If you love doing projects around the house, you are likely accustomed to “figuring it out”. With a YouTube video and a manual, you are confident in your abilities as a home repair expert – and you should be!
Still, there are some home improvement projects that simply should not be attempted by amateurs, no matter how skilled you may be at DIY. Electrical projects represent some of the more dangerous situations, as they can result in damaging your home or worse, getting severely injured. Here are some examples of the electrical projects you should never undertake on your own.
4 Electrical Projects Which Require a Professional
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- Electrical Panels: It is important to know where your electrical panel is located (often in the garage in Sarasota area homes). It is also helpful to know how to shut the electrical panel off if you are experiencing an emergency. But that is really the extent of what your involvement should be – remember, this is the source of all power running in your home. Tinkering around an electrical panel can result in power surges and even electrical fires, which can cause serious damage to your property. If you suspect your electrical panel is malfunctioning or you need something replaced , call a licensed electrician.
- Dedicated Circuits: Clearly, dedicated circuits are an important and integral part of your electrical systems. These circuits regulate how much power your appliances draw, monitor and ensure that fuses aren’t blown, and that your wiring will not overheat. Not only do dedicated circuits save you money on your power bills, they my save you from an electrical emergency. But if your appliances – from the dishwasher to the TV and refrigerator – are not properly connected to these circuits and the circuits properly installed, overload and overheating may occur. This could not only cause a fire, but may also destroy your appliances.
- Wiring: Installing electrical wiring is not only potentially dangerous, but it is not easy. Licensed electricians study for years and become certified in order to properly wire your home or business. While you may think that the wiring installation went just fine, improper wiring is an emergency waiting to happen, when you least expect it. This is why it is so important to have wiring properly installed, as well as inspected thoroughly if you are purchasing a home.
- Outlets and GCFI’s: Obviously, many traditional Sarasota homes were not built with modern electrical needs in mind. If you need to add electrical outlets to your home, or want to convert a standard outlet to a GCFI, an electrician is needed. Improper grounding can result in fire or a loss of power to your home.
- What is a GCFI outlet? Electrical code often requires that at least one outlet in your bathrooms and your kitchen is GFCI. These outlets are designed to shut off power if water comes in contact with the electricity or the load of electricity becomes unbalanced, preventing a shock.
Not only will doing your own electrical projects often result in undesirable results, you may also be violating building codes. Florida has laws regarding electrical code violations, and your electrical works must meet these codes in order for your home to be compliant. A licensed Sarasota electrician is not only knowledgeable and up-to-date on all the current codes and recent changes, but will have the relevant training and expertise to make sure that your home is safe .
No matter your electrical project, the professionals at Promise Electric should be your first call. We are dedicated not only to providing quality installation and service for all electrical systems, but we promise you exceptional customer service as well.
