Hazards in electrical systems are a critical concern for homes, impacting the safety and functionality of everyday living. While many homes are properly wired and experience few issues throughout their lifetimes, others are subject to a wide range of problems, either due to an initial issue setting up the house’s electrical system or due to damage and regular wear-and-tear experienced along the way.
The solution?
Conducting an electrical safety inspection is one way to improve your home’s electrical system and experience greater peace of mind. But do these inspections help you catch problems? Will they make a difference in the state of your home?
Let’s take a closer look at whether electrical safety inspections identify hazards, other considerations you should have when considering one, and how the professionals here at Mister Sparky can provide you with the level of care and high-quality service you deserve!
So, Can Electrical Safety Inspections Help Identify Hazards?
Absolutely! Think of an electrical safety inspection as any other inspection you’d normally conduct at home. When a professional electrician comes into your home to conduct an inspection, there are numerous hazards that they will be able to identify and address for you. Some of the main hazards they may encounter include damaged wiring, outlets that either light up or smell like they are burning, and outdated wiring that needs to be replaced because it’s a fire hazard.
What’s most beneficial with hazards is that an inspection can help you catch those you know about and those you may not. For example, while flickering lights are an obvious sign that something may be wrong with your system, you may not know there is damage throughout the system waiting to strike.
A thorough electrical safety inspection can help you understand your current electrical system and address problems before they worsen.
Hazards That Are Often Discovered During an Inspection
We’ve discussed some of the hazards above, and these are just a few examples. The reality is that numerous hazards can be present in an electrical system. Some of the most common hazards that homes will experience (aside from the above) include the following.
- Overloaded circuits are quite common. You may notice that your breaker is always tripping despite your efforts to fix it. This indicates overloading a circuit with too many appliances or other electronics.
- Older homes often have issues with improper grounding. When this happens, fuses may pop, which poses a risk to your home.
- Wiring can experience issues beyond being damaged or made of the wrong materials. For example, some wires may be frayed and partially exposed, which could become more dangerous as time passes and the damage expands.
- There are leaks elsewhere throughout the house that are threatening the electrical system.
- And beyond…
What Are the Other Benefits of Getting an Electrical Safety Inspection?
Identifying hazards in your electrical system is the main goal when you get your system inspected. However, if you’re looking for further incentive to make the call, there are other benefits you will experience when you decide to inspect your home’s electrical system.
One benefit is the fixes that will help your home function optimally. By finding and addressing hazards in the home, you can enjoy a more efficient electrical system. Faulty systems often make it hard to use the electricity in your home, and they can run up your electric bill quite substantially.
Another key benefit is compliance. Safety code compliance is especially crucial for those who just purchased a home or are considering constructing one. Without an electrical system that adheres to code, you’re greatly putting yourself at risk and potentially dealing with a major problem later on.
An electrical safety inspection can support you in many ways beyond just catching obvious signs of electrical problems that require a quick fix.
Who Needs an Electrical Safety Inspection?
Are you a prospective homeowner? If so, getting an electrical safety inspection before purchasing a home is paramount. An inspection will tell you more about the system’s state, which will play a role in negotiations and help you determine if you want to renovate the home or move into it as is.
Of course, you might already have purchased and lived in a home for a while. In that case, you’ll want to adhere to best practices when getting a safety inspection. The older your home is, the more frequently you’ll want to expect it.
If your home was built more than 40 years ago, you should get an inspection once a year at the very least or once every three years if you’re putting it off. If your home was built over 20 years ago, this number will jump to every three to five years. If built within the last ten years, you can generally wait about a decade before getting it inspected.
It might seem like a lot, but older homes need regular inspections to ensure their systems haven’t degraded or that there aren’t any developing hazards to be identified and fixed.
Signs That It’s Time for an Inspection
Watching out for signs that it’s time for an electrical safety inspection can make all the difference in your and your property’s safety. The general rule of thumb is to contact your local electrician company if you notice any strange behaviors, smells, sounds, or an increase in heat. Any potential issue is cause for concern and indicates it’s time for an inspection.
Get the Comprehensive Inspection You Deserve With Mister Sparky!
Electrical safety inspections effectively find hazards and benefit you as a homeowner. Are you ready to conduct an electrical safety inspection on your home? If so, Mister Sparky is here to help! We offer comprehensive electrical safety inspections and a wide range of services to quickly and effectively address any problems we may come across. Contact us now or book an appointment with us today!