Do You Know When It’s Time To Repair Or Redo The Wiring In Your Home?

It's not always easy to tell if the wiring in your home needs to be updated. To ensure your safety and keep your electrical systems running smoothly, being familiar with the signs of a wiring problem is important. Learn what to look out for and find out when it’s time to rewire your home.

Look Out For Damage to Your Wiring & Breaker Boxes 

The most obvious sign of a potentially hazardous wiring issue is physical damages. If your wires are frayed, cracked, or discolored, or if your breaker box appears to have been melted or burned, then it’s time to call an electrician. Additionally, you also should be aware of any unusual odours that could indicate smoke has been generated by overloaded circuits.

Check Your Home for Discolouration and Burning Smells 

When inspecting your home for a potential wiring problem, check the surfaces of your electrical boxes and other exposed wiring components. If you notice signs of discolouration or burns, then it’s an indication that something is wrong. Additionally, unusual smells can be an indicator that wires are overheating. Be vigilant to catch these issues as soon as they arise in order to avoid any dangerous situations in your home.

Make Sure Your Receptacles have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) help protect you and your family from electric shocks caused by faulty wiring. If your home doesn’t have GFCIs, then it may be time to repair or redo the wiring in your home. It’s important to make sure that your relatives and visitors are safe inside of your home; therefore, installing GFCIs is a necessary step for providing a safe environment.

Know What Homes Need an Electrical Upgrade 

Homes built before the mid-1970s are likely in need of an electrical upgrade, as outdated wiring methods and materials increase fire risk. If your home was built around this time period, it’s probably wise to have an electrician inspect and repair the wiring for your safety. Additionally, if you’ve recently remodeled any part of your home, or had a larger appliance installed, GFCIs may be necessary for the safety of everyone living in the house. Regularly inspecting outlets can help determine whether they’re outdated or malfunctioning; conditions like this can put people at risk of electrocution.

Inspect the Mechanical Elements Connected to Wiring

It's important to regularly inspect the mechanical elements connected to your wiring. Outlets, switches, and breakers wear out over time and can become a safety hazard. Signs that these elements need replacing include sparking, burning odours, crackling noises, frequent circuit breaker trips, or dimming lighting fixtures. These issues should be addressed as soon as possible; faulty connections can become a fire hazard when left unchecked.

With all these tips, many homeowners still are unsure of diagnosing their home's electrical wiring on their own.  That's where we at Electricians Peterborough come in.  With our thorough inspections, we'll be able to get to the bottom of the issues and provide a good solution for your home and prevent a fire hazard.*

*A recent example is an electrical fire in 2019 that caused $65,000 in damages in a north-end Peterborough home on Mason Street, an accident that could have been prevented if the home's electrical system was properly inspected.