6 Warning Signs of Faulty Electrical Wiring in Your Home

 

In the United States alone, thousands of electrical fires flare up every year. The loss of a home due to fire is devastating but not an uncommon phenomenon, which is usually due to faulty, outdated, or otherwise damaged wiring. The important thing is not to become a part of this tragic statistic.

 As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to spot signs of electrical problems in the home. Spotting these signs works mainly towards your benefit because fire is a highly destructive force, forcing anyone who suffers through one to start completely from scratch, losing irreplaceable things.

 If you are unsure of what to look for, here are six signs of electrical problems in your home.

 Circuit Breaker Tripping

A circuit breaking is there to shut the power off if your system were to overload for any reason. Most of the time, you’ll find the circuit breaking tripping when too many devices are plugged in and running at the same time. Turning power back on is easy, as all it requires is a flip of the switch.

 If you find the circuit breaking at home tripping frequently and for what appears to be no reason, it’s a sign the home has electrical issues. The best step to take is to call an electrician that could help you determine if there is something wrong.

 Flickering and Buzzing

Outdated or damaged wiring can present itself through flickering, buzzing, or dimming lights. Even if the breaker doesn’t shut off, if the lights begin to act strangely when appliances are running, it’s a good indication that something needs to be looked after. Flickering lights are usually the first sign that the wiring could be outdated. Never attempt to check this out on your own since such symptoms could indicate a need for a professional upgrade.

 Frayed or Chewed Wiring

Though it may not be obvious right away, pets and rodents, sometimes even ants, can chew up the wiring inside of your home. Chewing through the metal wire may not be something they could do, but they can definitely get through the insulation and expose the wire. Exposed wires have a strong potential to become a hazard.

 This type of problem may be harder to find because you have to catch the rodent or ant red-handed, but once you do, it’s best to check out your wires. Some of the wires you could replace yourself, such as extension or appliance cords, but for other wires, it’s best to hire a professional.

 Discoloration or Smoke

An obvious sign of a wiring problem is discoloration or smoke coming out of any socket in the house. It’s important, therefore, to routinely check each socket, even those behind furniture, for any possibility of issues. Discoloration and smoke mean that the socket and the wiring around it are releasing heat and could potentially start a fire. For this type of fix, an electrician is an appropriate person to call as you do not want to mess around with live electricity in a socket.

 Vibrating, Burning, and Odorous Outlets

Not something homeowners think to check for, but every once in a while, you should check your outlets for vibrations or a discernable warmth. Wiring should not be giving off any such problems when it is in good working order. Outlets that are vibrating or giving off heat do not bode well and should have a licensed electrician take a look.

 When examining your home for potential electrical issues, it’s best to use all of our senses. Smelling around the outlets is as important as touching them. If you smell something odd or a burning scent, it’s a clear sign that there might be an electrical problem an electrician should review.

 Electrical Plan

As a precaution, you could also make sure you are not overloading the wires inside the home. A prepaid electricity plan can be just the ticket to ensure you know the amount of electricity going through your home. Since you only pay for the amount of electricity you will use for the month, it minimizes the chance of overwhelming the wiring in your home. It may extend the life of the wiring inside your home, lowering the possibility of an electrical fire starting.

 Electrical safety tips need to be taken seriously for the good of the home and the family. A fire has the ability to destroy everything it touches and is definitely something you’d want to avoid. Replacing an entire home and the possessions inside is much more costly than taking the tips above and spending time inspecting your home periodically.

 At least once a year, take a look through your home as a way to check for any discoloration, buzzing, flickering, or tripping circuit breakers. Faulty electric wiring has been the. Cause of thousands of lost homes a year, and everyone should work toward preventing that from happening. Whenever you find any indication that there may be something wrong with the wiring, reach out to your local licensed electrician who could take an expert look at your home to ensure it is safe.