Buying a new house can be a stressful experience, no matter how quickly or seamlessly the process goes for you. Though you may be eager to find a place as fast as possible, don’t let your haste cloud your judgment. Pay close attention as you tour an open house; most people focus on the obvious things like appliances, features, and colors, which is understandable. But in all the excitement, you may overlook important details such as the electrical system components. After all, repainting walls is relatively inexpensive, but replacing electrical components or diagnosing electrical issues in a new home can add up.
Of course, you should always have a home inspection before buying a home. Suppose your general inspector sees a problem with the electrical system. In that case, you can call an expert electrician to inspect further and explain what is happening behind the home’s walls. The home may be beautiful, but it also needs to be safe!
Here are some things to watch out for when shopping for a new home.
Outlets with Two Holes
If you notice that most or all of the outlets only have the two-prong receptacles and no grounding socket, this is a sign that the electrical system is likely outdated. These days outlets include the grounding socket to protect appliances and devices from electrical surges. Two-prong outlets are prone to sparking or buzzing because they do not have the grounding wire to redirect excess electricity and are more likely to be a fire hazard. Upgrading to three-prong outlets requires that new ground wires be run to every outlet, which can be expensive–in general, it costs between $150 – $300 per outlet, plus the cost of patching and repainting the parts of the wall that are torn out to run the wire. This may be something you could ask the sellers to pay for before closing.
Multiple Extension Cords
If the current homeowners are relying heavily on extension cords throughout the house, this is a sign that the outlets aren’t well distributed. Specifically, daisy-chained extension cords are a concern because you cannot safely connect them, and shorts and fires become much more of a hazard when cords are linked. Though inconveniently placed outlets don’t have to be a deal-breaker, you will want to be prepared to pay for some more outlets to be installed so that you aren’t relying on extension cords frequently.
Burnt or Cracked Outlets
A sure sign of electrical hazards is if the outlets or light switches are cracked or burnt. When touring a house, be sure to look at these fixtures. Black or yellowing scorch marks, heat around the sockets, or a smell of burning plastic or ionized air (the smell we associate with electricity) around them is a clear indicator of something wrong. Cracked sockets also point to sparking or short-circuiting occurring in the wires. If you decide to buy the house, have an electrician come out as soon as possible to diagnose the issue and perform any repairs necessary to make the system safe.
As stated above, you should always have an electrical home inspection performed when you go under contract for a house during the due diligence period. They can identify problems, and you may be able to negotiate for the sellers to cover the repair costs.
Promise Electric is proud of our reputation in the Sarasota area. Both residential and business owners trust our team of master electricians for their electrical projects, large or small. Call today to learn more.
