You may not be able to see the wiring in your home, but it is definitely something that you shouldn't ignore. Not only can faulty wiring cause problems with the items that are plugged in throughout your home, but it is a potential fire risk as well. Here are some things to look out for that could help identify a potential wiring problem.
Your Circuit Breakers Trip Regularly
The purpose of the circuit breakers in your home's electrical panels is to prevent electrical fires from occurring. If the circuit starts to overload, the circuit breaker is going to trip and cause the circuit to shut down completely. If you have circuit breakers in your home that keep tripping, know that this is a safety measure to tell you that something is wrong. It may be time to split a single circuit into two separate circuits, or replace old wiring in the walls that is failing.
Your Home Has Aluminum Wiring
Was your home built at some point between 1965 and 1973? It is possible that your home was built with aluminum wiring. This type of wiring was not used for very long because it was found to be inferior to other materials like copper. Aluminum wiring is going to overheat much easier, and is at a greater risk of causing an electrical fire. Homes built within those eight years should definitely have the wiring inspected to see if there are aluminum wires. If this is the case, consider replacing them with copper.
Your Lights Are Flickering
Do you have lights in your home flicker occasionally? While this could be the sign of a bad light bulb, it is also possibly due to the wiring being loose. If the wire does come loose from its connection, it is possible that the electricity will arc and run the risk of starting a fire. Don't write these problems off to a bad light bulb, especially if it keeps happening after replacing the bulb.
Your Outlets Or Switches Have A Burning Odor
Have you noticed an odd odor coming from electrical outlets or switches in your home? This is all potentially due to an outlet overheating and causing that plastic in the outlets or switch to burn. The best way to investigate the problem is to bring in an electrician to find out why this is happening. Wiring inside the wall could be damaged or expired and need to be repaired.
For more information, contact a company like Express Electrical Services.
Share25 May 2021
Do your outlets feel warm when you touch them? Have you had to reset your circuits more often than you would like to admit? These problems might seem like a minor annoyance, but they can actually lead to bigger issues, like a house fire, if you ignore them. So who should you call? An electrician, of course! One of these pros will look over your home, find the problem, and make the necessary fixes so you can live in improved safety. You need an electrician's number on your fridge, and you also need to know the basics about the services these pros offer. We've collected tons of articles to help you reach these goals.
