13 Common Electrical Problems That Every Homeowner Should Know About

Did you know that electrical faults account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year in the US? The fires, in turn, cause about 500 deaths and $1.3 billion in property damage. As a homeowner, you’d want to avoid any safety hazards, so beware of electrical problems in your home.

Most new homeowners argue that everything is fine with their electrical system if the bulbs work. The truth is, inconsistent electrical performances in your home are an early warning sign. You need to take note of any problems early and fix them to prevent accidents.

Any electrical issues you experience aren’t normal as you’d think. Check out the issue as soon as possible to uncover any underlying issues. Hiring a professional electrician is your best bet to ensure all problems are solved permanently.

You should be able to spot any electrical issues in your home early enough. If you’re unsure what to look for, here are 13 common home electrical problems you should know about.

1. Power Surges

Electrical surges are a common home electrical problem resulting from grid interruptions. However, you may experience high voltage disruptions due to some cheap wiring at your home. Be careful with electric surges since they can quickly cause property damage.

The surges last for a split second — but that’s enough to cause extensive damage. Frequent surges should be a cause of concern, and you need to get them addressed quickly.

The surges affect any electrical device connected to your home. As a result, they may blow out or have a reduced life span. Such damages can be costly, but an electric service can help prevent electric surges.

The common issue causing power surges if not related to the grid can be a faulty connection. The electrician will inspect to find the problem in your home and fix it. They should also install overcurrent protection to keep your equipment safe.

2. Overloaded Electrical Circuits

Your electric connection runs from the grid through the breaker panel before entering your house. Each breaker handles a specific amount of electric load, so an output needing more causes an overload. Overloaded circuits increase the chance of major electrical damages.

An overloaded circuit will mostly blow, and you’ll tell through the smell of burning wire. Such a scenario can be dangerous since the cables are exposed. Switch off the power supply and call in an electrician.

The electrician will check if you have enough outlets for your needs. They’ll also advise if there’s a need to upgrade into the 200-amp service due to huge appliances.

3. Issues to Do With Wiring

A lot of the electrical issues in your home will result from the wiring. Therefore, the wiring gets checked first immediately after an electrical issue happens. Any wiring issues are a huge electrical problem that you must sort out quickly.

Some of the issues relating to your home’s wiring include;

Old Wiring

Most homeowners assume that wiring can serve them eternally, which is wrong. If your wiring has outlived its useful life, it might cause a huge problem in your home.

Confirm when the electrician did the wiring on your home to evaluate how old the fixtures are. Overly old wiring won’t be as efficient as it should be, so you should replace them. Call in an expert to have your house rewired to eradicate the possible threat.

Tangled Wiring

Sometimes, wires are messy because of their placement. Tangled wiring can be hazardous since if the wrong wires touch, you could be electrocuted. The danger of fire is also always looming, so it’s imperative to have them fixed as soon as possible.

Any wiring issues warrant the attention of a residential electrician. These experts inspect the wiring in your home and ensure everything is in place to guarantee safety.

4. Problems With Outlets

Do you sense there’s a problem with your outlets? If you’ve noticed that your outlets don’t work properly, chances are, there’s a serious electrical problem.

Some of the problems with your outlets include;

Hot Outlets

Heat in your outlet isn’t a normal sign of usage; it could imply some serious electrical issues. A hot outlet can cause your plugs and cords to get hot, which affects their functionality.

Disconnect any plugs from the outlet to prevent the cords from getting hot. Call an expert to inspect and fix the problem to prevent further issues immediately. Don’t use the outlet until it’s fixed to avoid the chances of serious damage.

Loose Outlets

If your outlet isn’t firmly fixed on the wall, it can be a sign of trouble. A loose outlet is a sign that the fittings and fixtures are worn out and need replacement.

There’s immense danger from a loose terminal since the wires are exposed. The loose outlet might have also shaken the wires, posing potential fire hazards. Call a pro to inspect the problem and fix everything firmly back in its place.

Dead Outlets

After a while of use, an outlet will stop working, so we term it as dead. Dead outlets often result from faulty wiring or burning out. Dead outlets in your home pose some safety threat so, you should have them fixed immediately.

5. Flickering Lights

For most people, a flickering light results from a faulty bulb. Did you know a poor electric connection in your home can cause the bulb to flicker? Flickering lights are a huge warning sign you should take seriously.

Flickering lights can cause your bulbs to burn out too often. You’ll thus incur huge costs when replacing the bulbs often, and fixing the problem saves you money. Reach out to a residential electrician near me to help you fix the problem.

6. Overly Bright or Dim Lights

If your lights are overly bright or dim, you might have an underlying electrical issue. The over or under lighting causes discomfort in your home and should be attended to quickly.

The overly bright lights happen when there’s a high voltage in the system. Poor wiring can also be a huge cause since the connection offers high or low voltage. It’s necessary to have the issue looked at and fixed immediately.

