Your home’s electrical system is a complex thing that requires upkeep and updates to stay in working order. Whether through neglect, accidents, or just regular wear and tear, it can develop issues over time. Below are some of the most common home electrical issues you might find in your home.
The Top Culprit: Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring is one of the most common home electrical issues out there, and it can be caused by faulty installation and repairs, aging infrastructure, and pest damage. This can lead to problems like electrical fires, shorts, and power outages.
If you suspect there may be an issue with your home’s wiring, it’s best to call in a professional for electrical troubleshooting. They’ll determine whether there is indeed a problem and will fix it before it leads to more serious damage.
Other Common Home Electrical Issues with Wiring
Modern electricians follow strict guidelines to ensure that your home is safe. In older homes, your wiring might not be up to these standards. This can be a major fire hazard, so it’s important to get it updated as soon as possible.
Modern electrical wiring is very safe, but older types like knob and tube aren’t. So if your home was built before 1950, it’s a good idea to have an electrician come and take a look. Even relatively newer homes could have aluminum wiring. While this isn’t as big of a fire hazard, it can still cause problems and should be replaced.
Defective Outlets
Outlets can pose a serious electrical problem if they weren’t installed right or have otherwise been damaged. If you have an outlet that sparks, is discolored, feels hot to the touch, or otherwise seems defective, it needs to be fixed right away.
While there’s no way to prevent all electrical issues, there are some things you can do to minimize the risk. GFCI outlets are a great way to protect your home from electrical shocks and are required by code in bathrooms and kitchens.
Damaged Insulation
You might not realize it, but damaged insulation could harm your home’s electrical system. If your home’s insulation is damaged, it can allow moisture and pests into your wiring. This can cause shorts, electrical fires, and other serious problems.
Safely installed insulation is particularly important around recessed lighting. Common home electrical issues like faulty wiring could lead to significant heating in the presence of insulation, which could possibly lead to a fire.
Common Home Electrical Issues with Switches
Your home’s light switches can also become damaged due to poor installation or amateur repairs. In the most dangerous cases, poorly attached wiring will come loose and make contact with the metal box surrounding the switch. This can lead to ground faults and electrical shocks.
Dimmer switches are another source of common home electrical issues. In particular, they don’t always work well with LED lighting. If you don’t have the right fixtures and bulbs, the lights might flicker when you try to use the dimmer switch.
Exposed Wiring
Exposed wiring is a serious problem for homeowners. It is often caused by pest damage or poor installation and could lead to short circuits, electrical fires, power outages, and more. Most of your home’s wiring is hidden behind walls, but if you see any exposed or damaged wires, you should call in a professional electrician right away.
Any exposed wiring presents an immediate risk of electrical shock. There’s also a fire hazard if exposed wiring comes into contact with other sections of wire or other objects. Ideally, your circuit breakers will prevent this, but it’s best to avoid exposed wiring in the first place.
Overloaded Circuits
It’s easy to overload circuits if you don’t have an updated electrical panel. If you are using a lot of electricity or have appliances that use up more power than the others, you need to be aware that this can happen easily. You might not know it’s happening until your circuit breaker trips and shuts off all of your lights.
Overloaded circuits can lead to fires if they heat up too much. This is why it’s important to be aware of how much power you are using and to make sure that you aren’t regularly tripping breakers. If you are, then it could mean that you need an electrical panel upgrade or another electrical repair in Atlanta, Ga.
Grounding Problems
Every circuit in your home should be grounded to protect you from electrical shocks. Any problem with the grounding in your home can be very dangerous. If there are any outlets in your home that just have two prongs instead of three, then they aren’t grounded and are dangerously outdated.
You can upgrade your home’s circuits to provide better protection, including modern electrical safety features like GFCI outlets. If you’re not sure whether your home’s electrical system is up to code, the best thing to do is call in a professional electrician. They will carry out electrical troubleshooting and let you know if there are any problems.
Electrical Repair and Troubleshooting in Atlanta, GA
If you’re experiencing any of the electrical problems listed above, don’t hesitate to call Aardvark Electric. With more than ten years of experience in installations, repairs, and more, you can count on our electricians to get the job done right. We provide expert electrical services in Atlanta, GA, and will have your home’s electrical system up and running safely in no time.
For more information on our electrical services in Atlanta, GA, or to schedule an appointment with one of our professional electricians, contact us online or give us a call at (404) 806-6851.