10 Signs Your Home Needs Electrical Repairs
It’s easy to take electricity for granted. Unfortunately, many of us forget just how powerful and dangerous it can be. For this reason, signs of electrical problems should never be ignored and must be treated seriously.
Even seemingly innocuous problems can become extremely dangerous. It can increase the risk of electrical shocks or an electrical fire. Electrical faults can start small but quickly snowball into something much more serious.
Why Electrical Issues Need Immediate Attention
Electrical issues are more than just flickering lights or a dead outlet. They can be far more serious, too. In fact, faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in the UK. This highlights just how dangerous electrical problems can be and why you need to take them so seriously.
There are legal considerations to take into account, too. Homeowners and landlords must ensure that wiring in their property meets current BS 7671 regulatory standards. This involves having electrical wiring tested by a professional electrician.
While safety and regulations are two of the most important reasons for giving electrical issues immediate attention, doing so can also save you money. By identifying and addressing small problems as and when they happen, you’ll be able to prevent them from getting worse. This means you’ll avoid having to fork out for an expensive repair or rewiring job.
10 Warning Signs Your Home Needs Electrical Repairs
How can you tell when you need to call an electrician? We’ve put together a list of 10 warning signs for home electrical issues. Check them out below.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
Our first warning sign is flickering or dimming lights. While this can be caused by a simple loose bulb, more common causes include loose wiring or overloaded circuits. If you have noticed multiple lights flickering, this could indicate that your electrical panel needs to be upgraded.
Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
Nothing is quite as annoying as a circuit breaker that keeps tripping. Whether it’s turning off your lights or your electrical appliances, having to constantly reset the switches can be tedious. Often, circuit breakers trip when they’re overloaded or short-circuited. Frequent tripping could also indicate that your wiring is old and needs to be replaced.
Burning Smell or Scorched Outlets
If you have noticed a burning smell from your electrical outlets or if they look scorched, this is a serious warning sign that demands immediate attention. Your wiring could be overheating, or your circuits could be dangerously faulty. This is a serious fire risk, so you need to immediately turn off the power and call out an experienced electrician.
Buzzing or Crackling Sounds from Outlets
Another sign that your electrical system could pose a fire risk is if you hear any crackling or buzzing sounds coming from your power outlets. Normally, outlets should be silent, so hearing strange sounds could mean there are loose connections or electrical arcing. Again, turn off the power and speak to an electrician.
Electric Shocks When Plugging in Appliances
You should never experience an electric shock, mild or otherwise, when plugging in or unplugging an appliance. This can indicate grounding issues or some kind of damage to your wiring system. Electric shocks can be extremely dangerous, so speak to a professional as soon as possible.
Old or Outdated Wiring
If your home is over 30 years old, the wiring systems may be outdated or even unsafe. Older wiring setups can struggle to keep up with our modern energy demands, and this can lead to faults. Speak to a professional electrician and get an expert opinion – you may require a full rewiring job.
Frequent Power Surges or Voltage Dips
Lights that suddenly dim or shine brightly can be caused by voltage dips and power surges. It’s not just your lights that can be affected; voltage dips and power surges can also cause serious damage to appliances and other electronics, many of which can be expensive to replace.
Overuse of Extension Leads & Adapters
If you find yourself overran with extension leads and adapters, your home may be short on power outlets. A tangled ball of extension cords and frayed wires isn’t just an aesthetics issue, it can also be dangerous and increase the risk of an electrical fire. Adding more outlets can reduce your reliance on extension leads.
Warm or Hot Light Switches & Outlets
If you notice that your switches and outlets feel hot to the touch, this could indicate overloaded wiring or an overloaded circuit. This is another potential fire risk and is something you cannot ignore. Book an inspection before the problem gets worse.
Dead Outlets or Constantly Burning Out Light Bulbs
Electrical outlets that have suddenly stopped working could signal that there are some hidden wiring issues going on. Similarly, if you’re burning through lightbulbs at an unusual pace, this could indicate voltage spikes and fluctuations.
What To Do If You Notice These Electrical Issues
The issues we’ve listed above can have a significant impact on electrical safety in homes. If you’ve noticed one or even several of the above problems, it’s absolutely critical that you don’t ignore them in the hope that they will go away. Electrical problems can get worse rapidly and you could soon be dealing with an incredibly dangerous situation.
Electrical work should only ever be carried out by trained professionals. Call in an expert if you’re experiencing any of the issues above and turn the power off immediately if you notice sparks, burning smells or scorch marks. ICS Ltd can inspect electrical systems and diagnose any faults, whether those are short circuits or faulty wiring, before carrying out repairs.
Why Choose ICS Ltd for Electrical Repairs?
Why choose ICS Ltd for your electrical work? With over 25 years of experience in electrical repairs for homes and commercial properties, our expert team of NICEIC-approved electricians carry out work to a high standard and always in line with UK regulations.
We understand that electrical issues can require immediate action, which is why we offer rapid response times and emergency callouts. Our service is affordably priced with no hidden costs.
Get in touch with ICS Ltd for all of your electrical needs and find out why we’ve been trusted by homeowners and landlords alike for decades.
