Identifying Common Home Electrical Problems

Even if you have a newer home, there is still a chance it could be affected by an electrical problem. There are many various electrical issues that turn up over time, and learning to identify them is crucial to your safety and well-being. Ignoring an electrical problem can cause property damage, start a fire, or even increase your risk of being electrocuted. In fact, the U.S. Fire Administration estimates that home electrical problems cause 26,100 fires and $1 billion in property damage each year. Nearly half of these fires are caused by faulty electrical wiring.

In order to protect yourself and your family, always keep an eye out for signs of the following problems.

Lights That Flicker

If your lights begin to flicker, the problem could be as simple as the bulb has come a bit loose. Always check to make sure the light is screwed completely on the socket. Additionally, make sure the bulb is the correct wattage for the socket, as using the incorrect wattage can lead to a fire. If this fails, try a new bulb to make sure that it isn't faulty.

If none of these solutions work, then the problem probably lies in your wiring. You could have a poor connection somewhere along the circuit. If the flickering occurs in different rooms through the home, then it could be the main wire connection that is affected.

Outlets That Don't Work

One of the most frustrating feelings is plugging something in only to find that it doesn't work. This could be a sign of a number of problems including loose wiring or internal cracking. Hopefully though, the problem is something simple, such as a complete loss of power or a tripped circuit breaker.

For this issue, contact your local electrical company to see if there are any reported outages. Additionally, you may have to reset your circuit breaker by flipping on any switches that have flipped over to the off position.

Wires That Aren't in Good Condition

This might be something that you completely overlook unless you inspect your appliances regularly. Over time, cords can naturally break or fray. This leads to a dangerous situation, as the electrical current can pass out of the wire and into nearby surroundings, starting fires or singeing your space. If possible, replace cords that are ripping to prevent further damage.

A Circuit Breaker That Keeps Tripping

With all of the new, high-powered technologies, there is a good chance your circuit breaker could be overloaded. You might be using too many electronics at one time, so limit your use of these items until you find a combination that doesn't trip the breaker. Try plugging items into several different outlets to spread out the current between different circuits.

A constantly tripping breaker can also signify it is old and needs to be replaced. Also be wary of short circuits, which can results from cracked or frayed cords.

Regardless of the electrical problem you find in your home, never try to fix it yourself. Do it the safe way and contact David Gray Electrical Services today for a free estimate on repair costs.