Are The Electrical Problems In Your Home Hazardous?

If you’ve owned your Atlanta home for any length of time, you’ve probably fallen into the “only when necessary” maintenance trap. Owning a home takes a lot of work. And with so many projects on your list, why worry about any one project until it becomes a necessity?

Electrical problems tend to fall into that category, yet they are one of the most serious problems you can have. Some electrical problems can be harmless, while others can have deadly effects. What’s the difference? How do you know which are which?

Let’s start with a list of harmless electrical problems. 

A loose outlet plug. Sometimes the outlet plug wiggles just a bit every time you plug or unplug an appliance. This is a problem with the plug itself, not an electrical problem. It can be fixed easily by adding outlet shims between the plug and the cover plate until it’s flush with the wall. 

A broken light switch. Whether you have a flip switch or a slider to control your lights, occasionally the switch wears out. Replace the switch and you’re ready to go. 

A short circuit. Certain appliances can occasionally trip the circuit. The key is in how frequently it happens. If you operate more appliances than usual and a circuit trips, it might not be a reason for concern. But if you start to notice it happening more regularly, it’s time to call in a professional. 

These electrical problems should be considered hazardous. 

A flickering or dimming light. This can be a sign of a wire loose or a poor connection. If not fixed and it continues to have problems, it could eventually result in sparking or fire. 

A warm switch or outlet. If everything is working properly, you should never feel heat coming from an outlet or switch. Heat is an indicator that arcing or overheating is occurring with the wires. The problem should be addressed by a professional as soon as possible. 

A dead outlet. Is there one outlet in your home you avoid because it never works? Don’t overlook it; it could be a serious problem. Just because it doesn’t work doesn’t mean electrical current isn’t still flowing to the area. Excessive heat could result in melted wires and the possibility of fire. 

Your electrical system is one system you shouldn’t tackle yourself. Electrical problems can literally be life or death situations. Whether you have a question about an outlet or a concern about your electrical system, call in a pro.