Your lights turn on and off, and your electric appliances all work. So everything is just fine with your electrical system, right? That’s not necessarily true. The truth is, faulty wiring can continue to work just fine right up until something goes horribly wrong. This article will outline the early signs of electrical issues so that you can schedule a residential electrical inspection in Philadelphia, PA, before your home has a dangerous electrical failure.
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Flickering Lights
Odds are, your house isn’t actually haunted. Those flickering or dimming lights are probably an issue with your wiring. Pay attention to the times when your lights dim or begin flickering. If it’s happening when you’re turning on your washing machine or another large appliance, the issue is probably caused by insufficient power supply on that circuit. An electrical inspection can identify what circuits your lights and appliances are on. Then, you can either move the appliances to a different circuit, or otherwise adjust to ensure these heavy-duty appliances are getting the power they need without impacting your lighting.
Strange Smells
If you have a new appliances, you may notice the smell of oil burning off when you first use the appliance. However, if you’re noticing a burning smell that isn’t associated with a new appliance, you need to schedule an inspection right away. Something may be sparking within the wall, which could lead to a fire.
Hot Outlets And Switches
Your switches and outlets should never get hot, no matter what device you might have plugged into them. While a warm socket may occur when a device using a lot of power is plugged in, it should never get hot. Have that outlet looked at, as well as any consistently warm switches.
Buzzing Or Humming
Your electricity should never make a noise. If something is buzzing or humming when you turn it on, this is likely a sign of loose connections or faulty wiring (if the sound isn’t coming from the appliance or lightbulb itself). If you’re hearing buzzing coming from any switch, socket, or electric appliance, shut it off and schedule an inspection.
Outdated Sockets
If you have an older home, take a look at your outlets. Do they have a third grounding hole, or only spaces for 2 prongs? If it’s the latter, your outlets are outdated, and the rest of your wiring may be too. It could be worth scheduling an inspection to make sure everything is in good condition, and you may want to consider having those outlets replaced while you’re at it.
Quality residential inspections in Philadelphia, PA, aren’t just for home sales. If you notice any of the above issues, schedule a residential electrical inspection right away.
