Electrical issues are intimidating to handle when you don’t have a background in electrical engineering. Nearly 47,000 electrical fires occur annually in the United States, and many can be prevented by working with electrical services. You don’t need to be a professional electrician to identify your home’s electricity issues.
Issues like a tripped breaker, flickering lights, and singed wires are clear signs that you should call an electrician and get help. Many homeowners put that phone call off or ignore the issues to save a few dollars, but there are some signs you should never ignore.
Fortunately, you’re in the right spot to learn about the seven signs to look for to determine when you need to hire a professional electrician. Continue reading to get the help you need for your home’s electrical issues today!
1. Flickering Lights
It’s not normal for the lights in your home to flicker consistently, and it’s a sign of a significant problem if they’re flickering when you’re using appliances. They seem like an inconvenience on the surface, but they’re a sign of a more substantial issue that you should get resolved to keep your family safe.
The real issue begins when the flickering lights regain their brightness after a few seconds. It’s simple to brush the matter off as insignificant. The problem is that your flickering lights are a symptom of an overloaded circuit or bad wiring.
It’s not a hazard in its present state, but it will become one if you continue ignoring the problem. Waiting too long to call an electrician could cause your household to go without power or face the danger of an electrical fire.
2. Singed Wires
Another clear sign that you should hire electrical services to assist with your home’s issues is singed wires in your home’s fuse box. A responsible homeowner checks the fuse box every few months to ensure all wires are functioning and in good shape. It’s a precautionary measure that could keep you and your family safe.
Regular inspections will help you prevent singed wires in your home. You can replace wires that look singed or damaged to avoid electrical issues and potential fire hazards. The power in your home will flow freely, so you can enjoy using your appliances and running the lights.
3. Burning Smells
Burning smells when running the electricity in your home should set off alarm bells in more ways than one. A mysterious and smoky scent in your home is a bad sign that something is overheating or a fire is starting. It’s bad luck to experience a significant electric issue like this in your home, but try to trace the smell to your fuse box or an electrical outlet.
There are steps you’ll want to take when the burning smell permeates your home. Turn the power off to your home immediately to prevent a fire and significant damage. After cutting the power to your home, call an electrician to investigate the issue and develop a plan to fix it.
Most burning smells in your home are the result of an electrical fire. Working with this electrician in philadelphia is an excellent way to keep your family safe and your home intact. You shouldn’t need to see smoke to realize you have a severe hazard on your hands.
4. Warm Wall Outlets
Wall outlets should never be warm when you touch them. Smoke and burning smells are obvious signs you need to hire electrical services, but warm outlets are more subtle and less likely to be noticed. It’s a sign of a growing electrical fire in your home.
It’s wise to check your house’s wall outlets consistently to ensure they’re not getting hot. Use the back of your hand since it’s more sensitive.
If the outlet feels warm to the touch, call an electrician and have them investigate the problem. The most likely cause of the warm outlets is faulty wiring in your home.
5. Buzzing Sounds
Buzzing sounds in the walls are another sign that you should call an electrician for help. Electrical buzzing is challenging to diagnose if you’re not a professional electrician. The buzzing could be caused by any number of things in your home.
The ideal scenario is your electrical system’s buzzing sounds from loose screw terminals. You may also face a significant wiring issue if you hear buzzing in your walls. Pay attention to these buzzing sounds, which could be dangerous for your household.
Call an electrician and have them diagnose the problem. They have the skills, experience, and tools to determine and resolve the issue.
6. Tripped Circuit Breaker
A tripped breaker is a bad sign for a homeowner. Your circuit breaker going out will leave you and your family without light or power in the home. Faulty circuits are common, and it helps to hire electrical services if you notice your breaker going out frequently.
The repairs for a tripped breaker are extensive and dangerous, so it’s best to leave the task to a licensed professional. Shut off your home’s power and call an electrician to examine and fix your faulty breaker.
7. Moving to a New Home
It’s best to call an electrician for assistance if you’re moving to a new home. The adrenaline and happiness will be overwhelming, but you should do your due diligence with a significant investment, like a new home. The electrician will examine the new home’s wiring, breaker, and outlets to identify any issues.
They’ll give you a breakdown of anything faulty and the cost of repairing or replacing each component. It’s a wise move before putting a down payment on a new home.
Now You Know When to Hire Electrical Services
Some signs of residential electrical issues are more apparent, like a power outage or tripped breaker, while others are subtle. Knowing the signs to look for will help you identify dangerous situations and hire electrical services to assist you. Ignoring the signs will put your family and home in harm’s way.
Maintaining your home starts with identifying signs that something is wrong. Read more of our Home and Real Estate articles for the best tips and tricks to maintain your home and protect your family!