7. Ungrounded Electrical Systems

If you touch a metal object in your home and feel some tinge, it’s a sign your electricity isn’t grounded. Ungrounded electrical systems pose huge electrical problems in your home. It’s worth noting that these shocks can be confused with static pulses, so you should be vigilant.

If you experience a pop — however mild — you should have an electrician check it out. The ungrounded systems will cause this problem and need fixing as soon as possible.

Problems with ungrounded electrical systems include;

• They’re prone to voltage surges
• You’ll experience electric shocks now and then
• Your electric consumption skyrockets overtime
• Fixtures such as lamps and ceiling fans don’t last
• Increased exposure of appliance damage when connected to the grid

To avoid all these problems, it’s ideal that the electrical systems are well sorted. Call in a professional to handle the job for you to enjoy impressive results.

8. Lacking a Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker is essential to prevent electronic damage if there’s a leak. Sometimes, botched wiring by unscrupulous electricians might leave you without a circuit breaker. Lacking a circuit breaker is a huge electrical problem citing the danger it poses.

Since the circuit breaker is meant to disconnect when there’s low voltage, you should install it. Let a professional electrician handle the installation to ensure there’s no leakage. As a result, you enjoy protection against electrocution, which is essential.

9. Malfunctioning Circuit Breaker

Although the circuit breaker is meant to help you, a malfunctioning one can be a huge nuisance. You’ll notice you sporadically lose power to an area in your home from time to time. A malfunctioning circuit breaker is a huge warning sign you shouldn’t ignore.

You should enjoy uninterrupted electricity in your home; a faulty circuit breaker won’t let that happen. A malfunctioning circuit breaker often trips after starting a device or connecting a system. In most cases, it indicates a circuit overload which you should have fixed.

A quick fix is to try unplugging some devices or appliances to see if it works. Regardless of the outcome, you need an electrical system upgrade to support your home’s consumption. Call in a professional electrician to identify the correct solution for your home.

10. Faulty Switches

Do you have an unreliable switch in your home? Faulty switches can be a total bummer since the light won’t turn on or off when you need it. You should have the problem addressed soon enough since faulty switches can be risky.

For most homeowners, convenience is key, so dealing with a faulty switch can be challenging. The good news is, these switches have a low danger level since they could be due to defective parts. However, it would be best if you didn’t slack off on its repair since there’s a need to restore functionality.

A professional electrician will come in and establish the root cause of your faulty switch. If it’s an aged switch or an installation mistake, they’re best equipped to handle the problem. You’ll enjoy a reliable switch once again in no time.

11. High Electricity Bills

Have you realized that the energy bill total is higher than your home’s average? An abnormally high electricity bill is a warning sign that you should take seriously.

Of course, you have a budget to plan your energy expenditure, among other utilities. A higher energy cost than normal will force extra spending, causing a dent in your finances.

High energy bills, especially if they never existed before, can be a sign of electrical issues in your home. Some of the most likely causes for the high energy bills include;

• An electrical systems leakage
• Outdated devices that consume more power
• Wiring and circuit damage

Contracting an electrical technician will be the right move to get to the root of the problem and fix it. To offer a long-lasting solution, electricians install GFCI outlets to save electricity. You might never have to worry about the high energy expense ever again.

12. Electrical Shocks

Most homeowners that experience electrical shocks can attest to how unpleasant the experience is. Consider addressing the issue if you feel an electrical shock when you plug in or turn on a device.

Electric shocks in your home happen due to several issues, including;

• Ungrounded wiring
• Poor insulation
• Faulty wiring

Each of the issues is serious and need immediate attention. Delaying on having the electrical shock checked exposes you to serious harm. Therefore, you need to call in an experienced electric company to fix the issue.

In addition to determining the root cause of the problem, the experts fix the issue permanently. You’re thus assured of your household’s safety every time anyone plugs in a device.

13. Plug Won’t Stay on Wall Outlet

Have you noticed your plug keeps falling from the wall outlet? The problem includes plugs that keep detaching from the outlet to interrupt the power supply. If the plug won’t stay on a wall outlet, it’s an indication of an electrical issue you should beware of.

The plug should fit snugly in the outlet since contacts for that role have come. When the plugs fall out, it means that the contacts aren’t good and you should replace them. An arching outlet might fall out and cause a fire in your home, which is catastrophic.

If left unresolved, the loose-fitting on a wall outlet can cause huge problems. You should thus call a professional to find a quick-fix solution to the problem. You might end up replacing the outlet; the charge is minimal, but it can turn out to be a huge investment.

Avoid the Above Common Electrical Problems

Noticing electrical issues in your home doesn’t always have to be challenging. Keep an eye out for the above common electrical problems and ensure they’re solved fast. Fixing the issues helps ensure safety for your household and prevents property damage.

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