Electricity, an often overlooked yet crucial element in our daily lives, powers everything from our homes’ lighting to our essential appliances and devices. Without the electrical system, your home will come to a standstill.
Given its ubiquitous nature, one can easily overlook the maintenance of the home’s electrical system. However, you’re bound to run into electrical issues over time. If you encounter these issues, they must be addressed promptly to prevent further damage.
In this article, we’re sharing six warning signs of electricity issues, telling you to call an electrician ASAP!
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Tripping Circuits
The breaker box serves as the brain of your home’s electrical system. The power from the street lines feeds into this hub and is regulated through it. The circuit breaker panel serves as your home’s main distribution of electrical circuits.
Generally, these safety devices are designed to shield your home’s electrical circuitry from damage caused by overload or short circuits. While you may experience occasional tripping in your circuit breakers, it’s a different story if it keeps tripping. This signals a severe problem in your wiring, often indicating overload or short circuits.
According to a website called The Local Electrician, it’s essential to call a local electrician immediately to provide emergency services for your circuit breaker. Ignoring the issue for a longer period can result in electrical fires or circuit breakdowns. In general, the electrician will need to upgrade your breaker box or repair your circuit wiring.
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Burnt Smell
Only a handful of things are more alarming than noticing a burning smell in your room. Unless you’ve forgotten about your lunch on the stove, a burnt smell may indicate tiny electrical sparks or fires.
Whether you trace the smell back to an electrical outlet or fuse box or determine that it’s coming from behind the walls, it’s essential to turn off your home’s power immediately. Once safety measures are taken, an immediate assessment of the electrical system is required to identify and rectify the source of the smell.
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Deteriorating Electrical Panel
As mentioned before, your fuse box is the brain of your home’s electrical system. As such, it must stay functional and well-maintained. Visible damage, deterioration, or wear and tear, such as rusting or loose breakers, are warning signs that need immediate attention. The best electricians can help identify if your service panel can still be repaired or if you need to install a new one.
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Flickering Lights
Experiencing flickering lights is not just a nuisance, particularly during nighttime, but it could also signify serious underlying issues with your electrical system, potentially posing a threat to your safety.
Flickering or dim lights may seem like a minor inconvenience. However, it’s often a symptom of deteriorating electrical wiring or an overloaded circuit. Although it may not seem like a significant safety hazard, leaving it for longer can cause your home to lose power, or it may start a fire.
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You Have An Older Home
If you’re living in a house-built decades ago, the electrical system may be outdated. While it may seem fine, an outdated electrical system can pose serious problems, especially if it doesn’t follow current electrical codes.
For instance, outdated wiring may not be able to handle modern appliances, which can cause sparks or short circuits. Also, older homes may not be grounded, which can cause an electric shock. Another issue is the lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs), which may be problematic if you live near water sources.
A thorough inspection can identify shortcomings in your home’s electrical system, which can be improved with modern electrical features to ensure safety. While dealing with older homes is one thing, the situation becomes even more critical when you are planning to move into a new home.
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You’re Moving
When you decide to move to a new home, you need to take one of the most critical steps: hiring an electrician. Before signing any paperwork and closing the deal, a comprehensive assessment of the electrical condition of the house you’re buying is essential.
A skilled electrician will spot any potential issues with your electrical system. This way, you can ask for repair or replacement, ensuring you and your family can move to a safe home.
Takeaway
The electrical system in your home is one of the most crucial and potentially dangerous systems present. While it provides power to your home, if mishandled or left in disrepair, your electrical system can cause fire, injuries, and even fatalities.
Thus, if you ever notice any of the above-mentioned signs or encounter general issues with your electrical network, it’s essential to contact a qualified electrician immediately. This ensures the safety of your family and home.
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