The chances are a significant percentage of your home's activities are powered by electricity. Therefore, a single problem can affect your operations. Most electrical problems are gradual, which means you might notice them late. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to spot them to prevent further damages. Here are five warning signs you need to call in an electrician.
Frayed Wires
Frayed wires are mostly caused by rodents when they chew the wires. They can also be caused by corrosion, bending, heat, or when pierced by screws or nails. Frayed wires can cause electrical fires if they are not solved earlier enough. Hence, always inspect your appliances and wiring, and call in an electrician if you spot a frayed wire to come and fix it.
Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping
Circuit breakers automatically control current flow in a house by switching off when there is a short circuit or excess current to interrupt the abnormal current flow. However, if your circuit breaker trips frequently, you should be worried because that could mean a greater problem than you think.
The problem could be due to an overloaded home's electrical system, or the breaker might be damaged. A good electrician will help you discover the problem and solve it to prevent future frequent trips.
Flickering Lights
If one light in your house flickers, it might be a problem with the bulb, which you can solve by replacing or tightening it. However, if most of your bulbs are flickering, there is a more severe problem. This might be due to an overload in the circuit, wiring problems, or voltage fluctuations. Hence, you need to call in an electrician to help curb the problem.
If your neighbors are also experiencing the issue, the problem could be stemming from the electrical company. Therefore, you should call the utility service for a way forward.
Hot Light Switches and Outlets
If your light switches and outlets are too hot to touch, outlets might be overloaded or have failed. It can also be caused by faulty wiring or plugs, and that can lead to major damages. For instance, damaged wiring can lead to burning around the switch or outlet. Thus, you should call in an electrician earlier to examine them and offer a solution.
Burning Smell
If you notice a burning smell from electronic devices, you should get professional electrical services before it leads to a fire. Exposed wires and overloaded circuits mostly cause the smell.
If you notice any of the discussed signs, you should get professional help. An electrician will help you solve these problems before they cause costly damages.