It’s important to recognize the silent yet serious signs of electrical problems at home.
Here are some quiet clues to look for, if found in your home there could be a problem:
Hot Outlets
The outlet itself should never get hot. So if you notice heat on an outlet immediately unplug cords. Troubleshoot the problem as soon as possible. Dimmer switches can sometimes get warm because they dissipate the excess electrical energy to create the dimming effect. However, even dimmer switch cover plates should never be uncomfortably hot to the touch.
Flickering Lights
If flickering lights are contained to a single light fixture it’s pretty straightforward how to fix it. But if it’s affecting multiple lights, there’s probably a problem with the circuit. And if the whole house is flickering the problem may lie in the breaker box.
Burning Smell
A burning smell should be an immediate warning sign. If an electrical system is heating up to melt the plastic sheathing there’s an immediate risk of a fire. Take immediate action and identify the source of the issue.
Loose Outlets
If you notice the insides of an outlet are moving around when you plug in a cord it’s time to pop it open and get it squared away. A loose outlet will eventually cause wires to shake free and lead to sparks, shorts, and many other potential fire hazards.
Tangled and Messy Wiring
Signs of extreme disorganization or slapdash work can be an indicator of poorly done or rushed electrical work.
Rodent Activity
If you see rodent droppings near your electrical wiring check for two marks on the wire. Rodents no wiring until it’s bare. The exposed wire can begin to spark and overheat.