Electrical issues can come up in any home, and while some problems will be more severe than others, they all need to be taken care of promptly by a professional electrician to prevent even bigger problems and potential safety hazards. Below are the most common electrical repairs you might have to make at your home. Let’s take a look at what they are:
1. Flickering Lights
One of the first electrical problems you might receive is a flickering light. When you flip a switch, and the light goes out, this happens because the wires that connect your bulb to the fixture have become disconnected. The best thing you can do is check your circuit breaker box and make sure that it’s turned on. The next step is to unplug any heavy appliances from the wall, like your microwave or toaster oven.
2. Bulb Burnouts
A light bulb will burn out if it’s not getting the right amount of power. To prevent this, you need to make sure that your circuit breaker box is turned on so the wires are carrying the correct amount of electricity. If the fixture is missing or damaged, you may also have to replace it with a new one.
3. The Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
This is another common issue that affects all homeowners. The first thing you want to do is check your circuit breaker box to make sure it’s turned on. Next, open your fuse box and make sure that the fuse or circuit breaker that controls the lights has not blown. You may also have to call an electrician to come to assess the problem and help you fix it.
4. Switches & Outlets Shock When Touched
This usually happens when water or moisture gets into the fixture. The first thing you want to do is make sure that it isn’t wet by wiping it down and flipping the switch on and off. If that doesn’t work, you may have to replace your bad switch or outlet with a new one. You can also try using a small fan to dry out the area faster.
5. The Outlet Is Dead
When you plug something into an outlet and there’s no power, it means that the outlet is dead and needs to be replaced. You can do this by switching off your circuit breaker box (just in case), removing the outlet cover plate, and taking out the wires. Take the wires to your local hardware store and purchase a new outlet with wires that are compatible with those of your home.
6. You Have A Very High Electrical Bill
This is another common problem homeowners experience. Some electrical problems are minor, but if you notice that your bill is higher than it should be or that your lights or appliances aren’t turning on properly, you probably need to call an electrician right away. The first thing you want to do, though, is check the circuit breaker box and make sure it’s turned on. If the fixture is damaged, there may also be a new one available at your local store.
7. Faulty Light Switch
If a light switch isn’t working properly, it means that the wiring inside the switch has come loose. To fix this, you can buy a replacement and replace it yourself, or you can call an electrician to do it for you. If you have to replace the light switch, make sure that your circuit breaker box is turned on so that you don’t have any power issues in your home again.
8. A Bathroom Light or Fan Doesn’t Work Properly
In this case, you may have a bad switch. To fix this, you’ll want to either replace the light switch or call an electrician to assess the problem and help you fix it. If the latter is an option, make sure that the circuit breaker box is turned on before contacting any professionals to avoid any safety issues.
9. Ceiling Fans Do Not Rotate Properly
When you have a ceiling fan that suddenly doesn’t rotate properly, it means that there is an issue with your home’s wiring. The first thing you want to do is turn off the circuit breaker box and remove the cover plate from the ceiling fixture. Next, use a voltage tester to find out if power is flowing through the wires. If it isn’t, you may have to call an electrician to help you fix this problem.
10. Broken Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) Outlets Or Breakers
If a GFCI outlet or breaker is broken, it means that the surge protection that is meant to protect you from electrocution has failed, which could cause serious injuries. To fix this problem, you will want to call an electrician to assess the damage and help you install a new outlet. You can also replace the entire breaker entirely if it doesn’t work properly, either.
There are many more electrical issues that can occur at your home, but these are the most common ones. If you notice any of these problems, make sure that you contact an electrician to help you fix them.
