Common Electrical Issues in Homes: When to Call a Professional

Today, most of your home will run off electricity, be it your lights, your television or your oven. It would be fair to say you wouldn’t be able to live without electricity. So, when your home experiences an electrical issue, it can be a complete nightmare. So, DIY electrical repairs can be tempting. But not all home electrical repairs are a good idea. Sometimes, a professional is needed. In order to know when you might need a professional, you need to know what the issues could be.

There are a number of common electrical issues that your home can face, each with its own signs and solutions. So, what could each sign mean, and when do you need professional electrical services?

At SESC Solutions, we have over 20 years of experience providing a broad range of electrical services to homeowners across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset. Whether it be a small issue with flickering lights or a larger issue with outlets not working at all, we can help.

In this blog, we share the common electrical issues households face and why you should call a professional rather than try DIY repairs.

Common Electrical Problems in Homes

There are several common electrical problems that households face.

Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips

Circuit breakers are a safety feature of any household electrical system, and they trip when the system is overloaded to prevent damage to appliances, fires, or other hazards.

They act as automatic switches which stop the flow of power in a number of scenarios:

  • Power overload - too many devices are drawing power
  • Short circuit - two hot wires touch each other
  • Ground fault - a hot wire contacts a grounded part of the system
  • Faulty appliance or wiring - damaged or frayed wiring
  • Arc faults - loose connections or damaged wires

Your circuit breaker tripping frequently is a sign of something wrong in your electrical system, and ignoring it could cause several consequences:

  • Electrical fires
  • Damage to appliances
  • Injury or electrocution
  • Decreased system efficiency
  • Compounding issues

Flickering or Dimming Lights

Flickering or dimming lights could be a sign of a simple issue such as an overloaded circuit, or it could signify a more pressing issue that there is faulty wiring somewhere.

If there are too many devices plugged into the electrical circuit, it will exceed the capacity, causing voltage drops, which cause flickering or dimming.

Additionally, flickering lights could be due to faulty wiring, such as loose connections, damaged or frayed wires or outdated wiring.

Faulty bulbs and or fixtures and voltage fluctuations from utility providers are also other causes of the flickering lights.

Non-Functional Outlets

One of the most inconvenient problems you can face as a homeowner is a power outlet not working at all. There are several causes of this, again some could be a small issue, and others could be a larger problem.

Your power outlets will stop working when your circuit breaker trips, so your starting point will be to check the fuse box.

Other problems can include:

  • Loose wiring
  • Burnt outlets
  • Faulty components
  • Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) issues
  • Broken outlets or wall plates
  • External issues, such as issues with the electrical panel

Burning Smell or Scorch Marks on Outlets

Burning smells or scorch marks on outlets are signs of a serious problem, so should never be ignored.

Common causes of these are:

  • Overheating due to an overloaded circuit
  • Short circuits
  • Loose or damaged wiring
  • Faulty outlets or components
  • Poor installation
  • Outdated wiring

These have some serious consequences, so it is important that they are dealt with immediately.

Consequences include:

  • Fire hazard
  • Electrical shock risk
  • Damage to appliances and electronics
  • Costly repairs

Electrical Shocks

We've all experienced a static shock from a car door or a door handle, and electrical shocks can feel the same. Some will cause minor discomfort, and you might not think much of it. But, if you experience a shock from an electrical appliance, you should have it looked at quickly. Shocks can be extremely dangerous and lead to serious injury or death if not sorted.

Causes can often include:

  • Exposed or damaged wires
  • Loose connections
  • Short circuits
  • Lack of proper grounding
  • Broken or disconnected ground wires
  • Improper use of ground adapters

Why You Should Call a Professional Electrician

As you can see, there are many common issues, all of which can be caused by a number of problems.

All of these common issues can have severe consequences if left unattended, but because there are so many possibilities causing the issue, it is always a good idea to get a professional to take a look at the issue.

While it might be tempting to tackle an electrical issue yourself, home electrical repairs can have serious hazards:

  • Fire hazards
  • Electric shocks and electrocution
  • Voiding home insurance
  • Regulation violations and fines
  • Damage to appliances and electronics
  • Hidden problems leading to costly repairs
  • Injury to yourself or others

Professional electrical services will be able to ensure all the work is carried out safely so no one gets hurt and your appliances and electronics don't get damaged.

On top of this, a professional electrician will also be able to guarantee that all the electrical repairs meet UK regulations, keeping your home safe and compliant.

Finally, they are likely to provide a long-term solution rather than a simple, quick fix that might cause more issues further down the line.

Trust SESC Solutions Professional Electrical Repairs

When you need professional electrical repairs, you want someone you can trust.

SESC Solutions has a team of highly qualified and expert electricians with over 20 years of experience.

Our accredited team are able to deal with any issue you might be facing, from resolving short-circuiting issues to rewiring your whole system to replace an old wiring set-up.

Contact our team today to book an appointment and get your home electrical issues sorted. Call us on 01747 445 509 or complete our online contact form to request a callback from our expert team.

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