Electrical Fixtures Needed Before Buying A House: A Guide From Your Electrician Near Me In | Myrtle Beach, SC

11/12/2022

Are you considering buying a house? Do the endless beaches and numerous attractions of Myrtle Beach, SC, have you thinking about investing in a vacation home there? To make that dream come true, there are many things to consider, financing being probably the most important one.

But curb appeal and the neighborhood are not the only things influencing your decision. Besides building quality and plumbing issues, electrical safety is another essential factor that needs to be thoroughly assessed. Continue reading to learn more about the most common electrical problems that house buyers need to look out for.

Electrical Panel

Among the first things you should look at is the service panel. It is responsible for distributing electricity throughout the house. In older homes, electrical panels had a capacity of 60 amps, barely enough for modern electricity needs. Today, the electrical panel size should be at least 100 amps. But your electrician near me in the greater Myrtle Beach area can upgrade it to 150 to 200 amps if necessary.

Circuit breakers are crucial for the safety of your home. Check to see if they are working correctly or if they trip often. Are they labeled, and are they the right size? What about the electric meter? Have an electrician near me in Myrtle Beach check if there is an arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) and if it was installed correctly.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 50 percent of home fires could be prevented if AFCIs were installed correctly. The electric panel should also have GFCI breakers and surge protectors. Especially in older homes, make sure the panel is suitably grounded and protected.

Wiring

In older homes, you’ll likely find the wiring outdated and cannot sustain modern electricity needs. Older homes used to have aluminum wiring, which tends to overheat.

An electrician near me in South Carolina will check for any damaged and exposed wires and connections that have not been adequately insulated. The previous owners might not have been careful and regularly overloaded the wiring system. This could have caused some wires to melt and be exposed.

If you get shocked by touching an outlet or flipping a light switch, the wiring is damaged and needs repair. Having an electrician near me in the city completely rewire an older home is best.

Outlets

A typical modern household has a lot of electrical devices and appliances. That’s why your prospective home needs enough outlets. Check places like the kitchen, bedroom, and living room. But not only indoors should you ensure that you have enough outlets.

It would be best if you had outlets on your patio and back of the house for power tools, lights, and other devices you might want to use outside. You do not want to have extension cables running through your house. Not only are they a tripping hazard, but they also cause around 3,300 home fires every year.

Check if all outlets are working and if they were overloaded. You can see that by the burning marks on an outlet. Overloading a circuit causes the wiring to overheat and can result in a fire. If you have small children, you might also want to replace the regular outlets with tamper-resistant receptacles.

GFCI Outlets

You should pay special attention to the outlets in the kitchen, the bathroom, and outside of the house. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) prevent electrocution in places close to water sources. They are a crucial safety feature and are a must in the kitchen, bathroom, and basement.

If those places already have GFCI outlets, an electrician near me in the city should check if they are working correctly. For added safety, ensure outside receptacles have a weather-proof protective covering.

Light Switches

Just like outlets, you should check if all light switches are working. Does the light flicker when you turn it on? Do you hear a buzzing sound? Are the lights dim or too bright? These symptoms show a problem with the lighting fixture or the wiring. In older homes, light bulbs are often exposed.

They need to be covered to prevent the heat from the bulb from causing a potential fire. You might also want an electrician near me in the town to add more light fixtures if you feel some places are too dark.

Electrical Requirements

Most importantly, you will need an electrician near me in Myrtle Beach, SC, to confirm whether the house’s electrical system conforms to the National Electric Code (NEC) and local requirements. The NEC is revised every three years.

If the home you are considering has been on the market for a while, there is a high probability that it is not up to code. If the previous owners renovated, ask them if they got renovation permits from the local authorities. This will ensure that electrical upgrades and changes are done correctly and safely.

Electrical Inspection

When buying a house, many things need to be considered, and you often feel overwhelmed. That is why you need an electrician near me in Myrtle Beach to thoroughly inspect the house you want to buy. The technician will have the expertise and tools to evaluate the property correctly.

A specialist will be able to recognize if any electrical shortcuts or mistakes were made. If there are any safety issues, a professional can point them out. A licensed electrical inspector will be able to tell you the things the current homeowner must fix before they can sell the house. This will save you a lot of money on unnecessary electrical repairs.

We Will Help You Make Your Home Safer and Brighter

If you need an electrical inspection or other electrical services, Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach has everything you need. Our experienced, trained, and licensed professionals offer our customers only the best service and ensure everyone is satisfied with their work. Additionally, our emergency electrician near me in Myrtle Beach, SC, will come to your aid any time of the day or night. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today.

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