Detecting problems with your home's electrical system is not always easy. After all, this system is purposely designed to remain out of sight. Consequently, you will not be able to rely on your ability to physically see damage to this system to indicate that something is wrong. However, this does not mean that you cannot detect the need for electrical repairs before a major problem occurs. If you spot any of the following three warning signs in your home, there is a good chance that you are in need of residential electrical repairs and should contact a licensed electrician as soon as possible.
Sign #1: Dimming Or Flickering Lights
Do your lights dim or flicker when you turn on appliances such as your microwave or air conditioner? If so, this can indicate a problem with the voltage being supplied by your electrical system. While dimmed lights may not seem like a big deal, the fact is that ignoring this problem can leave your home vulnerable to power surges and even increase your risk of an electrical fire. That is why it is so important not to ignore this common warning sign that your home requires electrical repairs.
Signs #2: Frequently Tripped Breakers
Resetting a circuit breaker that has tripped is a very easy process and will effectively restore power to your home. While completing this task on a rare occasion is no big deal, simply resetting a breaker will not correct the problem that caused the breaker to be tripped in the first place. When dealing with frequently tripped circuit breakers, it is important to remember that these breakers exist as a safety measure in your home and that they do not trip for no reason. If your breaker is frequently being tripped, do not continue to just reset the breaker. Instead, you will want to reach out to an electrician to determine what repairs need to be made to prevent the breaker from being tripped in the future.
Sign #3: Burnt Rubber Smell
A surge in electricity or damage to your electrical system can cause the protective coating on your electrical wires to melt or burn. This will leave these wires exposed inside your walls which will ultimately result in a much higher risk of an electrical fire. When this happens, there may not be any physical damage that you are able to see from the outside of the wall. However, you will often be able to detect a burnt smell that many people describe as a burnt rubber or burning plastic odor. If you detect this odor in your home, do not hesitate in calling an electrician to inspect your home to determine if repairs are necessary.
For more information on residential electrical repairs, contact a professional near you.
