When purchasing a new home, inspections are a very important part of the process. Before taking possession of the property, you should be sure that there are no surprises, and that the home is in the condition you expect when you move in. Although an electrical inspection is usually only performed if a problem is suspected, it may be one of the smartest things you can ask for.
While a general home inspector will check the electrical panels and any connections in the home, he or she is typically not qualified to do much more than identify a potential problem. In fact. most will recommend that you have a licensed and insured electrician come and inspect any problems they may notice. Given that electricity is such an important – and potentially dangerous – element of your daily life, it may be prudent to bring a professional electrician in right at the beginning.
Elements of an Electrical Inspection
Most fires that start in a residence are caused by an electrical defect of some kind. An electrical inspection is the best way to guarantee that you are safe from electrical deficiencies and fire hazards. Here are some of the areas that your electrician will be concentrating on:
- Electrical Service Panels: Every home has an electrical service panel. In Florida, homes are generally built with the panel located on the exterior or the home or in the garage. The panel contains circuit breakers or fuses. Your electrician will be assessing the age of the panel, as well as looking for any dark or smoky residue, and signs of wear and tear. In older Sarasota homes, panels may contain outdated fuses which should be replaced; rusty or worn panels should also be switched out for safety.
- Unsafe Wiring: In general, a home built before 1973 may have been wired with materials (such as aluminum) which present unique safety and performance problems. In fact, depending on your insurance company, they may require that electrical wires are updated before they will insure the home. Also in older homes, it is not uncommon to see wiring which the owner “rigged” – from spliced and exposed wiring to double tapped fuses. Because we didn’t require nearly as much electricity 50 years ago, older homes may also have extremely overloaded panels. All are unsafe for a homeowner.
- Wet Outlets: Areas prone to getting wet, such as kitchens and bathrooms, must have ground fault circuit interrupters installed. Additionally, light switches must be several inches away from water. An electrician inspecting your home will check to ensure that GFCI outlets are installed in any potentially wet area, and that they are working properly. Why do you need a GCFI outlet in the bathroom? GCFI outlets have an inbuilt sensor which monitors the flowing current, and can detect even the slightest deviation, such as if a person is experiencing electric shock. The GCFI will automatically shut down power in less than a second.
- Outlets and Fixtures: Before you clear your inspection contingency, you will want to be sure that interior outlets, light switches, appliance cords and GFCIs are inspected. Loose outlets should be tightened or replaced and cords must not loosely dangle from outlets. Outlets should always be cool to the touch, and humming or clicking sounds should be investigated.Although there may be some cost involved in upgrading your electrical system, it is worth it for peace of mind. Remember, your insurance rates may also be positively impacted if you inform your insurer that your electrical panel has been completely modernized.Even if your home is newer. having an electrician take a look at the wiring and outlets is always a safe practice. For the best licensed and insured electricians in the Sarasota area, call Promise Electric. Our guarantee of exceptional skill and customer service is in our name.
