5 Warning Signs that Your Home Has an Electric Problem

Probably one of the top misunderstood areas in our homes is the electrical system. And although electricity is essential to every household, some homeowners don’t think about checking their electric systems until a huge issue comes up.  

Case in point, the U.S. Fire Administration reported that home electrical problems accounted for almost 67,800 residential fires each year. In addition, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation, 50,000 of these incidents were mostly preventable.

It could be difficult for an untrained eye to spot electrical problems. However, knowing how to identify common issues and what you can do about them will help prevent a major problem from happening.

When it comes to recognizing electrical problems in your home, make sure to keep an eye of for these:

1. Smell of burning plastic - If you notice a funny odor, like burning plastic or any unfamiliar smells near your electrical outlet, you might have an issue with damaged wiring in the power outlet. 

The first thing to do when you notice this is to unplug anything that’s connected to the power source. Don’t use the outlet or the appliance plugged into it again until you call an electrician to check the problem.

2. Sparks from an outlet - No, it’s not normal to see sparks coming out from an electrical outlet when you plug something in it. You should call a certified electrician to determine the issue, especially if this happens regularly. Don’t wait until this turns into a bigger problem -- these sparks could cause electrocution or even worse, start a fire.

 

3. Flickering lights - This may seem like a nuisance, but you’ll be surprised that a lot of homeowners dismiss this thinking that it’s a symptom of a harmless issue. But the truth is, flickering or dimming lights might be indicators of a more serious electrical problem.  

The first thing you can do is to check if the affected bulb is loose, as this might only be caused by the bulb not making proper contact with the socket. If you made the necessary adjustment and the lights are still flickering, call a local electrician to check your wiring and the whole of your electrical system.

4. Hot outlet - It is never normal for outlets to become hot, even if the appliances plugged in it are those that produce heat (like a coffee maker or an oven toaster). If you did notice that your outlet is warm to touch, turn the appliance off and try it on another outlet. This is to check whether the problem is the appliance or the outlet. If the same outlet gives you the same issue, then the wiring within it might be done incorrectly. Have a qualified electrician check the issue so they can also inspect the breaker and fuse to troubleshoot the problem.

 

5. Buzzing sound - Electricity that is working well should have no sound and should quietly flow smoothly between connections. However, if you have frayed wires or loose outlets or prongs, the electric current will jump and create a buzzing sound. Call an electrician immediately if you hear buzzing originating from an outlet.

 

We hope this article will help you spot an electrical problem and make you more proactive to prevent any serious incidents. The most important thing to remember here is that if you spot a problem with your electric system, whether it’s a minor issue or not, the best thing to do is call an electrician near you. 

You might be asking, “Where can I can find electricians near me?” If you don’t know one yet and want to make sure that you find a reliable one, you can check this list of local electricians.