10 Most Common Electrical Issues in the Home

10 Most Common Electrical Issues in Your Home

Not everyone fully understands how electricity works, and that’s okay. But it is important to educate yourself on the basics of electricity and how to respond when common electrical issues arise in your home.

So, what are the most common electrical issues that arise in homes today and how can they be addressed? When do you need to call an electrician? Keep reading to help ensure you keep you and your family safe in your home.

#10. Unorganized Wires

Do you know where your junction box is? It would be a good idea to put identifying its location on the top of your to-do list. When you find it, make sure it is covered. A junction box is supposed to keep an influx of different wires safe and organized. If this box is uncovered, it is likely violating code and can be dangerous. An uncovered junction box can lead to damaged and frayed wires. If you need help locating your junction box and getting it reorganized, an electrician can help you with this.

It’s a good idea to get an electrical inspection on your home to make sure everything is up to code to avoid electrical issues in the near future.

#9. Exposed Wires

Exposed wires can be a danger to those in your home. If you notice that wires are exposed or damaged, turn off your power and tape them up. If you’re uncomfortable with doing this task, you can always hire an electrician to do it for you safely.

#8. Power Surges

What is a power surge? A power surge is an electrical issue that arises when power comes through at a higher voltage than normal. Surges can be caused by internal or external forces. These can include lightning striking the home, poor electrical wiring in the home, appliances that are not operating properly, and damaged power lines. Frequent surges can cause damage to your appliances. The best way to prevent surges is to make sure that you are not overloading your outlets and to disconnect any poor quality devices from your outlets. If the surges do not stop after you do this, reach out to your electrician.

#7. Lighting Problems

Have you noticed your lights going out frequently? Are you noticing that they are more dim than usual? Are they flickering? Buzzing? These are common lighting issues homeowners run into. These issues could be caused by the following:

• High voltage
• Light bulb is screwed in too tight
• Improper wiring
• Wattage is incorrect or too high
• Improper air circulation

Before calling a professional, check if the holder is loose and if the wattage for the bulbs is correct. If those are not the issue, you should call an experienced electrician.

#6. Circuit Breakers Tripping

Circuit breakers tripping could be a good sign that your home is protected. If too many high-power appliances are plugged in to one source at a time, there’s a good chance that your breaker will trip. If lowering your power settings and unplugging them does not fix the issue though, there is likely bad or loose wiring somewhere. Make sure you call an electrician to safely identify this problem and get it fixed.

#5. High Electrical Bills

There are not many things worse than paying a high energy bill. What’s causing those numbers to go up? There could be some electrical issues going on or you can change some of your daily habits to help decrease that bill. Here are some changes you can make to cut your energy cost:

• Unplug devices you’re not using
• Turn your lights off when you’re not using them
• Utilize natural lighting during the day
• Make the switch to LED lights
• Put decorative lights on a timer
• Identify devices that may be causing electrical surges
• Get faulty wiring fixed

#4. Light Switches Not Working

This is a common issue that arises when the switches were not installed properly. This could also be a result of low-grade products being used. This issue should be addressed by an electrician as it can be a dangerous task for the typical homeowner.

#3. Outlets Not Working

Do you have an outlet that’s not working? What could the cause be and how do you address this problem?

The circuit breaker tripping is one of the most common causes. This is an easy fix—just find the switch that tripped and switch it off and on.

Other issues that could be the cause are faulty, burned out, or half-hot outlets along with blown fuses or loose wires. If you don’t feel comfortable identifying the issue yourself, call a professional to identify and install new outlets for you. This could be a dangerous job, so a professional is recommended.

If your house is older, you may not have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) installed. If you don’t have a GFCI installed, it’s likely that two different outlets are connected that you wouldn’t expect—a bathroom outlet and a bedroom outlet could be connected. Not only are GFCIs there to keep you safe, their absence could cause multiple outlets to have issues without knowing why.

#2. Electrical Shocks

Getting shocked when using a product is concerning. If you plug in another product and you get shocked again, there is an electrical problem present and you should call an electrician promptly to address it.

#1. Warm or Sparking Outlets and Switches

If your outlets and switches feel warm to the touch or if you notice sparks coming from the outlets when you plug something in, discontinue use of the outlet immediately and call an electrician. This could be dangerous and cause an electrical fire.

We hope this helps you identify some of the most common electrical issues in your home, apartment, or business. If you’re in the surrounding Indianapolis area, HomeSense’s licensed electricians can help you identify and fix your electrical problems. Call 317-243-3581 or schedule a service online.