Problems around the house usually manifest in increments. A hollow sound when you knock on your walls could mean termite infestation. The rust on your roof may signify roofing problems. Leaking faucets could signal plumbing issues. Perhaps one of the more troubling issues around your home is the possibility of a faulty electrical system. Problems that arise from electrical systems can lead to the inconvenience of a power outage at best, and a devastating fire, at worst.
In some cases, the problems can occur without warning, and suddenly you’re left with a costly bill for an electrical service. However, there are instances when you can immediately stop a catastrophe from happening by simply heeding the signs. Here are the top three signs that warn you of potential electrical wiring problems.
1. It Doesn’t Smell Like Teen Spirit
Your house smells more like something is burning — and no one is cooking or firing up the grill for an evening barbie. When your nose senses something shouldn’t smell the way it smells, you may have burnt wires. Do not play “hide and seek” with the source of the burnt wires. Instead, turn off everything. Unplug whatever is plugged. And call your electrician. It is better to be paranoid and safe, than to worry about a false alarm. So don’t take any chances. When you sense something isn’t right, act on it.
2. Circuit Breaker Takes a Trip
Your circuit breaker comes in a certain rating that determines the load of current that flows through the circuit. When you’ve got too many appliances plugged into one outlet (or you’ve got multiple outlets plugged into one circuit) and you go beyond the electrical load, the circuit breaker trips to stop the circuit from overheating. When you head to your electrical panel to turn it back on and it stubbornly “trips” again, you know you’ll lose this “reset the circuit breaker” game unless you solve the problem at its root. You could either turn off devices on the circuit to reduce the load or rewire the outlet so it handles the electrical load. Your safest and best option would be to get a licensed electrical service to take a look at your “trippy” circuit breaker and resolve the issue effectively.
3. Old Home, Old Wires
Electrical systems in certain homes may have been designed to take on certain electrical loads. Over time, naturally, changes in load occur. If the existing electrical system can’t handle your demand requirements, there is bound to be an overload. Additionally, it is safe to assume that most old homes may have used materials that are no longer up to current building code standards. This is why it is necessary to get an electrical inspection done when you’re buying a really old property.
Signs can be everywhere. When it comes to your electrical systems, pay attention. Avoid potentially huge problems that can cause your safety. Heed the signs. Resolve electrical problems.