Dealing with electrical problems at home can be incredibly aggravating and inconvenient. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you risk injuring yourself and causing major property damage. The best way to deal with these issues is to hire an electrician to do some troubleshooting. They’ll know exactly what to check and how to fix it safely.
Flickering Lights
Any time the lights flicker, this indicates an electrical problem. It could be something as simple as a loose bulb or a bigger issue, like loose wiring, a faulty switch or an overloaded circuit. An electrician will have to look at the connections, panel and affected fixtures to determine the culprit. You don’t ever want to ignore this issue since it increases the risk of an electrical fire. Plus, lights that flicker will make it difficult to concentrate or relax.
Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
Circuit breakers shut off power when there’s too much electricity flowing through a circuit. They are essential to keeping wires from overheating when overloads or short circuits occur. To fix a tripped breaker, you’ll have to reset it to restore power to the affected circuit. If a certain breaker keeps tripping, you don’t need to keep resetting it. There’s something wrong with the circuit or the connected appliance.
It could also be the result of outdated wiring or a malfunctioning breaker. An electrician will carefully check the panel and wiring to tell whether to repair or replace components. In a lot of scenarios like this, a full panel replacement is necessary.
Burning Smell From Outlets or Panel
You should never notice any kind of weird smell coming from outlets, switches or electrical panels. If you smell a burning odor, you need to switch off the main breaker immediately. The burning smell indicates overheating, melting wires or a short circuit. If you keep using the circuit, it could catch fire. An electrician will look at the wiring and connections to see where the smell is coming from. They may need to replace damaged wires or components to prevent future electrical hazards.
Hot or Discolored Switch Plates
A switch plate shouldn’t feel warm to the touch. But heat buildup from damaged wiring or overloaded circuits can lead to this problem. Any time this happens, you should stop using the outlet or switch and make sure everyone in the home knows not to use it. An electrician will have to remove the cover and check the wiring and connected circuit to decide how to address the issue and correct the problem.
Outlets That Don’t Work
If an outlet stops working, the first thing you need to check is the breaker box. There’s a chance a power surge or overloaded device caused the connected breaker to trip. But there could also be a bigger issue at play, like loose wiring. If several outlets near one another don’t work, this points to a problem with the circuit. A trained electrician can use tools like a multimeter to test voltage and trace the issue.
Buzzing Sounds From Walls or Fixtures
A buzzing noise coming from an outlet, switch or fixture usually means there’s a loose wire or bad breaker. It could also be the result of electrical arcing, which occurs when power jumps across gaps in the wiring. This is a serious hazard that requires immediate, expert attention. It’s not something you want to wait on because it can cause fires or severe damage to the electrical system.
Light Bulbs Burning Out Too Quickly
Regular light bulbs usually last anywhere from 750 to 2,000 hours. LED lights have a longer lifespan, with most lasting 15,000 to 50,000 hours. High-end, energy-efficient lights can even last up to 100,000 hours before they burn out. If you find yourself constantly changing bulbs, the socket or fixture may have a loose connection or internal damage.
Your electrical system might have voltage problems too. You never want to use bulbs that are too high in wattage for a fixture. This causes issues with overheating and early burnout. An electrician can check all the wiring and fixtures in your home to tell you which bulbs will work best.
Shock or Tingle When Touching Appliances
Your home has a major safety hazard if you feel a shock or tingle when you touch a certain switch, appliance or outlet. This type of electrical problem occurs when there’s poor grounding or damaged wiring. A broken circuit can sometimes cause shocks too. Even a short, mild tingle means you need to call an electrician. If you don’t get the issue fixed right away, someone may suffer burns or another injury. The electrician will troubleshoot and correct any grounding faults so that your whole electrical system works safely.
Loose or Wobbly Outlets
Outlets can become loose over time, especially the ones you use a lot. When this happens, you might have to wiggle the plug to get power or the plugs themselves may fall out of the wall. This electrical issue isn’t just annoying; it’s dangerous because it can create sparks inside the wall. It also increases the risk of electrical shock when the wires dangle around. An electrician can check all outlets and upgrade outlets that are loose with secure fittings and tamper-resistant receptacles.
Sparking When Plugging Something In
If you plug something into an outlet and notice a spark, quit using the outlet and call an electrician. You don’t want the spark to cause a fire or damage nearby electronics. Sparking outlets are a frequent result of loose wiring, worn-out receptacles and overloaded circuits. An electrician will have to inspect the outlet and the connected wiring to figure out what’s causing the spark and choose a solution.
Old or Outdated Wiring in the Home
A lot of homes in Beckley, WV have outdated wiring that no longer meets today’s safety codes. This is particularly true for older homes in the Oakridge and Maxwell Hill neighborhoods. Many of these houses have aluminum wiring, knob-and-tube systems or ungrounded outlets. All of these setups are risky because they don’t perform well with today’s modern electronics and appliances.
If you haven’t had an electrical upgrade in the past 30 years, you should at least book an inspection. An electrician can tell you whether you need any rewiring or circuit upgrades. Updating the home with a new electrical panel is a great way to increase its value while making it safer.
Lights That Dim When Appliances Turn On
You should be able to use all appliances without the lights dimming. If you start up the vacuum and the lights dim, this means there’s some type of electrical overload. There’s a good chance you have too many things connected to the same circuit. It could also mean the panel isn’t the right size for your home. Dimming lights are a clear warning sign that your home’s electrical system isn’t meeting your needs.
You likely need several updates, like new circuits and a new panel. An electrician may also want to split high-demand appliances onto their own lines. This will keep them from having to compete for power, which is what causes overloaded circuits.
Childers Air Plumbing & Electric is here to help with any electrical service you may need. We offer repairs, installation support, tune-ups, maintenance plans and more. Call Childers Air Plumbing & Electric now to book electrical service in Beckley.
