The electrical system in your Mentor, OH, home is important for several daily functions. Electricity is used to potentially heat your home, run your water heater, power your lights, operate appliances, and keep your electronics functioning. Many homeowners fail to realize the significance of their electrical system until the power goes out. Older homes, in particular, commonly experience electrical problems. These issues should be dealt with quickly to prevent a fire as well as reduce the risk of electrical shock. Let’s look at some warning signs you should watch out for that indicate electrical problems in your Mentor home.
Outlets That Are Hot To Touch
If you touch an outlet in your home and it feels warm or hot, unplug anything that you have in that outlet and don’t use it until our team can assess the situation. This can be caused by an overloaded circuit or damage to the wiring behind the cover plate. The only exception to this rule is a dimmer light switch. It can get slightly warm to the touch because of the excess electrical energy that is used to dim the lights. However, the cover plate on your dimmer switch should never be overwhelmingly hot.
Flickering or Dimming Lights
Do you notice that your lights dim or flicker randomly? Sometimes, this happens randomly, while other times, it occurs when something else in your home turns on. If the dimming or flickering occurs only with one fixture, you may have a loose electrical connection in that area of the home. If the problem occurs throughout your home, there may be a bigger problem with your breaker box or even at the main electrical hookup outside.
Outdated Wiring Issues
Homes in the 1960s and 1970s commonly had aluminum wire installed in them. This was generally the most affordable option at the time. However, the aluminum in this wiring has the potential to oxidize, causing damage to the wiring itself. This risk increases over time. If you know that you have aluminum wiring in your home, you should consider having our team replace your current wiring with new wiring that’s made of a modern material and is up-to-code. This will reduce safety risks.
It Smells Like Something Is Burning
Do you smell something burning near your outlets or switches? You may even see smoke coming from these locations. This is a dangerous situation. Immediately turn off the power to this circuit and call for professional assistance. You may have a broken wire, an overloaded circuit, or damage to your switch or outlet.
Experiencing Shocks From Outlets
If you feel a shock when you touch an outlet or switch, you may have grounding issues. This can also occur with lamps, ceiling fans, and small appliances. However, this isn’t the same as experiencing static electricity. If left unaddressed, these shocks can cause injury and a house fire.
Loose or Jiggling Outlets
If you plug something into an outlet and find that the entire mechanism jiggles or moves, something is loose and should be repaired. In most scenarios, we will need to tighten the hardware in the outlet so it no longer moves. However, if more extensive damage exists, we may need to replace the outlet.
Visible Signs of Damage
There may be areas of the home where wiring is visible or exposed. You can visually inspect these wires periodically to ensure they are free of damage. If you notice that any wires are frayed or damaged, contact our team right away. It’s common for pets or pests to chew through wires, potentially leading to a home disaster.
Appliance Malfunction
If your home appliances aren’t working properly, the problem may not be caused by the appliance itself. Instead, a wiring problem may prevent the appliance from functioning optimally. A main issue to look out for is an appliance that frequently trips the breaker when it is in use.
You should also be suspicious if your appliances tend to break down easily. If you frequently replace toasters, toaster ovens, coffee makers, or crock pots because they stop working, there may be an issue with your electrical system, causing a surge of electricity when you turn on these appliances. Even larger appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, or stoves can experience ongoing problems due to electrical issues. These repairs can get expensive, not to mention stressful.
Odd Sounds Coming From Outlets
The outlets in your home should always be completely silent. If you hear a buzzing or humming sound coming from an outlet, it’s a problem. Also, watch out for clicking sounds or the sound of a spark firing.
Sudden Spike in Energy Consumption
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your energy consumption as a homeowner. On your energy bill each month, you will see how much energy you have used, what it cost you, and how that compares to the amount of energy you used in previous months. If you notice that your home is experiencing a sudden increase in energy use and can’t figure out why, there may be a problem with your home’s electrical system. We can assess and inspect every aspect of your wiring to determine where the problem is occurring.
Uneven Lighting
In addition to lights that flicker or dim, you want to watch out for areas of the home that seem to have different levels of lighting than others. If you have lights that are very bright in one room and another room is very dim despite using the same bulbs and fixtures, this is a sign of a potential electrical problem. You may not have enough voltage coming through your wires, which causes dim lights. This could also cause too much electricity to flow through a fixture, resulting in very bright lights.
Scheduling Annual Electrical Inspections
We recommend scheduling an inspection of your electrical system once a year. This gives our team the opportunity to spot any problems that may be occurring and that you may not even notice. We can make repairs and minor changes during these appointments, potentially saving you money in the long run. Not to mention, regular inspections reduce your risk of safety issues caused by electrical problems.
During an electrical inspection, electricians examine wiring and connections, making sure nothing is frayed or coming apart. We’ll examine your electrical panel, examining its circuit breakers, fuses, and overall condition. Our electricians ensure everything is grounded and that outlets and switches are functioning properly, not overheating or showing burn marks. We will also inspect your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and lighting fixtures and make sure everything is in code compliance.
For professional electrical assistance in your Mentor home, contact Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric. We conduct routine inspections to identify potential issues early and provide emergency repair services. Our comprehensive electrical services include breaker panel expansion, new wiring installation, home EV charger setup, generator servicing, and lighting solutions. Additionally, we specialize in the repair and installation of a variety of heating and cooling equipment. Our plumbing services encompass drain cleaning, pipe repair, gas line work, piping and repiping, sump pump installation, and garbage disposal assistance.
For assistance with your home’s electrical system in Mentor, contact Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric today.
