Common Electrical Repair Problems An Electrician Can Help With In Old Residences | Myrtle Beach, SC

6/6/2021

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In the United States, electrical fires account for about 51,000 fires annually in homes, causing approximately 500 deaths and over 1400 injuries. Such fires may be triggered by defective electrical outlets, old appliances, or faulty switches and appliance cords.

Electrical repair problems are common in older homes due to faulty wiring or grounding issues. As a homeowner, you may want to move to an older home because such homes have attractive styles and bigger rooms, which modern houses do not feature.

If you own or have recently moved to an older residence, you may want to contact an experienced electrician for inspections to safeguard your loved ones from electrical hazards. You should always be keen on your home’s electrical system so as to not lose your house to electrical fires.

Here are some electrical repair issues that an electrician in Myrtle Beach, SC, can help you fix.

Lighting Problems

If you experience lighting issues such as switch failure, bulb burnouts, or flickering lights, chances are you’re having an electrical problem that needs an electrician to identify and fix it. Switch failure is a common issue that most homeowners face. Some may blame the workmanship for installing a switch that doesn’t work properly. If the current flowing in and out doesn’t match, the power supply can be interrupted, causing switch failure. This may be due to old wiring, faulty electrical appliances, or old switches.

If dimming or flickering lights is caused by an old or loose bulb, then the issue may not be very serious. Lights may become dim for about a second. If the lights flicker for a prolonged period, it’s time to call a certified electrician to address the issue. Some of the possible causes of flickering lights may be faulty or exposed wiring or circuit overloads.

Older homes with defective aluminum and copper wiring are prone to flickering light issues. If you’re unsure of the cause, contact an electrical service to detect and fix the problem.

Additionally, bulb burnouts are another issue of concern. You may find yourself buying bulbs more frequently, but the issue may not be with the bulbs. If your bulbs burn out more often, it may be due to high voltage, poor electrical connection, or extremely high wattage.

Dead Outlets

Electrical outlets are important components in every home since most electrical appliances and equipment require a source of electricity. As a homeowner, you’ll understand the inconvenience caused by a dead outlet if you’re sitting on your couch and you want to charge your phone or a laptop.

You may have to rely on the available outlet, and this may lead to circuit breaker trips. Therefore, it’s wise to call an electrical service to install more outlets in your home. Tripped circuit breakers may cause dead outlets. Some homeowners may try to resolve the issue by resetting the breakers. Even after doing so, you may still have dead outlets. If that’s the case, you may be having loose or broken circuit connections.

It may also be caused by faulty electrical wiring. If left unresolved, a dead electrical outlet can cause short-circuiting, which may cause fires. You should reach out to a trained electrician to install new outlets throughout your home.

Surges in Electricity

Electrical surges may be due to lightning, improper wiring in your home, or a damaged power line. It’s a common electrical problem most homeowners encounter and usually lasts for about a second. Surges may make your household appliances, for instance, a refrigerator TV or to go on and off. If they happen more frequently, they can damage your appliances and may even decrease their lifespan.

That’s why it’s important to call an electrical service immediately when you experience surges to find a possible solution for the problem. However, an electrician may not address some surge issues, such as those caused by lightning strikes or faulty power lines. For this reason, you should install a surge protector in your Myrtle Beach, SC home to protect your appliances from damage.

Defective or Old Wiring

When searching for a new house to purchase, you should ask for the age of the property. However, some homeowners may overlook the fancy nature of the interior decor and the exterior landscape and fail to look at the things that matter, including electrical wiring. Some electrical contractors could be after your money and provide substandard services, including poor wiring.

Wiring deteriorates with time, especially in a moist and exposed environment. In most old homes, contractors preferred using Aluminium wiring as it was considered cheap. Aluminum is known to expand and contract due to temperature changes. It is also prone to oxidation and corrosion when conducting electricity.

As a result, it can result in overheating, causing fires hence making it an unsafe option. Aside from causing fires, the old and poorly installed wires may also cause sparking and hot electric outlets. Therefore, if you recently moved to an old house, you should have an electrician inspect your home’s electrical wiring to ensure they’re in good condition.

Tripping Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are installed to protect appliances from damages resulting from short-circuiting or power overloads. If too many electrical devices are drawing electric current from a single source, there’s a chance of the breaker getting tripped. Although this may be a good sign that your fixture is protected, it may also indicate an electrical problem. If tripping happens more frequently, then you may need assistance from a certified electrician near you.

Some homeowners may try to resolve the issue by resetting the breaker, but it may not be a perfect solution as it only worsens the situation. If the problem is not addressed, an overloaded circuit can result in overheating the circuit, causing electric fires. An electrical service can help you identify what causes tripping. As a homeowner, you can unplug the appliances that are not in use to prevent the chances of tripping.

Find a Certified Electrician Near You

Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach is an electrical service company serving Myrtle Beach, SC, and the surrounding areas. Whether you need new electrical equipment or repair an existing one, we’re here to help you. We also offer surge protection services to safeguard your electronics from damage. Our electrical team is available 24/7 for emergencies. Call us today!