Electricity is something that we all use but rarely understand. For most of us, we know that if we connect a plug to a socket, we get power. Power is good since it makes our electronics work, but it’s also dangerous and we should be careful with it. Most of us know the dangers of electricity. We definitely wouldn’t stick a fork into a socket and we’d be very careful to avoid mixing electricity and water. These are things that we learn in school or even in popular culture.
However, there are also some silent signs that show your house may have a major electrical problem. These warnings aren’t exactly obvious and unless you’re a trained electrician or have done the research, you’re probably going to miss them.
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Are your outlets hot?
Many appliances generate heat with electricity to function. For instance, an electric stove or kettle will convert the power into heat. However, the outlet itself shouldn’t be getting hot. If you notice that it’s hot when you unplug something, you should immediately unplug them and contact a local electrical services company to diagnose the problem. Similarly, light switches and dimmer switches should never feel hot as well. In addition, you should be wary of loose outlets. If you can pop an outlet from the wall, it’s generally not safe to continue using. If it gets hot as well, you’ve got a combo for disaster and need to immediately stop using the socket.
Are your lights flickering?
Flickering lights could just mean that your bulbs are about to blow, but if it happens on a regular basis then you may want to double-check that it’s not your electrical wiring at fault. In some cases, you may need to consider electrical panel service upgrades if your old electrical panel is faulty. You’ll typically get a diagnosis from a professional company who’ll tell you what the problem is, what’s causing the flickering and how to solve it. In many cases, an older home will have outdated wiring that needs to be replaced if you plan to live in the home for longer. This will help ensure your safety and also solve issues like flickering lights.
Are your wires tangled or a complete mess?
If you have exposed or tangled electrical wiring in your home then it can be a dangerous hazard for children. It can also be a problem for you and your pets to have exposed or tangled wiring around the home. For example, perhaps you have some kind of electrical box on the outside of your home that has a mess of wires and sketchy-looking cables. It’s dangerous to try and sort them out, so make sure you contact an electrical specialist to help you take a look at the wiring. This is more common with older homes that have gone through multiple renovations or electrical upgrades. Again, if you plan on staying in that home for a long time, you may want to consider a complete electrical overhaul for your safety and peace of mind.
Kori
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