New Years Safety Tips
New Years Safety Tips Most people are more than ready to wave goodbye to 2020 and welcome the new year. Just like the past year, this celebration will be one for the books. However,...
Did you know that every year, faulty electricals contribute to about 51,000 property damage reports? As a homeowner, one of your primary responsibilities is to maintain your home. One of the jobs that homeowners often put off is checking the wiring in their homes. The last thing you want is a fire in your home or a full electrical shutdown. If you are wondering why you should be worried about old house wiring, read on. We are going to address some scenarios that will highlight the importance of keeping your home wiring in working order. We hope that this Do I Need a Whole House Electrical Rewire post inspires you. Whole House Electrical Rewire is really Need?
Safety Meets Technology with the First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound
Aging house electrical wiring in your home can be a serious safety hazard and a source of home fires. Electrical wiring in a home typically has a lifespan of 15-20 years before it needs to be replaced. As wires age, their capacity for safely delivering electricity decreases. This can cause wires to become overloaded when appliances use more electricity than the wires can handle. This not only wears down the wiring but can lead to sparks and arcing, which can easily start a fire. Make certain that you take proper precautions to prevent fires in your home. Other potential hazards of aging wiring include insulation deterioration, corrosion, and loose connections due to excessive movement or vibration.
Common warning signs of faulty old electrical wiring can be identified if you know what to look out for. Loose outlets or switches with dielectric putty or tape are potential indicators of faulty wiring due to bad connections. Lights can flicker even when the light switch is off, or a droning noise can be heard. Unusual odors near an outlet or switch are an indication that there is something wrong, either overheated wires or defective switches.
Burning electrical components such as outlets and wiring can also be signs of problems. Breakers and fuses that trip is often another red flag that could signify instability or excessive loads on the circuit. Lastly, discolored or charred outlets or boxes could be an indication of a faulty wiring system.
The safety of your family should always be the top priority. This is why most homeowners choose to sell their homes in all shapes and situations. One of the best solutions for enhancing the safety of your old house wiring is to hire a professional electrician to have the wiring inspected, tested, and updated if needed. It is important to ensure proper insulation is in place and that the wires have not become frayed or short-circuited.
Electrical safety devices like circuit breakers, GFCI outlets, and AFCI breakers can help protect against electrical fires. Moreover, upgrade old fuse panels and aluminum wiring in the home, if possible. Finally, check for faulty wiring and damaged cords, and replace them when needed.
In the end, it's important to understand the risks of aging infrastructure and take steps to inspect and maintain your old house wiring. By doing so, this will help keep you and your family safe. Continuing to assess your wiring can help identify and fix any deficiencies before they become bigger, more costly problems. Contact your local electrician for an assessment today to protect both your home and your wallet!
Fire Safety Checklist from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation