WHEN TO CALL AN ELECTRICIAN
When to call an electrician? That’s a question you will, at some point, ask yourself either at home or at your business or both. Some problems you may be able to safely solve without a professional, but many need an experienced electrician to handle the issue…after all, you are dealing with electricity. Electricians not only have the knowledge and experience to help you, they also have the right tools. Let’s look at some of the times when you need to call an electrician.
1. Breakers continue to trip
If your breakers are tripping often or fuses continue to blow, you need to call an electrician. The cause could be that your circuits are drawing more electrical current than they should. This could be an indication that their is something wrong with one of the circuits in your home.
2. Lights flicker or dim
If you turn a few lights on and your ceiling fan lights dim, you might have a problem. Some motor-driven appliances draw a large amount of current and should be wired on dedicated circuits. Other small appliances may cause a similar issue. You may need to add another line to help everything work properly.
3. Too many plugs, only one outlet
If you depend on your multi-receptacle plug strips and are still out of capacity, call an electrician. Your system is likely being overworked. You most likely need to add a circuit to maintain safety.
4. Bumpy rugs
If you have wires running across your living space, and have attempted to hide them with rugs or furniture, call an electrician. You need new outlets to handle your needs. You have tripping hazards and when these are electrical, they can also be fire hazards. This isn’t a time to wait.
5. Just plain old
If your home is beaming with “original features”, your electrical needs to be updated. If you have out-of-date wiring or plugs, these are unsafe and need to be brought up to code.
6. Your kitchen or bathroom is out-of-date
Kitchens and bathrooms are more cause for concern because you are mixing electrical and water. If these areas are out-of-date, you should call an electrician to have the rooms inspected for safety.
7. Things feel warm
If your light switches, outlets or other electrical surfaces feel warm when you touch them, you need to call an electrician. Other signs to watch for are blackening or discoloration on switch plates and wire ends. These types of problems could indicate a range of issues.
8. Rust by panel
If you see any rust or moisture beneath your home’s primary service panel, you need to call an electrician. Any rust-colored residue or rusty patches are cause for concern. Deterioration of this type could be a sign of further problems.