Unless you’re an experienced electrician, you might not be sure when it’s time to upgrade wiring or call in a pro for needed repairs. Keeping wiring up-to-date can prevent potentially hazardous disasters such as a fire that can put people at risk, or even wipe out your entire structure. Here are five indications that your wiring needs immediate attention.
1. Age and Condition of Current Wiring
Wiring inspections are recommended for older homes, during restoration projects and when homes change ownership. The latter is important in case previous owners used the services of any unlicensed electrical contractors. However, warning signs of issues can arise at any time.
2. Where There’s Smoke, There’s a Potential for Fire
If you see smoke, sparks or signs of charring near wall switches or outlets, or smell something burning, immediately turn off electrical access. Often caused by old, frayed or improper installations, all of these signs indicate the need to upgrade electrical wiring and can present a serious danger.
3. Snaps, Crackles and Pops
While commonly associated with a beloved breakfast cereal, hearing any of these noises around outlets is not a good sign. When you activate switches or plug into outlets and sense a tingling sensation in your hands or hear sudden sounds or humming, your wiring is crying for help desperately before disaster results.
4. Dimming or Flickering Lights
These can be signs of faulty fixtures or faulty wiring. Discover which is the cause by testing fixtures on different outlets. If the outlet is the source, check to see if the circuit is overloaded before recruiting a professional.
5. Tripping Circuit Breakers
If breakers frequently trip with no apparent cause, it’s likely your circuits are overloaded, or there is a short in your wiring. Both are significant fire hazards and shouldn’t be ignored.
Need Macon Disaster Repair Services?
If you’ve suffered structural damage due to faulty wiring or connections, contact the pros at Parker Young Construction and Disaster Repair Services in Macon.
