Living in a newly renovated home is an absolute pleasure especially when its without common electrical hazards. However, there’s so much to plan for and get done during this process that it can become quite stressful. Some folks outsource project management to reduce their stress levels during a renovation. In contrast, others like to save money by organizing the trades themselves. Whatever your approach, one element of home renovation that you need to focus on is remedying any electrical hazards your home may have present.
You should be aware of common electrical hazards and take steps to avoid causing more; however, addressing these issues requires a professional like a qualified and licensed electrician with the proper tools like a digital multimeter to assess electrical hazards.
This is a test tool used to measure voltage, continuity, and resistance in electrical components and circuits. The electrician can then rectify the issues. Read on to discover the 7 most common electrical hazards in your home and how to avoid them.
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Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping
Your home circuit breaker will trip when there is an electrical hazard. This means it operates as intended by shutting off the power to your home circuit when the system is overloaded.
Most times, you can flick it back on and continue with your day, but if your circuit breaker trips often, this is a sign of a severe underlying issue that you need to address. Frequent trips mean a problem with your wiring needs to be fixed by an electrical professional.
Flickering, Dimming, or Glitchy Lighting
Another sign of electrical hazards in your home can be flickering, buzzing, dimming or glitching lights. This can point to an underlying issue with your circuitry that an electrician should inspect and rectify.
Chewed or Frayed Wiring
When preparing your home for renovation, look out for any chewed, frayed or exposed wiring. This is usually caused by vermin such as rodents or unqualified amateur handypersons.
This is a significant electrical hazard that can be potentially lethal. As part of your home remodel, ensure a professional electrician rectifies this hazard.
Discoloration, Scorching, or Smoke
Inspect your power points for any of these signs. Suppose you notice brown or black discoloration or scorch marks or see smoke coming from an electrical point. In that case, this is definitely an electrical hazard.
This means the wiring behind those points is damaged or faulty and releases electrical heat. Again, this is a severe hazard and can cause death or house fires, and you should have your wiring repaired by an electrical contractor.
Warm or Vibrating Power Points
Another common electrical hazard is if any power points are warm to the touch or are vibrating. This is a cause of either loose, damaged or chewed wires and can point to a more severe issue. As part of your new renovation, a professional should replace all your wiring.
Lights Not Turning On
If you have a light fitting that doesn’t power on, even after you’ve changed the bulb, this could mean there is an electrical hazard with the fitting connection or the wiring behind it. If this has happened, contact a qualified electrician who can diagnose and rectify the issue.
Old Appliances
As appliances age, their cables or wiring can degrade and pose a serious electrical hazard. For instance, an old kettle or toaster could be faulty and could potentially pose a risk of fire or electrocution.
One way to determine if an older appliance is faulty is if it causes the circuit breaker to switch off when used, as the fault overwhelms your circuitry. In this case, replace the faulty appliance with a brand-new one that doesn’t pose a hazard.
Water Near Electrical Points
Another common household electrical hazard is water near an electrical point or wiring. For instance, if you have an exposed wire in your bathroom or laundry near a tap, this is a significant hazard.
You should avoid the area until a licensed and qualified electrician can inspect the room and make it safe. If you’re renovating, you should have this issue rectified as well.
An Electrical Safety Summary
This helpful article has shared 8 common electrical hazards in your home and how to avoid or rectify them. If you’re due a renovation, you may need to consider extensive wiring replacement or repair by a professional electrical contractor.
Inspect your home for these hazards and make a list of issues you’ve noticed, which you can provide to the electrician who can fix the issues for you.
