Electrical problems are certainly annoying (remember that outlet that never seemed to hold a plug or the lights that flickered in your kitchen any time someone ran the microwave?). While these issues might seem harmless at first, they can actually be signs of a much larger problem: faulty wiring.
Defective or outdated wiring is a serious safety hazard that can lead to electrical shocks or even fires. That’s why it’s essential to know the top warning signs of bad electrical wiring so you can take action quickly.
Our Santa Fe electricians are here to explain the most common signs of faulty home wiring so that you can avoid costly damage and keep your home safe.
1. Frequently Tripping Circuit Breakers
Your home’s circuit breaker panel detects when a circuit is drawing too much electricity (an overload) or when electricity is going where it shouldn’t (a short circuit). When it senses danger, it trips, cutting off the power to that circuit to prevent overheating and a fire. For example, your breaker might trip if you run a vacuum cleaner, a space heater, and a hairdryer all on the same circuit. This is normal.
However, if you have a breaker that trips frequently, you have a problem. Specifically, the circuit is either chronically overloaded (perhaps by a new appliance or just too many devices) or there is a short in the wiring itself. Instead of constantly resetting your breakers, contact a professional to diagnose the root cause of the problem. This could help you avoid a future electrical fire.
2. Flickering, Dimming, or Buzzing Lights
While a single flickering bulb might just need to be screwed in tighter or replaced, widespread flickering or dimming is a different story. If your lights dim dramatically when a large appliance like an air conditioner or a clothes dryer kicks on, it often signals that your home’s wiring is struggling to manage the load. In these cases, you may benefit from an electrical panel upgrade.
What about buzzing lights? A buzzing or humming sound coming from a light fixture, switch, or outlet is often caused by vibrating loose wires or a faulty connection, which can create dangerous electrical arcs. Professional diagnosis and repair are essential to prevent further damage and danger.
3. Warm, Discolored, or Scorch-Marked Outlets
Your outlets and light switches should never be warm to the touch. In fact, the heat that you may feel is actually a byproduct of electrical resistance from a bad connection, loose wiring, or faulty wiring. If not addressed promptly, this heat could turn into an electrical fire.
Even more alarming is any visible discoloration. Brownish, yellowish, or black marks around the slots of an outlet or on the switch plate itself are, in fact, scorch marks. This means small fires have already been happening inside the wall. Turn off the power to that outlet or switch at your breaker panel immediately, and do not turn it on again until it has been inspected by a licensed electrician.
4. A Persistent Burning Smell
Your sense of smell is one of your best tools for detecting an electrical emergency. If you notice a persistent, acrid smell of burning plastic, fish, or ozone, you could be smelling the insulation of your home’s wiring melting.
This smell might be faint at first and difficult to pinpoint. You may only notice it in one room or near a specific outlet. Do not ignore it. This is a sign that wiring is actively overheating to a dangerous degree, and a fire could be imminent.
Immediately go to your electrical panel and shut off the main breaker (if you can do so safely). Then, call your electrician.
5. Electrical Shocks or Sparks
A mild zap from static electricity in the dry winter air is one thing. A noticeable tingle, jolt, or shock when you touch an appliance, light switch, or outlet is something else entirely. This is a sign that electricity is not being properly grounded and is instead leaking to surfaces you can touch. This could be due to faulty wiring in the appliance or in the house itself.
Likewise, you shouldn’t see visible sparks. While a tiny, quick spark inside the outlet when you plug something in can be normal, large or frequent sparks that jump from the outlet are a clear sign of a short circuit or worn-out, loose connections. This is a major fire hazard and, obviously, a shock hazard. Schedule an electrical repair right away to avoid further issues.
Don’t Wait for a Warning to Become a Disaster
While these problems can sound overwhelming, you can take heart knowing that our team of licensed, professional electricians is just a call away. We’ve seen it all, and we’re trained to hunt down the source of electrical issues safely and efficiently. Once we’ve identified the problem, we explain your options clearly and address them thoroughly so that you can have peace of mind that your home is safe for years to come.
If any of the above warning signs of faulty home wiring sound familiar, contact Roadrunner in Santa Fe, NM, today to schedule an appointment.