Given that we use the electricity in our home all day, every day, we don’t always take into account the state of the wiring that gives us power. For the most part, we assume that it’s functioning as intended. However, there’s a chance that underneath it all, your home’s wiring could be a hazard waiting to happen.
How can you tell? Instead of continuously using electricity and hoping that nothing will go wrong, keep an eye out for a few telltale signs that your wiring needs to be replaced. Some are easily observable, while others you wouldn’t notice unless you’ve got a keen knowledge of the history of your home. Let Roman Electric help you determine if you’re good to go or not, and give us a call if you think you’re at risk.
Home-Related Factors
This is one of those things we mentioned above that you wouldn’t be able to notice unless you know the information ahead of time, and you should. The wires that are installed in homes built more than 40 years ago have run their course. Eventually, they will break down and be more susceptible to sparks and fires, so we recommend having your home rewired if it fits that criteria.
Also, if you’ve recently had your home remodeled, it might be a good idea to have new wiring installed. For instance, if your home remodel included installing more heavy appliances or electrical additions, then your existing electrical grid might not be able to handle the extra strain.
What Type of Wiring?
Even if your home doesn’t fit one of those criteria, it might still be unsafe if you’ve got aluminum wiring. Homes were built with this type of wiring for a few years in the 1960s and 70s, but that was quickly abandoned once people realized that aluminum wiring oxidizes easily and can become exposed at connection points – which leads to fires.
If your home was constructed during that timeframe, it was likely outfitted with aluminum wiring. Although it probably isn’t an immediate danger, we still recommend having a rewiring job performed so you can put that concern to bed for good.
Everyday Visible Signs
Other reasons you’d need new wiring involve things you might encounter as you go about your day at home.
- Arcing, or a visible current when you plug or unplug something from an outlet
- Faulty lights, or ones that dim unexpectedly or flicker on and off without you doing anything
- Frequently tripped breakers or blown fuses
- A noticeable burning smell coming from electrical components
This isn’t a comprehensive list, so there are other things that would warrant a professional inspection. But these are particularly worrisome – should you notice them, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Roman Electric’s team of expert electricians can come up with the ideal rewiring solution for your home. We’ll work with you to figure out how to best support the electricity you need to power your appliances, and we’ll make sure it’s all safe.
Give us a call at 414-369-3798 for more information or to speak with one of our team members!