A circuit breaker trips every now and then. Lights flicker in your kitchen or somewhere else in your home on occasion. You have an older home with an equally old electrical system. Are any of these factors cause for concern? Well, electrical problems can be serious, even if their symptoms don’t seem dire right away. Electrical fires account for a lot more injuries and property damage than you may realize.
Upgrading your home’s electrical system can help reduce the risk of electrical fires or electric shock, but how do you know if your home needs this upgrade? It’s true, you can’t always tell on your own. You might have to call in a licensed electrician to inspect your system—and that’s what we’re here for! We are happy to inspect your system regardless of whether or not you know something is wrong. To further assist you with the latter, though, we’ve shared some signs that you may need a professional electrician right away, below.
When it’s Time to Call in a Pro
The issues we have listed below put your home at risk. While some of them may only require a quick fix, other electrical problems may necessitate a major overhaul of your electrical system, and certainly require the work of a professional electrician.
- You constantly have to reset breakers or replace fuses.
- You have lights that are frequently flickering or dimming. You may notice this when you are using another appliance in your home—and this is a sign that your circuits are overloaded, when they shouldn’t be.
- Your light switches are hot to the touch and light bulbs burn out too quickly.
- You hear buzzing coming from light fixtures, your circuit breaker panel, or even from your walls where the wires run behind.
- You smell a burning odor coming from outlets or anywhere in your home. You see sparks when you plug something in, and/or get an electric shock when you do this.
When You Should Have Your Electrical System Inspected
Alright, so perhaps you aren’t experiencing any of the above-mentioned problems, aside from possibly a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. Still, though, you might want to have an electrician check on your home, just to be sure that the wiring is safe. This is particularly true if:
- You’ve just recently moved into an older home and are unsure of when the last electrical inspection was.
- You use numerous power strips and/or extension cords.
- You’ve had new fixtures installed that use a lot of voltage.
- There are two-pronged outlets throughout your home—particularly in rooms that use water (your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room, namely).
The Updates You May Need
It’s natural that you might assume all that’s needed in the event of an electrical problem is a circuit breaker replacement. Sometimes, this is the case. However, most of the time your electrical system will need a more complex upgrade than just the circuit breakers.
Your home might not be drawing in enough amps to accommodate the appliances and equipment in your home, and therefore you may need an electrical panel replacement/upgrade. We’re happy to discuss your options with you to help you make an informed decision about the next steps to take.
Contact Servall Electric Company today for your Blue Ash, OH electrical services. See how we’ve been “Creating Sustainability through Bright Ideas.”
