Signs Your Home Needs an Electrician

Does it feel like your house suddenly has a mind of its own? Do the constantly flickering lights remind you of all those horror movies? Before you start suspecting the supernatural, it’s probably best to think about something other than a ghost hidden behind your walls – wires!

Electrical wiring is the lifeblood of any home and yet not many of us give it a second thought. If you’re located on Philadelphia a professional electrician will know exactly how dangerous shoddy electrical work can be. Worry not! You can prevent most electrical fires if you catch the clear warning signs early on.

Circuit Breaker Trips Often

The circuit breaker in your home is designed for the express purpose of preventing overloads to the system. So it should not alarm you if one trips every now and then. However, if you find that your breaker trips regularly then some concern is probably warranted. This happens when there’s significant stress on the circuit, caused by too many appliances plugged into one outlet. So it is probably a good idea to reduce the number of power-hungry appliances from that location. If the problem persists, it is highly likely that there is a fault in your home’s electrical wiring.

Unusual Smells

Do you smell something burning around the house? Don’t see an obvious source for the smell? Chances are you’ve come across the deadliest indicators of electrical problems in homes. You must trace the smell to its origin. If it’s not coming from any place you can think of, try the outlets around the house. If you confirm the source of the smell to be an outlet, you could have an electrical fire to contend with. In such situations, it is best to act promptly. Unplug all appliances and contact a professional right away!

Keep an Eye on Outlets

Outlets are the most visible components of any electrical wiring system. As such, they can provide the clearest signals that something isn’t right and that there may be an issue with the wiring in your home. If outlets are falling off and become worn out, it is a good time to replace them or they could lead to serious trouble down the road. If you feel the outlet is warm to touch, this is a clear indication that the wiring underneath is running unusually hot. If the outlet has stopped working completely, or regularly malfunctions, it might be time to call an electrician. Not doing so could result in serious losses for you.

Furthermore, make sure there is no buzzing sound radiating from your outlets. Electricity is not meant to be noisy! It should move silently through the walls into your appliances. If you hear a buzz, remove the appliance and try another one. If the noise persists, unplug all appliances and call a professional. Another warning sign that people often ignore is outlets that are discolored or burnt. This too is a key indicator that something isn’t right.

Watch Out for Rodents

Don’t turn a blind eye to any wires that seem to have been nibbled or chewed on. These are the clearest indications of a pest infestation. While already a problem on its own, this is complicated rats love to chew on wires to shape their teeth. In doing so, they cause serious damage to the crucial electrical wiring in your home. This could prove to be a recipe for disaster, so stay alert! Inspect your home regularly for droppings and if you find them, call an exterminator immediately. Once the pests are taken care of, conduct a thorough examination of the wiring to make sure you’re not at risk for an electrical fire.

Flickering Fixtures

The image of lights flickering will forever be associated with horror movies. It’s important to determine whether the source of the problem is truly a faulty bulb or something deeper. Lights don’t blink without a reason, so if you just changed the bulb and the issue remained then it’s probably an issue with the wiring in the house. It’s best to seek assistance from a professional who can best advise you on how to proceed.

Twisted and Tangled Wiring

Many electricians don’t bother arranging the wiring in a manner that ensures long-term safety for the tenants. Tangled wiring can indicate a rushed job, which is never a good sign when the smallest of mishaps can threaten people’s lives. Make sure that the wiring in your house is sorted properly and if it looks messy or untidy, reach out to an electrician.

Stay Alert

Now that you’ve seen all the signs, you know that none of these is particularly difficult to spot. What is often challenging for most people is staying alert and on the lookout for them. It takes a lot of time and effort to prevent an electrical fire. Once you’re determined that you’re at risk for one it is also important to react quickly and not to let the situation get out of hand. When time is of the essence and the safety of you and your loved ones is at risk, it is best to leave the job to professionals like us at BG Electrical Service LLC. We are one of the leading electrician in Philadelphia, and can use our years of experience to deliver safety and peace of mind for you and your family. Contact us to learn more about our services.