Common Home Electrical Issues

Your electrical system is a necessity for your home, and electrical problems need to be handled right away to maintain a safe living environment. A home electrical inspection from Anchor Home Inspection can find potential hazards so you can get things fixed right away.

Electrical issues are part of life, especially in older homes, but most problems are pretty easy to find before they become a major hazard. Light switches that stop working, lights that dim or brighten unexpectedly, and outlets that spark when you plug or unplug appliances are some problems that you might notice when you have electrical issues.

Another problem that might occur in your home electrical system is mismatched circuits, wires, and outlets. For safe, efficient operation, the wires and outlets need to have the same amperage as the circuit. Loose circuit breakers can also cause a problem.

Older homes might have old wiring that has worn down over time, and these could become dangerous to your home if they aren’t replaced. If you’re buying or renovating a home, you should include an electrical inspection as part of your whole-home inspection.

Signs You Need an Electrical Inspection

Typically, your electrical problems are hidden  behind your walls or in your attic. There are some signs you can look for to determine whether there might be a problem, though. A circuit breaker that trips often is an indicator of a hidden electrical issue. Unusually high electric bills may also signal a potential issue somewhere in the system.

Hot outlets are not typical, so if your outlet is hot to the touch when you unplug in an appliance, you should have an electrical inspector check out the wiring leading to that plug. Discoloration spotted on an outlet cover or switch plate may also indicate issues with your electrical wiring.

Shocks can be a sign of poor grounding when touching metal devices in your home. Another big sign of an imminent problem is any burning smell, so if you notice this type of odor in your home, contact a professional as soon as possible.

Something you probably don’t think causes potential electrical problems in your home is rodent activity in your attic or walls. Rodents can cause issues because they chew on wires and damage the protective coating. Once the wires are gnawed through, the exposed area could present a fire danger. If you’ve had rodents in your home, consider an electrical inspection to rule out any wire damage.

Preparing for Electrical Inspection and Repair

New construction and renovations also need an electrical inspection to ensure that everything is properly set up and grounded before use. Keep any paperwork that details prior electrical work on your home so that the inspector can check it for compliance with local regulations. If your home inspector finds issues, you may need to search for an electrician near me to complete repairs before turning your electricity back on or using certain outlets.