These warning signs may not be loud but are very serious. These are subtle signs that your home might have an electrical problem.
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Hot Outlets
Many appliances that use electricity generate heat. The outlet should not get too hot. If there is heat in an outlet, unplug all cords immediately and don’t use them until you have a solution.
Cover plates for switch covers should be treated the same as the switches themselves, except that dimmer switches can get hot to the touch because they use excess electricity to create the dimming effect. Even dimmer switch covers plates shouldn’t be too hot to touch. You should never install a dimming switch if it is producing excessive heat.
Flickering lights
Hollywood movies might have us believe that flickering lights in the house are signs of ghostly visitors. It’s more likely that there is an electrical disconnect. The fix is usually simple if the flickering is limited to one light fixture. It’s possible that the problem lies further back in the circuit if the flickering is affecting more than one light fixture. The problem could be in your breaker box, or at the utility drop. If that happens, you should contact an electrician licensed to troubleshoot the problem for you.
Aluminum Wiring
Due to high copper prices in the late ’60s/early ’70s, home builders started using single-strand aluminum wiring for their electrical service. Aluminum wire is a cost-effective way to reduce costs. Laboratory tests have shown that it can be used as a replacement for copper. The problem was that aluminum can oxidize much faster than copper. This leads to heat buildup and fire dangers. This wasn’t an issue in controlled laboratory conditions. Aluminum wiring, especially in branch circuits, was a fire hazard in the real-world, imperfect environment of your home.
This is why aluminum is not used in residential branch-circuit wiring. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, homes with aluminum wiring are up to 55 times more susceptible to fire damage. There are several ways to fix existing aluminum wiring. These include using special connectors or a complete home rewire. It’s worth calling a licensed electrician if you suspect that your home may have aluminum wiring.
Burning Smell
The smell of burning materials is a warning sign. You need to act immediately if your wiring is heating up enough that it melts its plastic sheathing. You should quickly identify the problem, regardless of whether it is at one fixture or the circuit breaker box. If you aren’t confident with DIY fixes, contact a professional.
Incorrectly Ground Flexible Gas Lines
Corrugated stainless-steel tubing (CSST), also known as “flex line”, is a popular option for gas supply throughout your home. To avoid catastrophic blowouts, it is important to ensure that the tubing is properly grounded. A lightning strike or electrical surge on your property can cause a corrugated tube to burst, causing a gas leakage or explosion.
The clamp could possibly pierce the line, as explained in the story. The sheathing acts as an obstacle, negating the purpose of grounding.
Ungrounded = Shocks
Grounding electrical systems is a topic we are referring to, but it’s important to note that there may be more grounding problems than your gas line. It’s possible to get a shock if you touch any metal object that is connected to your electrical system. This is true for ceiling fans and lamps, as well as other electrical fixtures like water lines and furnace ductwork. These shocks should not be confused with static electricity pops.
Your electrical service may not be grounded if it has three-prong outlets. Appliances that are required to be grounded will not work if they have an ungrounded outlet. Three-prong ungrounded plugs are the top electrical error.
Loose Outlets
If the cord is slipping out of an outlet, you should open it up and fix it. An outlet that is loose will eventually cause its wires to move around, which can lead to sparks, shorts and fire hazards. This serious problem is easy to fix. Here are some ways to quickly and safely secure outlets.
Bogus UL Stickers
Underwriters Laboratory is a group that ensures products meet minimum safety standards. UL stickers are used to indicate that devices, such as extension cords and smoke detectors, have been passed inspection. Some manufacturers use counterfeit labels to avoid UL inspection. You should always look at the sticker carefully before you buy cheap electrical products. Look out for typos and other signs that might be off-putting. For more information, see this UL guide on spotting fakes.
Messy or tangled wires
A well-organized, neatly organized cabling won’t conduct better than wires that aren’t straight or run in a straight line. Signs of disorganization and rushed work may indicate poor or rushed electrical work.
You should inspect the rest of your electrical service if you notice excessively tangled lines or junction boxes that look like rats’ nests. Keep an eye out for other violations of electrical code when you inspect the rest of your home’s electrical service.
Rodent Activity
It’s time to move beyond metaphorical rats nests to actual ones. If you find rodent droppings or nest material near electrical wiring, make sure to check for chew marks. Rodents can chew through wires until they are completely bare. While the rodents won’t survive beyond that point, it is possible for you to be in for a surprise if the wire sparks or overheats.
You should inspect your wiring for signs of rodent activity if you find them.
