Home’s owners often ask: “how do you know if the home needs whole house rewiring?” There are a number of signs to look for to know if the home wiring is outdated, unsafe, or damaged. When the wiring in the home is compromised it is best to rewire the home to ensure safety and reliability of the home’s electrical system. Burley Electrical Services will share what signs to look for to know if you should have the home’s electrical wiring inspected and rewired.
Updated Outdated Electrical Systems in Old House
If the home is over 30 years old, chances are your wiring system is outdated. The FEMA reports claim about 10% of all residential fires are caused by electrical hazards and most of them are due to old wiring. Wiring breaks down and degrades over time. Additionally, older electrical systems are not compatible with modern electrical requirements and cause overheating or overloading the electrical system. For homes that are between 20 and 30 years old, it is recommended to have the electrical system inspected, and if needed, updated to meet modern needs and to ensure safety.
Electrical Outlets or Light Switches Not Working
Discolored outlets and light switches is often a sign that the wiring is degrading or there is a loose connection. When there is a loose connection or degraded wiring, it can cause the light switches or outlets to spark which leaves a burn mark. Even the smallest electrical spark can lead to a fire and as the connection or degrading wiring gets worse, the spark can also become bigger and more powerful. To eliminate a future disaster, if there are burn marks on the outlets and light switches, again have the electrical systems inspected.
Dangerous Electrical Burning Smell
When you can smell a burning odor but can’t locate the source, it can be the electrical wiring. The burning odor often comes from an outlet on or near light switches. At times a loose connection or faulty wiring occurs near the outlet or light switch. However, faulty wiring can occur anywhere in the wall especially those damaged by screws, nails or pests. If there is a burning smell in the home, contact an electrician to immediately do an electrical inspection and determine if the wiring is compromised.
Flickering Lights
Another sign that it’s time to have the home rewired is when the lights flicker. There can be other reasons why lights may flicker such as bad connections, faulty light bulbs, or a bad light fixture. In order to know what is causing the lights to flicker, a professional electrical inspection is needed. If the wiring is the problem or the electrical system is incompatible with modern electrical needs, the home may need rewiring and an electrical panel upgrade.
Breaker Keeps Tripping
Breakers trip when an anomaly is detected such as power surges, overloads or overheating. The breakers trip to protect the home and prevent a fire. If the breakers frequently trip this is often a sign of damaged wiring or the electrical system is simply outdated.
Electrical Wiring Work & More in Imperial Point, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Lighthouse Point, Parkland, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If your home’s electrical system has any of these rewiring signs of safety hazards, contact Burley Electrical Services and request electrical inspections.