Did you know that according to Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), the United States gets about 51,000 fires caused by electrical faults each year? This causes about five hundred deaths and more than 1,400 injuries. Damage is estimated at about $1.3 billion!
No one would want to be listed in these statistics, or would you? Imagine the home you have spent a lot of resources and time building going down in flames within a matter of just a few seconds!
Even though insurance might help you recover, getting back to where you were might not be easy. What if you are injured or even lose a loved one in the fire? So, instead of waiting until you are a victim, do not overlook these signs of faulty electrical wiring.
Table of Contents
Flickering or Dimming Light
Your lights do not need a lot of power to work. If you realize that you have flickering or dimming lights, chances are that you have faulty electrical wiring. You might have other appliances on the same circuit using a lot of power.
You might also have damaged some components in the circuit or just the panel. Appliances like washing machines use too much power compared to your lights. In such a case, your circuit might be dealing with more power than it can handle.
Do not overlook this sign. In addition, do not set out to repair the issue if you are not an expert. Depending on where you live, get someone to help you. For instance, if you are in Pearland, you can get a qualified electrical service contractor in Pearland to sort out the issue.
Using Many Extension Cords
Do you think that the electrical wiring in your house is hidden on your walls because it is ugly? No, that is not the reason. The truth is that good wiring in your home can last for a very long time. However, you will definitely have problems if you mess it up.
If you use many extension cords, you create more points where you can have the cords shorting out, getting pinched, and kinking. In such a case, you will damage your outlets, have your circuit breaker tripping, or burn down your home.
However, we are not saying that you should not use extension cords in your home. Instead, we are saying that you should not use many of them – if you have to use them. In addition, make sure that you are using them only when the need arises – not every time. The best option for you is to install more outlets.
Sign of Sparks
What good can you associate with sparks especially when they are caused by faulty electrical wiring? Well, if you notice any sparks in your home, no matter where they are coming from, you should be worried and call for help before it is too late.
If, for instance, you have sparks coming from an outlet, breaker panels, or even a fuse box, you should have the issue addressed immediately before causing a fire. You might even find yourself dealing with an electric shock if you are not quick enough.
However, if you notice sparks coming from any of your appliances, you might not be dealing with issues with electrical wiring. Before calling the appropriate professionals to fix it for you, make sure that you have disconnected the appliance from the power supply.
Weird Smell
When you buy and start using an appliance, chances are that you will get some strange smell coming from it. Do not run away thinking that you have an electrical fault. This is normal with new appliances.
However, if you realize that the weird smell comes from your outlets, then you should get worried. Do not run away though! Instead, ensure that you have turned the outlet off. In addition, do not leave any plugs connected to those outlets.
Again, this is not an issue you can solve on your own if you are not an electrician or do not have an electrician’s essential tools to solve it. Instead of risking your life and home, call a professional to check your electrical wiring and fix the problem for you.
Buzzing Sound
Have you ever heard electricity producing any sound? If not, why would you be okay with yours producing a buzzing sound? Your electrical connections are supposed to be smooth and should not produce any sound.
However, if you have loose outlets and frayed wires, you will most definitely hear a buzzing sound. This is a clear indication that you have faulty electrical wiring. In such a situation, make sure that you have called an electrician to help you.
We all love our families, homes, and belongings. We have spent money, time, and resources getting to where we are today. So, if you want to keep taking care of these things, do not overlook the signs of faulty electrical wiring discussed above.
