential problems early and knowing some of the common electrical problems to look out for can alert you to the need for electrical service work in your home.
Signs of potential problems
· Circuit breakers or fuses repeatedly blow
· Lights dim when appliances turn on
· Flickering lights
· Extension cords are needed to reach the outlets in rooms
· Electrical switches or outlets feel warm or tingly
· Electrical outlets require plug-in strips to accommodate the fixtures that need electricity
· Lights or sockets in your home don't work
· Phones in your home don't work
· Outlets serving the kitchen counters and bathrooms don't have GFCI protection
Old Wiring and Fuse Panels
If you've got an older home, chances are the wiring does not meet current electrical codes. The older braided wiring deteriorates over time and becomes brittle, creating potential safety hazards. Upgrading your home wiring and converting fuse panels to circuit breakers makes your home a safer place and improves your home's value.
Frayed or Brittle Cords
Pulling and twisting over time can sever wires inside the cord and break down insulation, resulting in a short circuit. Frayed or brittle cords should be replaced to avoid potential hazards.
Overloaded Circuits
If your circuits are too small to handle the number of electrical appliances plugged into it, you risk overheating the wiring or blowing a fuse. An electrician can let you know the correct amperage for your fuses or circuits and can install new outlets if you need them.
Improper Circuits Near Water
All circuits near water (such as those in bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms) should be equipped with a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). A GFCI immediately cuts off electricity in the event of a current leakage to avoid potential electrocution. If you have an older home, you may not have GFCI circuits installed.
Improper Grounding
Many older homes only have two-prong outlets. The third, or grounding, prong provides extra protection against electrical shock. If your outlets don't accept three-prong plugs, your appliances may not be properly grounded. Many homeowners replace the two-prong outlet with a three-prong outlet, however, without the presence of a ground wire to ground the device, this is a code violation.
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