When you own a residential property, some minor household electrical issues cannot be avoided. Things get worn or old; some items may break, or others may get damaged from a surge. Knowing how to identify some of the most common issues will help when you call your local electrician and need to explain the problem.
Short Circuit
Sometimes when you turn on an appliance that uses a lot of power (e.g., a hairdryer), it can cause a short circuit and trip the breaker. This is a simple fix–you can go to your circuit box and flip the breaker back on. Pay attention if the same appliance or outlet is frequently causing a short circuit, though, as this can indicate a deeper issue. Call an electrician to diagnose and recommend fixes for this problem.
Power Sags
If you notice that all your lights dim when you turn on an appliance or device, you’re experiencing a power sag. This is often an indicator that the device is cheaply made and not functioning correctly.
Power Surges
On the other hand, a power surge is an excess of electricity sent through your home. Though often caused by lightning strikes, surges can also originate during grid changes at the power company or when a large appliance turns off or on. Frequent power surges cause significant damage to devices that are plugged in during the surge. Get surge protectors to save your devices, and contact an electrician if surges are common so you can eliminate the cause.
,Loose Outlet Cover
This is a minor problem that is easily fixed. Sometimes, outlet covers become loose over time. If you’ve tightened the screws all you can and the cover is still wiggly, get an outlet shim. This fits between the cover and the wall to close the gap. Keep in mind that you might need to get longer screws to accommodate the shim.
Burned-Out Light Bulbs
Light bulbs burn out for several reasons. Sometimes, it’s just because their lifespan was up. However, if your bulbs are frequently going out, there may be a different problem. You should contact an electrician if you’re often replacing bulbs since they will be able to get to the root of the issue. Here are a few things that might be happening if you’re constantly replacing bulbs:
- The wattage you are using might be too high. Try using bulbs with lower wattage in the fixture and see how they do.
- Insulation is sitting too close to the light. If the insulation in your ceiling has settled too close to the wiring or light, it may be causing the bulb to overheat.
- Faulty wiring. Improperly connected or damaged wires will cause numerous problems and are a serious fire hazard. If you suspect bad wiring, call your electrician immediately to fix it.
High Electric Bill
If your bill comes and is much higher than expected, you might have an electrical vampire on your hands.
- There may be a leak in your hot water that is causing the system to work overtime.
- The coils on your AC unit might be dirty or clogged, causing your unit to struggle.
- An appliance might be causing power surges.
- There may be faulty wiring that causes the system to overdraw electricity.
Never attempt to fix an electrical wiring problem on your own; always call a professional to ensure you and your home remain safe.
Promise Electric provides professional residential and commercial electrical services throughout the greater Sarasota area.
