The strong electrical currents that flow throughout your house can cause electrocutions and house fires if they are not properly contained. Often, trouble with your home’s electrical wiring and features is noticeable well before a disaster hits. Understanding the signs of electrical trouble is the first step toward safeguarding your home.
Commonly Overlooked Signs of Electrical Trouble
Depending on the nature of the problem, you might notice one or several of these overlooked signs of trouble. If you are aware of any of these issues, it is time to call an electrician.
- Flickering or Dimming Lights: When your lights flicker or dim, your circuit may be overloaded. Your electrician can relocate some energy-consuming features to other circuits or install new lines.
- Hot Outlets: You should immediately stop using an outlet if you notice that it is hot to the touch. This is a strong indicator that the outlet, wiring or other electrical features need immediate service.
- Overloaded Outlets: With more electrical cords and extension cords coming from one outlet, the risk of tripped breakers, damaged outlets or a house fire increases. Your electrician can install new outlets where they are needed.
- Loose Outlets: An outlet that jiggles may seem like an annoyance but it actually can be a serious health hazard. Over time, the wires in a loose outlet will wiggle free. The result is a spark or short that could lead to a house fire.
- Sparking Outlets: A sparking outlet can be caused by damaged wires, a poor connection or other issues. Sparks pose a serious safety concern and can easily lead to a fire, so they must be investigated as soon as possible.
- A Burning Smells: If you smell something burning, you should immediately investigate the matter. When the protective cover on electrical wires burns, your wires are overheated. When the raw wires are exposed, the risk of a fire increases dramatically.
- A Buzzing Sound: Electricity should run through the wires and reach the outlets and fixtures without sound. However, a frayed wire or issues with the prongs or outlets can make a buzzing sound. This is because the electricity is not properly contained, and the current is jumping.
- Tangled Wires: Whether you are in the attic or opening interior walls for a home improvement project, you can easily see the handiwork of the home’s last electrician. When the wires are extremely disorganized, uneven or jumbled, the wiring may not be installed properly. An electrical inspection is necessary in this situation.
- Tripped Breakers
The breakers and fuses in your home prevent the electrical system from being overloaded. When you turn on a light or plug a cord into an outlet, the electricity across that entire circuit should not go out. If it does, your circuit is likely overloaded and needs to be serviced.
When to Call a Professional
The electricity in your home is not something to mess around with. Electrical issues can lead to serious property damage and serious injuries or worse. If you have noticed any of these concerning signs, schedule a diagnostic service with an electrician today.
