When you flip the switch, the light comes on. When you plug your charger into the outlet, your phone receives a charge and you do not. You go to sleep at night with confidence that the wires inside your walls will not cause a fire. We all take it for granted sometimes that our electrical system at home or in our place of business is functional and safe.
This is a safe assumption most of the time. However, the consequences of a hidden home hazards are dire and there are a few hazards that should be on your radar.
- Loose electrical outlets. If a plug easily falls out of an outlet, it needs to be replaced. Over time, blades inside the outlet can loosen, and can generate intense heat. This is more than annoying; it can cause a fire.
- Flickering Lights. There are several reasons your lights may flicker. A loose bulb or a loose light switch (see below) can be easily remedied. However, fluctuating voltage may be the cause, and is a serious problem. If lights dim or flicker unexpectedly, or if this happens at the time other items are plugged in, call us. Loose wiring is serious, and is a major cause of home fires. Contact us if your fixture looks insecure or if flickering isn’t easily explained by another cause.
- Loose wiring. As mentioned above, loose wiring can be very dangerous. Unfortunately, it cannot always be seen and can be caused by something as simple as piercing a wire when hanging a picture. Arc-fault circuit interrupters detect dangerous sparks from bad wiring and stop them before they start a fire.
- Loose light switch. A loose light switch can lead to frayed, damaged wiring, which may cause a fire. It can also be a dangerous conductor of heat and electricity.
- Overloaded outlets. If your outlets are overloaded, you’re running a risk. Overuse of extension cords is also a bad idea. Likewise, if you have newer and more advanced electronics and appliances in an older home, you may not have enough power to safely run them. New outlets and/or a system upgrade may be needed.
These problems are visible, but even more may lurk inside the walls. The solution is simple and more affordable than you think: Schedule one of our electricians to come out and take a look at your house. If there is a problem, we can tell you what it will take to fix it right away, leaving you to say what many others have said: “I should have done this a long time ago!”