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Did you know that most fire hazards are caused due to electrical problems that go undetected for years on end? A National Fire Protection Association report found that between the years 2010 and 2014, over 420 deaths occurred due to home fires as a result of electrical failures and malfunction, not to mention over 1370 injuries and nearly $1.4 billion in damage.
Most electrical problems can’t be fixed by following simple DIY blogs and videos on the internet. They require the aid of professional electricians in Tyler, TX, to secure your home from unwanted electrical emergencies.
There are several telltale signs that you can look for before you make that call.
Below are eight signs that it’s time to call a professorial plumber to prevent an unwanted disaster.
1. Flickering and Dimming Light Fixtures
Flickering lights are annoying and fairly common. The reasons for a flickering light bulb are fairly benign, but in some rare cases, it points towards a major electrical problem that should be resolved as soon as possible.
Most light fixtures will flicker when a load is unexpectedly activated, which occurs when you turn on another switch or electrical appliance. Even the most expertly designed electrical systems can only minimize flickers, not completely eliminate them.
But if you start noticing the light bulbs flickering a lot more than usual, it could be a sign of a more serious electrical issue. You’re looking at possible loose electrical connections or overheating wires which aren’t designed to sustain such loads. This is an extremely dangerous problem that should be immediately looked into by a professional electrician.
2. Exposed Live Wires
Uncovered wires pose a serious threat to everyone inside. It is common for people to drag their electrical extension cable to areas around the house that don’t have sockets in place. This inadvertently leaves a trail of electrical wires that people and pets could risk touching and tripping over. The potential trip hazard could result in injuries to people and damage to appliances.
Give your electrician a call and have them install power sockets at convenient locations around the house.
3. Circuit Breaker Trips
Circuit breakers are engineered to trip at the slightest hint of electrical issues. This commonly happens when a circuit is drawing in more current than it is intended to carry. The biggest culprit is too many electrical appliances or light fixtures operating simultaneously, causing the breaker’s internal sensing mechanism to heat up and trip.
When the circuit finally breaks, it becomes inactive and blocks the flow of electricity. The circuit will remain inactive until the lever is forced back to the ON position, and doing so will reset the internal spring system. The fact that the breaker had to trip in the first place is a sign that you need to call in a professional electrician to troubleshoot and diagnose the problem.
4. Electrical Switches Getting Warm
It is perfectly acceptable for light switches to be slightly warm to the touch, but if you notice them getting too hot to touch, this could indicate a problem. If you’re unable to touch the switch for more than a second because it’s too hot, call your electrician. The switch could be failing, getting overloaded with too much power, or possibly has faulty electrical wiring.
You’ll need a professional electrician to fix this problem.
5. Bathroom and Kitchen in Disrepair
Humidity and moisture are already running at high levels in your bathroom and kitchen areas. This isn’t good for electrical outlets and will prove to be hazardous if they are not properly installed by a professional. Even the tiniest bit of condensation can be dangerous if the electrical supply is not properly insulated.
Certain parts around the world have special electrical codes when it comes to installations in high humid areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. It is strongly recommended to call your electrician to carry out the problematic electrical installation work needed to make your kitchen and bathroom areas safe.
6. Receiving Electrical Shocks
Electric shocks, whether they’re of a mild or extreme variety, are not supposed to occur at all. They are dangerous for adults and pose a serious threat of injury to toddlers and pets. There is no ‘acceptable’ level of electrical shocks; even the tiniest should be reason enough to call your electrician. Electricity will take any excuse to flow through humans; all it needs is to find the path of least resistance. If the human body provides the least resistive path, it will flow – causing devastating damage or even death.
7. Overloading Sockets
It is extremely common for homeowners to hook up their 4-way or even 10-way extension plugs to increase the number of appliances they can plug into their wall sockets. But just because you now have space to plug ten appliances into the wall socket doesn’t mean that is always the safest idea.
Additional appliances put a strain on the socket, circuit, and at times, the whole system. Using a few low-powered appliances is okay, but high-powered electrical devices should have their own dedicated electrical supplies. Ignoring the voltage limitations of your socket can increase the risk of fire hazards and might even lead to electrocution.
The best solution is to call an electrician to install additional sockets for high-powered electrical appliances.
8. Old and Outdated Electrical Wiring Systems
More than 55,000 house fires occur every year in the United States because of faulty electrical wiring that hasn’t been updated in several years. If your home is more than 30 years old, it is highly recommended to have a licensed electrician evaluate it for signs of damage and, if possible, update the electrical system.
Have licensed electricians from Mister Sparky of East Texas thoroughly evaluate your electrical outlets and secure your home from the dangers of electrical fires. Give us a call for a consultation!
