How Electrical Safety Inspections Can Prevent House Fires
There’s no doubt about it: For people all over the world, electrical fires are a terrifying threat.
For one thing, these blazes often start inside walls. So, by the time people realize there’s a fire in their home, it might already be widespread.
Plus, throwing water on an electrical fire only makes it worse. And it increases the danger of an electric shock.
In the U.S., more than 46,000 electrical fires ignite in homes every single year. And they often cause massive property damage, serious injuries, and tragic loss of life.
Sadly, faulty home electrical systems are a leading cause of electrical fires. In fact, in many cases, homeowners never notice signs of an electrical problem until it’s too late.
For instance, maybe your home’s wiring is outdated, frayed, or corroded. But there might be no way for you to realize that. Similarly, it can be hard maybe even impossible to tell if your electrical panels are deteriorated or if your circuits are overloaded.
Of course, no one should live in fear. In fact, you can prevent house fires by keeping your electrical system in good shape. All you have to do is schedule regular electrical safety inspections.
What Happens During an Electrical Safety Inspection?
Home electrical inspections are very detailed and complex. During this appointment, an electrician will carefully look at every electrical component in your home.
To be a little more specific, this professional will:
- Examine all of the electrical outlets and fixtures to see how they were installed and how they’re working now
- Test all of your appliances and evaluate how they perform
- Check the condition of the wiring
- Make sure the sockets and panels can handle the electrical load they need to handle
- Verify that all circuits are properly protected and grounded
When Should You Schedule an Electrical Safety Inspection?
When it comes to scheduling a home electrical safety inspection, there’s no time like the present!
Having said that, there are times when these inspections are even more important than usual, such as:
- Before you put your house up for sale
- After you renovate your home
- After you build an addition to your house
- After you attempt any sort of DIY electrical project
- After you install new appliances particularly machines that use lots of energy, like air conditioners
- After a major storm or other natural disaster, especially if there’s flooding
Also be aware that, in some cases, homeowners are able to spot signs of electrical issues on their own. Here are some of those red flags:
- Crackling or buzzing sounds
- Burning smells
- Melted electrical plates
- Scorch marks on plates
- Vibrating outlets
- Mild shocks or tingling sensations when a person touches a light switch
- Lights that dim or flicker
- Switches or outlets that feel warm (maybe even hot)
- Circuit breakers that often trip for no apparent reason
If you notice any of these warning signs, call for an electrical inspection right away.
What Types of Electrical Dangers Can Professional Inspectors Find?
Rest assured: If your home has any electrical hazards at all, a licensed electrician will find them. Those problems might include:
- Overloaded panels and circuits
- Electrical components like outlets, switches, and breakers that were installed improperly
- Ungrounded outlets
- Exposed conductors
- Outdated or degraded wiring
- Loose or corroded connections
- Not enough ground fault circuit interruptors (GFCIs) for full protection or maybe no GFCIs at all!
What Other Advantages Do Electrical Inspections Offer?
A home electrical inspection doesn’t just give you extra safety. It’ll also give you cool benefits like these:
- Your home will comply with all relevant building codes.
- You’ll be following all of your home insurance policy’s electricity rules.
- Because you’d stop any electrical problems from getting worse, you could avoid costly repair bills later on.
- Your household will probably be more energy-efficient, which means your energy bills will go down.
- With electrical upgrades, your home’s market value will go up.
Orlando Mister Sparky: Electrical Inspections of the Highest Order
In the end, regular electrical inspections could be helpful to any homeowner anywhere.
If an inspector finds that your electrical system needs updates, you could get them right away. And then, once your system’s in top condition, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a safe and secure household.
Therefore, try scheduling an electrical safety inspection every three to five years or every one to two years if your home’s more than 25 years old.
Finally, do you live in the Orlando area? And did you know that Orlando Mister Sparky offers first-rate home electrical inspections to everyone in this region?
Yes, all of our electricians are highly trained and deeply skilled. And our work is always super efficient and reliable.
In short, when it comes to electrical issues, we’ve seen it all and done it all!
Are you ready to prevent house fires and protect your family? If so, don’t put up with any malarky; call Mister Sparky. You’ll rest easy knowing that your home’s electrical system is safe, dependable, and totally current (no pun intended).
