Signs Your SLC Home Requires Electrical Re-Wiring

Among the potential issues that may crop up around your home from time to time, one of the single most frustrating categories is that of concerns with your electrical system. Any electrical outages are not only annoying, but also may cost you money — and can even feature certain safety risks or hazards that no resident ever wants to deal with.

At My Buddy the Plumber, we’re happy to offer extensive commercial and residential electrician services for clients throughout Salt Lake City and the rest of Utah, ensuring your space has the power it needs and is never risking anyone’s safety. One of the most common needs we find in structures that are having electrical issues: They require re-wiring of some part of the electrical system, if not the entire setup. What are some of the telltale signs that your home’s electrical wiring is out of whack and requires some attention, whether in the form of re-wiring or entirely new wiring? Here are several to keep in mind.

Burning Smell

While there are a few possible causes of a burning odor in your home, those that aren’t related to the electrical system will typically be easy to find. For instance, if you can identify the source of the burning as coming from your oven, that’s likely due to food and not an electrical issue — though you’ll want to have it checked out regardless.

On the other hand, if you can’t find a source for the burning smell or it seems to be emanating from outlets, light switches or other electrical sources, that’s a sign of a serious wiring issue. If you smell burning and it’s coming from your electrical system, evacuate the premises immediately and call an electrician right away.

Most often, a burning smell in your wiring comes from loose connections or overloaded circuits, and it’s a sign that your system is in danger of starting a fire.

Flickering Lights

If the lights in your home are flickering, that’s often an indication of loose connections somewhere in the wiring. It can also be caused by faulty switches or dimmer controls, so if you have those installed, check them first to see if they may be the issue.

However, if you don’t have dimmer switches and the flickering is happening throughout the home, particularly if it happens more frequently when appliances are in use, that’s a sign that your electrical system as a whole needs some attention. This is signaling that electricity within your system is having trouble being transported evenly, and that’s a recipe for disaster down the line.

Outlets That Don’t Work

If you have outlets in your home that don’t seem to work or that only work intermittently, there are a few possibilities. One is simply that the outlet itself has gone bad and will need to be replaced. Another possibility is that the circuit breaker for that outlet has been tripped and needs to be reset.

However, if outlets throughout your home seem to be going bad or flickering on an off, that’s likely a sign of faulty wiring somewhere in the system. This is especially true if you have outlets that are particularly hot to the touch, as this means they’re not receiving the proper amount of electricity and are overcompensating by drawing more power — which can cause a fire.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues in your home, it’s important to have an electrician come out and take a look as soon as possible. My Buddy the Plumber has extensive experience with electrical wiring and can help you with these and similar concerns.

Outlet or Switch Discoloring

In other cases, the telltale signs from your outlets will speak to their visual appearance. Loose wiring, for instance, often lets electricity escape — such electricity presents itself in the form of sparks, which can cause black soot or charring around an outlet.

This is another case in which it’s important to have an electrician come take a look, as this is a serious fire hazard. Even if you don’t see any sparks, outlets or switches that are discolored (particularly if they’re discolored beyond simple dirt or dust) may be a sign that they’re not receiving the right amount of electricity, and that’s a problem you’ll want to have addressed.

Constant Breaker Trips

Once again, beware that it’s possible for a circuit breaker to trip for several reasons, including some that don’t have anything to do with wiring. For example, if you have a new appliance that’s too powerful for the circuit it’s on, that can trip the breaker.

However, if you’re experiencing several power outages throughout your home, particularly if they seem to be happening more frequently over time, that may be due to faulty wiring or an overloaded electrical system. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed by an electrician as soon as possible.

Wiring is Very Old

Finally, while it’s not a visual or perceptible “sign” per se, the simple age of your home’s wiring can be a serious issue. Wiring has a lifespan of around 40-50 years, and homes that are much older than that may well have wiring that’s simply too old to function properly.

If your home is very old, it’s a good idea to have an electrician come out and check the wiring, even if you’re not currently experiencing any problems. It may well be time for an update, and it’s always better to be proactive when it comes to your home’s electrical system.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues in your home, it’s important to have an electrician come out and take a look as soon as possible. My Buddy the Plumber is happy to assist with a variety of electrical needs for our SLC clients — simply call us at your convenience!