Electrical wiring in homes can become compromised over time, putting both your property and family at risk. Despite wires themselves being hidden, there are some noticeable signs your home is in need of rewiring. Let’s go over those signs.
Your Home is Old
The very first sign to look out for to decide if you need a rewiring? Your home’s age. “Old” is a relative term, but it’s essential to consider when it comes to houses. According to the United States Census Bureau, half of all homes in the country were built before 1973. If your home falls into this category, it’s probably time to have it rewired.
Wiring in older homes can be worn out or outdated, creating the potential for hazards. Aluminum wiring was popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s but is an outdated wiring type that should no longer be used. If you have a home with aluminum wiring or just older wiring, you’ll need to replace it due to increased safety concerns.
Lights are Flickering
Flickering lights are annoying, but they can also be an indicator that something more serious is going on.
If you recently replaced a bulb and notice it flickering, check to see if it was loosely inserted. Just give it a twist; if that fixed the problem – great! No need to call for a visit from an electrician. However, if the flickering continues after you re-insert the bulb, it could be a sign that your wiring needs to be replaced.
Be careful, if you notice the flickering and ignore it, it has the potential to become a serious fire hazard. Make sure to have flickering lights (not caused by lightbulbs) checked out as soon as possible if it last more than a few days.
Frequent Breaker Trips
A circuit breaker exists to cut off electricity when a particular circuit in your home exceeds the number of amps allowed. When working right, your breaker prevents dangerous surges. But when it’s not working correctly, it doesn’t provide the same level of protection to your home. If you notice your breakers are tripping more, it’s time to call in professional help. Over time, wiring can break down, affecting your circuit breaker. An electrician can help determine what needs to be done to resolve the issue.
You’re Getting Electric Shocks
Electric shocks – even a little tingle – when plugging in an appliance are a big warning sign there’s a problem with your house’s wiring. Do not ignore this warning sign – there is no such thing as a “safe shock.” Electrical shocks can cause burns and long-term issues like numbness and memory loss. In the worst cases, electrical shocks can be deadly, resulting in extensive muscle contractions and respiratory and heart failure.
If you notice this sign, leave all outlets alone and immediately call an electrician for assistance.
You’re Having Outlet Problems
Discolored outlets and burning smells aren’t normal, and if you notice these signs, it’s likely you have a wiring issue on your hands and not just an outlet issue.
Discolored outlets typically happen because of loose connections or degraded wiring. Loose wiring can let electricity escape into the open form of sparks. These sparks can create small fires that can singe outlets as well as burn the outlet’s plastic.
Loose connections and degradation only grow worse over time. The worse the problem gets, the bigger the sparks grow. The bigger the sparks, the greater the fire and shock hazards. Sometimes these signs will show up together or separately. Even if you can’t see electrical burning, you’ll likely be able to smell it. If you persistently smell a faint, burnt plastic scent in your home, you probably have wiring issues. A sparking wire is probably burning away its plastic casing inside your wall.
So if you see a discolored outlet and/or smell burning plastic, time to bring in an electrician ASAP.
Keeping Your Family Out of Harm’s Way
Noticing these signs of faulty wiring helps you to take action to safeguard your family and home from the potential hazards of fire or electric shocks. If you spot any of these signs, our experienced electricians are here to help. We’ll inspect your wiring and determine what is needed to keep you and your family safe. If your home needs rewiring, you can count on us to meet the highest safety standards when rewiring your home and give you peace of mind that you, your family, and your home are well protected against electrical dangers.
Our experienced team takes pride in performing reliable services and getting each job done safely and efficiently. We service those in Sparta, Chattanooga, Cookeville, Crossville, Gallatin, Lebanon, McMinnville, Mount Juliet, Murfreesboro, and Smithville.
