Top 10 Reasons to Call an Electrician:
With increased electrical demands due to today’s technology and other electrical requirements, it is always advisable to consider having an electrical service checkup. Unless your home was built quite recently, it’s likely that the electrical system needs some upgrading or repair. New electrical codes are making homes safer and it’s important to keep up with the changes. Older homes are especially hard-pressed to keep up with today’s electrical demands. The symptoms are obvious, but are often overlooked or ignored. Here’s what to look for:
Top 10 Reasons to Call an Electrician:
- “System Interruptus” puts you in the dark. If circuit breakers trip often or fuses blow frequently, your circuits are drawing more current than they can safely provide. This may also indicate a dangerous fault on one or more circuits.
- The lights flicker. When the fridge or air conditioner comes on, do the ceiling lights dim? Many motor-driven appliances draw lots of current and should be wired on dedicated circuits. If smaller appliances also cause problems, consider adding a 20-amp line to service them.
- There’s an octopus at many outlets. If plug strips and multi-receptacle add-ons are strangling your outlets, you’re electrical system is working beyond capacity. Additional circuits with duplex receptacles are needed to restore order – and safety.
- Rug bumps mess up the carpet. If you’re living room looks like a snake farm with wires running under the rugs and furniture, you definitely need more outlets. If some of those wires are extension cords, your outlets are too far apart.
- Three into two won’t go. Many older homes have outlets that won’t accept three-pronged plugs. This is a bigger problem than not being able to plug in the microwave oven – it could indicate that your wiring system is not fully grounded, and you’re not completely safe.
- The old standards just don’t apply. When you remove an outlet or switch cover, do you find bits of black rubber in the box? Are the wires covered in cloth instead of plastic? “Yes” means the insulation on the wires is antiquated and dangerously deficient for today’s electrical needs.
- You get a warm, tingly feeling all over. Are outlets, switches, or other electrical-system surfaces warm to the touch? Do you see any blackening on the switch plate or wall, switch-terminals, or wire ends? Does a switch or outlet give a mild shock? The problem could be too much demand on the circuit or something far more complicated and dangerous.
- It’s not safe to go near the water. Wet locations such as kitchens, baths, and utility rooms, as well as grounded areas like your basement or garage, now require outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, or GFCI’s. Easy retrofit installation will make your home code-compliant and safe. If GFCI’s have already been installed, test their reset buttons to be sure they’re working properly.
- Rust is slowly taking over. If you notice rust or moisture on or under your home’s main service panel, it’s a sign that something’s wrong. Deterioration at the panel threatens the main wiring connections within and could indicate similar problems throughout your electrical system.
- It’s not getting better – just older. If your home is more than 25 years old and you’ve never upgraded your electrical service, you may be living with an inadequate and possibly hazardous wiring system. Have an electrician inspect it as soon as possible – and, if necessary, bring it up to today’s code standards.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Electrical Service Checkup – Don’t forget your outside electrical equipment.
- Electrical equipment can deteriorate over time due to outside exposure. Take time and check to make sure the meter box is intact and attached securely to your home. Check if the service entrance cable is strapped to the house and also for exposed wires, cracks, or a deteriorated outer jacket. Make sure the service head and point of attachment are also still attached securely to your home.
- For your safety, any deteriorated or defective wiring or equipment on your electric service must be repaired or replaced to eliminate hazards. If you are unsure of the condition of your equipment, contact a licensed electrician immediately to have it checked.
SMOKE DETECTORS:
New electrical codes require smoke detectors (120 volt hardwired, with battery back-up, interconnected) in all bedrooms and on each level of the house. Also, if your house has fossil fuel fired heating (i.e. gas, oil, propane) it requires carbon monoxide detectors near the furnace and near the bedrooms. Is your home, your assets, and your family properly protected?
Give us a call for a free estimate for any of your electrical needs. Call 1-800-953-VOLT (8658), 1-866-462-7025, or 410-658-7853.
