As a homeowner, it’s vitally important to understand when your home has a problem that requires professional attention. Home electrical issues are no joke and can result in serious damage to your home and dangerous situations for your family. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 signs that your home has electrical issues so you know when it’s time to call an electrician.
- Hot Outlets
Heat is not a good sign when it comes to electricity in your home, as it’s a sign of a faulty connection or a wiring issue. If you are using an outlet and notice that it is hot, you should call an electrician immediately. The same goes for light switch cover plates as they have the same connections. Occasionally dimmer switches can get slightly warm which is not unusual, but if you ever notice more heat than normal, get in touch with a local electrician.
- Aluminum Wiring
If you’ve bought an older house and have been informed you have aluminum wiring, you should call an electrician to check the wiring and connections. Exposed aluminum breaks down and over time becomes a fire hazard in your home. If you have aluminum wiring you will have to replace it eventually, so it’s important to connect with an electrician quickly to determine how safe the home is to live in, and to see when it may be time to rewire your home.
- Bad Smells
If you ever smell something burning in your home and you’re not sure where it’s coming from, call an electrician and take immediate action. The smell of plastic burning could be the sheathing melting off your wiring. Try to identify the source of the issue, be it at one of the fixtures or the breaker box, and shut off power to that faulty connection until help can arrive.
- Electric Shocks
If you ever touch a metal object that’s connected to your electrical system and receive a shock, it means that your home isn’t grounded properly. These shocks aren’t particularly dangerous but are indicative of a much larger problem, and they certainly feel like more than a static electricity shock. Call an electrician and get your home grounded properly so you never have to worry about nasty shocks again.
- Buzzing Sounds
Electricity in your home should operate silently and any strange noises are a very strong indicator that something is not right with your electrical systems. One common noise indicator is buzzing when you use an outlet or flick a switch. If you hear this make sure you unplug your device or turn off the switch and call an electrician. Buzzing is an indicator of a faulty electrical connection which could cause a fire.
If you notice any of these 5 warning signs for home electrical issues, contact the experts at AJ’s electrical. Our team of professional electricians will be able to help you with your problem quickly and efficiently so you can feel safe in your home. You can also visit AJ’s Electrical Facebook page for all the latest updates.