Many homeowners have questions about electrical safety and whether their homes are up to code. Here are some signs that you may have an electrical problem in your home. If you see any of these seven signs of electrical problems, it’s time to call a professional electrician.
Flickering Lights are Your First Signs of Electrical Problems
Flickering lights may seem minor, but it could indicate a more significant problem with the wiring or electrical connections. Flickering lights can signal that your circuits are overloaded, or there could be a short somewhere in the circuit. Call an electrician if you notice multiple lights in your home flickering.
Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
Circuit breakers are designed to prevent power overloads. If your circuit breaker trips more than once, you may have too many appliances drawing power from the same circuit. This could be a sign of an electrical issue, so it’s best to call a professional who can diagnose the problem and take appropriate action. You can try disconnecting or powering down unnecessary appliances to relieve some of the stress on the circuit.
Buzzing Sounds
If you hear buzzing or humming coming from your outlets or light fixtures, chances are you have an electrical issue. This could be due to several things, from loose connections to faulty wiring. Whatever the cause, it’s essential to get this checked out by an electrician as soon as possible.
Sparks or Burning Smells are Obvious Signs of Electrical Problems
If you ever see sparks from your outlets or smell a burning odor, you should turn off the power immediately and call an electrician. This could be a sign of severe electrical problems that need to be addressed right away. Stop using any devices or appliances that are sparking or smoking immediately.
Brown Stains or Discoloration
Discolored outlets, wires, and fixtures can indicate an electrical issue. Brown spots on your outlets could indicate arcing between the contacts in the outlet or that it’s not adequately grounded. If you notice discoloration around any power sources, don’t attempt to repair it yourself; call an electrician instead.
Hot Outlets are Definite Signs of Electrical Problems
If you ever touch a power source and feel it’s hot, this is cause for concern. It could be due to an excessive current flowing through the outlet or faulty wiring. Never try to fix this issue alone; always call a professional electrician immediately.
No Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
Your home should be equipped with GFCIs in areas exposed to water, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and outdoors. If you don’t have any GFCIs installed, your home is not up to code, and you could be at risk. Contact a qualified electrician to install and inspect GFCIs in your home as soon as possible.
These are just some common signs that you may have an electrical issue in your home. If you notice any warning signals, it’s best to call a qualified electrician immediately for a full inspection. Don’t risk your safety by neglecting a potential electrical issue in your home, and stay safe!
A Superior Inspection, LLC offers inspection services to homebuyers and sellers in Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. Contact us to schedule an appointment.