14 Common Electrical Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore
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Homeowners can be blind sided by electrical problems that if not handled promptly can lead to expensive repairs or dangerous situations. It’s sometimes a simple flickering light that’s easy to ignore, but other times that light is a symptom of a much more serious issue hiding behind your walls. If you’re tempted to ignore minor electrical annoyances, you might regret it later.
The trick is to know when an issue might be the tip of the iceberg, and deal with it before it becomes a full blown emergency. So how do you know which ones need your attention right now and which ones you can flick and fix with the flick of a switch? Read on to find out.
Flickering Lights
It’s not just annoying if your lights keep flickering— it could be a sign of a bigger issue. This can happen because of loose or frayed wiring, or a circuit overloaded. Although it may seem like it is no big deal, unresolved flickering can cause electrical fires. If your lights are doing the cha cha, it’s always wise to have a professional take a look.
Tripping Circuit Breakers
Do you find that your circuit breaker trips every time you turn on the microwave or the hair dryer? Often, if your breaker keeps tripping, it means you have too many devices drawing power at once and the circuit is overloaded. This is a major fire hazard over time as wiring can overheat. Frequent occurrence of this might necessitate a sequel of your electrical system to modern power needs.
Frequent Light Bulb Burnouts
Are your light bulbs burnt out before you can replace them? If this happens with more frequency than usual, it could mean you have bad wiring, poor connections, or simply the wrong bulb, for your fixture. Either way, improper wiring can cause overheating and even fires, so it’s not something you should ignore.
Electrical Fixtures Buzzing Sounds
Although electricity is silent, when your electrical fixtures start buzzing, it’s time to listen up. Loose wiring or a faulty switch can be dangerous if ignored and both of these will make a buzzing sound. If you hear buzzing out of a fixture turn the power off and have it checked.
Dead Outlets
It’s frustrating when an outlet dies, but it is also a sign that there could be wiring problems. A tripped breaker might be the reason behind an outlet suddenly stopping working, but if even resetting the breaker doesn’t fix the problem, you may have a wiring issue. And ignoring dead outlets can create further electrical failures.
Sparks When Plugging In
It never helps when plugging in an appliance starts a spark. It could be a short circuit, exposed wiring or a slighly worn out outlet. Sparks are a big fire hazard, so if you see sparks, stop using the outlet and call for repairs.
Warm Outlets or Switches
According to Haas and Sons Electric, outlets and switches should never be warm to the touch. If you see heat coming from them, that’s a red flag, there may be bad wiring or the circuit is overloaded. If left unchecked, this could easily become an electrical fire. If you feel heat or see scorch marks, turn off the power and call a pro.
Burning Smell
And if you ever smell something burning, particularly around outlets or switches, don’t delay. Turn off the power, and call an electrician immediately. If wires are overheating or shorting out, a burning smell can mean you have a fire in the making if it’s not addressed quickly.
Overloaded Power Strips
Power strips are used by many homes to handle all their electronic devices. However, if too many gadgets are plugged into one strip, the circuit is overloaded. This not only strains your electrical system, but it also raises the danger of overheating and fire. To avoid this, it’s best to spread devices out over multiple outlets and circuits.
Loose Outlet Plugs
If plugs appear to just fall out of outlets, that means the outlet is worn out and the outlet isn’t holding the plug tightly enough. Short circuits caused by loose plugs can result in electrical shocks or a house fire scenario. Loose outlets are a problem, don’t ignore them and get them replaced before something goes wrong.
Old Wiring
Old wiring in homes, especially those built before the 1980s, may put you at greater risk of electrical fires. The electrical load of your modern devices exceeds the capacity of older wiring; and over time, wiring can deteriorate. If you have an older home and are having a lot of electrical issues, it is worth having an electrician come in and check your wiring for safety.
The GFCI Outlets Aren’t Working
GFCI outlets are a lifesaver—literally. They are these outlets are designed to prevent electric shock in such as damp areas as bathrooms and kitchens. If your GFCI outlets don’t work properly or don’t trip when they are supposed to, this can be a major safety hazard. Faulty GFCIs should be replaced to keep your home electrically safe.
Aluminum Wiring
In some homes built in the 1960s and ’70s, the cheaper alternative to copper was aluminum wiring. Aluminum wiring, however, will loosen over time and cause overheating and fires, as CA Electrical Group attests. If your home has aluminum wiring, it may be a good idea to have it replaced or retrofitted with copper connectors.
Faulty Light Switches
When your light switches aren’t working correctly (they only work sometimes or crackle when turned) it’s not just an inconvenience. Faulty switches may indicate problems with the wiring or the switch, and can cause electrical shorts, possibly even fires. Check out those switches before they cause worse problems.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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