Seeking Electrical Repairs

Four Signs That Could Indicate Electrical Problems

As a homeowner, taking notice of your electrical wiring and appliances in the home is so important. After all, if there are problems, it poses a huge threat to fire or fatal electric shock. Here are four specific signs that could indicate you have electrical problems that need to be checked out.

  1. Trips: If your circuit breaker is tripping, chances are it's because the circuit is overloaded. The best way to resolve this would be to try plugging in the appliance that's being used to a different outlet. If you are using an extension cord, keep in mind that this could easily be overloading the circuit. Another reason for this could simply be because the circuit is old and needs to be replaced. Whatever the case, if plugging the appliance into a different outlet doesn't help, you should call an electrician for inspection. 
  2. Shock: Electric shock is definitely a concern that could be the result of improper wiring that will need to be inspected and fixed. Of course, this shock feeling could simply be because of static in the air in the winter, especially if you were walking on a carpeted surface before touching the appliance. Still, if it happens more than once, you should have an inspection done just in case. 
  3. Flickering Lights: Flickering lights are likely due to a loose or defective bulb. Chances are, once you replace or tighten the bulb, the flickering will stop. However, if it doesn't, it probably means that there is a problem with the wiring that you will want to get inspected. Otherwise, a fire could easily break out in the home. 
  4. ​Outlet or Switch Doesn't Work: In this specific situation, chances are the wiring is either loose or unwired. Chances are, you want to get it fixed even though it's not a danger since you aren't plugging anything in the broken outlet. Being able to utilize all outlets in the home is important for preventing overheating. You also definitely want to have it fixed if there is a wire poking out from an outlet, which is a huge danger, especially to children and pets. 

These are just four signs that could indicate electrical problems in the home. Of course, there are other possible signs that show a possible electrical problem. If you notice anything that seems off, it never hurts to get an electrical inspection, which you should be doing regularly for your home anyway. Local electricians can offer more information.