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5 Common Home Electrical Problems

Jul 8, 2021 | Electrical Safety, Residential Electricity

Regardless of size, layout, and age, every home is susceptible to a variety of electrical issues. From flickering lights to hot outlets, a few small issues can quickly become a substantial hazard if left unchecked. As leading providers of residential electrical services for all types of homes, Expert Electric understands how difficult it can be to spot certain hazards. That is why our team has compiled a list of 5 common home electrical problems to help homeowners notice hazards before they become a serious safety risk. Please note that correcting most residential electrical hazards requires a licensed electrician to ensure that all repairs are completed to relevant codes and standards.

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5 Examples of Residential Electrical Problems

While it may be easy to disregard some of these problems or ignore them, we strongly recommend taking action to correct the following issues before they become a safety hazard:

1. Consistent Light Flickering

Flickering lights are often the easiest problem to overlook and ignore as the issue typically does not last for long. While occasional flickering or dimming is normal, daily occurrences are not. If your lights continue to flicker even after changing your light bulbs or installing new light fixtures, it may be time to consult a licensed electrician to determine the cause of the issue.

2. Breaker Tripping When Using Certain Devices

Older homes constructed in the 60s to 80s were not designed to handle the high wattage requirements of today’s devices. This outdated design often results in tripped breakers when using a microwave or plugging certain devices in. While homeowners can certainly live with limited power access in certain areas of their home, it is far safer and more efficient to replace your electrical panel or have an electrician install a subpanel.

3. Hot Outlets When Devices are Plugged In

If you notice that your outlets are becoming warm or hot after plugging a device in, this is a sign of faulty wiring or other damage. This heat can eventually lead to an electrical fire or other significant hazards, so they should be inspected and replaced right away.

4. Using too Many Power Bars and Extension Cords

Older homes often do not have enough outlets for the number of devices used by every member of a home. While using multiple power bars or extension cords is not unsafe, it is far more efficient to have additional outlets installed to minimize the risk of hazards.

5. Plugs Constantly Fall out of the Outlets

Outlets are supposed to contain contacts that grip cord prongs for a secure connection. Loose or worn contacts can cause an arc or electrocution. If you notice that plugs are loose or falling out of an outlet, it is time to replace it.

To learn more about common home electrical problems and how to solve them, get in touch with the Expert Electric team. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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