Did you know that 51,000 home electrical fires happen each year? This scary statistic should make you wonder if your home is having a severe electrical problem.
But how do you even know if you are having one? Thankfully, our guide is here to help you with the most common electrical problem signs.
1. Odd Smells
One of the first signs of an electrical problem is odd smells coming from the electrical outlet. If this is happening in your home, unplug all of the connections attached to the outlet. It’s best to not use this outlet until a residential electrician has checked on it.
2. Low-Quality Electrical Parts
All electrical parts must follow a standard that is set by the government or the electrical industry. However, many homeowners purchase electrical products such as light bulbs and extension cords from counterfeit sellers, without even knowing!
So to avoid an electrical issue, only buy products from high-quality stores and ensure they have an Underwriters Laboratory seal!
3. Arc Defects
Many times what an electrical company will see when they do an inspection is a bad arc. This happens when the circuit deviates from the original pathway. This kind of default happens because of bad wires.
And if left untreated, can turn into a major electrical fire! That’s why hiring an electrical company with experience is necessary. Oftentimes, it’s very hard to see these issues.
But luckily, once detected, an arc-fault circuit interrupter can be installed. This device will help balance out the bad wiring so that the circuit can work properly.
4. Hot Outlets
One of the biggest electrical problem signs is hot outlets! Although it’s normal for electrical appliances to generate some heat, it’s not normal for the outlet to get hot.
If you do have hot outlets, unplug all connections and stop using the affected outlet. An electrical company will treat the outlet by using dimmer switches. These kinds of switches can disperse the heat so that overheating never occurs.
5. Odd Noises
One of the most common signs of an electrical issue is hearing a buzzing or sizzling sound. This sound will typically only be heard for a second once you turn on a light or plug something in. And because it’s so easy to miss, many homeowners go on to use these devices well past their intended time frame.
So if you’re experienced this issue, you could have a faulty circuit. You could also have electrical parts that are too deteriorated and need replacing. So you’ll want to turn off your power and call an electrical company immediately.
6. Broken or Lose Accessories
If you’re having issues in your home with broken or loose outlets, you could have bad or loose wiring! And this is a huge electrical fire hazard that should not be overlooked.
Even if you have a semi-loose outlet, it could be a huge red flag. In fact, someone could get shocked by the exposed wiring coming out of a loose outlet!
7. Flickering Lights
Flickering light does not mean you have ghosts in your house. This actually means you have a severe electrical issue– which is a lot scarier than any ghost, believe us!
If you’re experiencing flickering with every light fixture, you may have issues with your breaker box. However, if you’re only experiencing flickering on one light fixture, then you have bad wiring. Either way, it’s always best to get a professional to check out these issues.
8. Hot Fixtures
Just like an outlet, your ceiling fixtures could aslo be a sign of an electrical issue. So first check that you are using the recommended bulb wattage. Not doing so, can cause your electrical components to overwork themselves and produce unwanted heat.
It’s recommended that you use LED bulbs as they produce less heat and fewer UVB rays. However, if you did this and you’re still experiencing the same issue, call a professional!
9. Rodent Droppings
Rodent issues can leave you with multiple issues. And sadly, electrical issues are one of them.
This is because rodents like to gnaw on electrical wiring. When they do so the wiring becomes frayed which becomes a fire hazard. So if you have rodent problems, check your wiring for any bites or missing pieces. If you do notice some gnawing you’ll need to call a rodent company and an electrical company at once!
10. Problems With Your Circuit Breaker
Your circuit breaker is the powerhouse of all of your electrical components. And sometimes, it will purposely trip when it becomes overloaded. Circuit breakers will do this, to prevent any overheating, which is good!
And although it’s normal for this to occur a few times, extreme circuit trips mean your home has severe electrical problems. In these, cases you’ll have to get a full electrical system rundown to assess what components are causing the problem.
11. Burning Odor
Last but not least, any burning smells should be a huge red flag for you! In some cases, you may need to call the fire department first. But to avoid this scary situation, ensure you follow the above steps.
However, if you have and you’re still experiencing a burning odor then this means your wiring is melting! This will occur when the electrical system becomes too hot. In this case, it’s best to turn off all and unplug all electrical parts and call a professional.
Assessing Electrical Problem Mistakes Is Easy
An electrical problem does not have to turn into the worst-case scenario, aka a house fire. So by following our tips on how to assess electrical issues, you’ll avoid future complications.
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