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Many homes in the Unites States are at least 40 years old, which means residential electrical wiring issues are extremely common. Are you concerned your house might be at risk of electrical problem? Here are five important signs you may have bad wiring. Do not delay on calling for repairs if any of these signs appear in your home. It may lead to dangerous situations, such as fires.
It is not uncommon for circuit breakers to trip. In fact, when they trip they are working exactly as intended. They trip to stop the flow of electricity when the circuit is overloaded, thus protecting any dangerous surges. However, if breakers are frequently tripping, then the first step is to reduce the number of devices plugged into the circuit. After that, replace the circuit breaker to ensure that is fully protected. If neither of those measures fixes the problem, then the wiring is next on the list to inspect. It is also possible the circuit is simply overwhelmed by too many high-energy devices. But any way you slice it, it is important monitor the frequency with which circuit breakers trip.
Since faulty wiring sends too much electricity to outlets, it is important to keep an eye out for hot, darkened, or scorched electrical outlets. If you see this sign, it may be an indication that there is an energy leak heating up the wires and the outlet. This surge of electricity can potentially fry appliances, or, if severe enough, can cause a fire.
When you are at home, keep an eye out for lights that flicker, buzz, or dim. When you plug in an appliance and the lights dim, this is a sign the electrical current is not flowing properly. On top of that, listen for any light switches that buzz when you turn them on as that is another big red flag.
If you ever smell burning or melting plastic near an outlet, then the wiring has already caused fire damage. Immediately unplug everything from the outlet and contact us to inspect the wiring immediately! This is a dangerous situation!
If you notice frayed or chewed wiring in your home, the concern goes beyond rodents. When the protective plastic covering is broken, exposing the wires inside then the electrical circuit is open. This allows electricity to arc, which can cause dangerous electrical shocks and a fire. This needs immediate attention.
Here are some frequently asked questions about electrical wiring.
When there is faulty wiring it means there is either damage to the wires or incorrect voltage running through them. Faulty electrical wiring can be the result of an electrician cutting corners on safety, wires that have deteriorated with age, or wires damaged by rodents. Whatever the reason is, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of bad electrical wiring.
Yes, faulty wiring can increase electric bills. When the electricity in a home does not flow properly, then the wires are likely to release more electricity than is necessary to run appliances. This leakage increases electricity usage thus causing you to spend more money on electricity each month.
Sadly, yes, faulty wiring can cause fires. It does so by causing electrical surges in places that are not equipped to handle the heat, which creates a greater fire hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that electrical outlets are involved in 5,300 fires every year. You and your home does not want to be added to this list!
As a homeowner, it is simple to take the convenience of electricity in your house for granted. However, electrical issues can come out of nowhere and when the electrical wiring goes bad what do you do? Get in touch with State-Wide Electric!
Remodeling an older home can be a challenge, especially when a lot of the work is hidden behind walls. With older homes, the chance of incorrect electrical wiring or wiring in need of an update significantly increases. If you are concerned about your home’s wiring and would like an expert’s help, contact us today. We can assess your current wiring, identify any issues, and help you get it fixed so you and your family stay safe.
