5 Most Common Calls to an Electrician

Every year in the United States, over 50,000 house fires are caused by electrical malfunctions. These sudden blazes cause thousands of permanent injuries and hundreds of deaths, but most are preventable. Here, you’ll learn some of the most common reasons to call a residential electrician.

Electrical System Failure

Older homes aren’t designed to handle the power demands of today’s appliances, and their electrical systems may shut down when they’re overworked. This may happen in two different ways: blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers. Both issues indicate that the home’s electrical circuits are pulling more current than necessary. An electrician will upgrade the entire system so it can meet your family’s power needs safely.

Flickering Lights

Even if the home’s electrical system is in good shape, it may become overworked if multiple appliances are used at once. For instance, refrigerators and air conditioning systems require a substantial amount of power. When they’re on the same circuit, these appliances may interrupt the home’s lighting system. The easiest solution is to put larger appliances on dedicated circuits.

Excessive Extension Cords

According to the ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International), over 3000 yearly house fires are extension cord-related. These devices aren’t intrinsically dangerous; it’s all in how they’re used. Many homeowners believe they don’t have enough electrical outlets, so they use extension cords in the ones they do have. By hiring an electrician to add some outlets, you’ll keep the family safe while reducing the chances of a house fire.

Hot Components

Regardless of how much power you use, switches, outlets, and other parts shouldn’t get hot. If this happens, it likely means that the circuit is under an excessive load. There’s a high risk of electrical shock when touching a hot switch or outlet, which puts the entire family at risk. Although a complete overhaul may not be necessary, an electrician may need to do some rewiring.

Old Age

Unlike fine wines, electrical systems don’t improve with age. If the home is more than 25 years old and it’s never had any electrical work done, it may have serious problems. Bad wiring, rust, and old circuits are the most common reasons electricians visit older houses. Even if you’re not experiencing any of the issues on this list, if you live in an older home, you should get an electrical inspection.

Though many homeowners believe they can do their own electrical repairs, it’s too dangerous to do so. An electrician can resolve these and other problems, updating your home and keeping it safe.