How do you know if your property needs re wiring…
Did you know?
39% of home fires are caused by old or faulty electrical wiring or outlets. That’s a problem. Potentially a very dangerous one. And one which doesn’t always become apparent until it’s too late.
But there are a few clear signs that you should consider getting your wiring checked. Perhaps even having your home rewired. So what are they?
Frequent Fuse Blowouts and Circuit Trips: Regular issues with fuses blowing and circuits tripping may not always mean your home needs rewiring. It could be an issue with specific appliances. However, consistent occurrences should be professionally inspected.
Discoloration of Sockets or Switches: Keep an eye out for any changes in color, particularly browning, on electrical outlets. This could be due to minor fires caused by loose connections, leading to small electrical arcs.
- Multiple Flickering Lights: While a single flickering light might be due to a bulb issue or its installation, persistent flickering across several rooms indicates possible electrical issues in your house.
Persistent Burning Smell or Buzzing Noise: A continuous burning smell, in the absence of cooking or obvious sources, might suggest a hidden electrical fault. Similarly, a constant buzzing, especially if you have dimmer switches, could be a sign of a more serious electrical issue.
Electric Shocks or Visible Sparks: Experiencing electric shocks or noticing sparks near outlets are clear signs of potential electrical problems that require immediate attention.
Other potential signs of electrical problems in home
Those are signs that you’re facing an emergency situation in the offing in the not too distant future. But there are certain circumstances where it’s generally worth getting your property’s wiring checked anyway. These include times when you have:
An old property on your hands: is your property more than 40 years old? Get it checked. If you’re thinking of buying a property more than 25 years old, do the same.
Aluminium wiring: instead of copper. The older pre-1970s aluminium wiring is prone to overheating.
Two-pronged outlets: these aren’t usually grounded, making them a safety risk.
Lots of extension cords in use: these can put additional strain on your wiring.
Added new appliances or renovated recently: these may also place a strain on your existing system.
If you spot any of these faults in your home, please don’t delay – give us at Current UK Electrical a call and we can arrange an engineer to come over for an inspection.
