7 Warning Signs of Bad Electrical Work

Do you need electrical repairs in your home? Call the technicians at Professional Services for prompt electrical work!

Your home's electrical work keeps everything within the house running, from your refrigerator to your television. Having faulty electrical work impacts the way appliances work — and it puts your home at risk. Damaged electrical wiring increases the risk of house fires if left untreated.

As Port Washington's most trusted electrician, Professional Services wants all homeowners to watch out for electrical issues. In this guide, our technicians reveal seven warning signs of bad electrical work.

#1: Scorching and Discoloration

Have you noticed black marks around the outlets in your home? Scorching and discoloration around outlets are strong indicators of electrical issues. This usually means that the house wiring that connects to that outlet is getting too hot, causing burns. 

Look around your property and carefully inspect the outlets. If there are any burn marks around the outlet or distortion of the faceplate, your electrical work requires an investigation. Wiring that's too hot not only damages your outlets but it also presents a major fire hazard.

#2: Strange Sounds

Your electrical system shouldn't make any noise, so if you notice sounds coming from your outlets or wiring, there's definitely a problem. Faulty electrical wiring often produces a vibrating or buzzing sound. This indicates a damaged wire or loose prong — two common types of bad electrical work.

Some homeowners hear the sound of flickering lights when the lights aren't actually flickering. This comes from a current that's not flowing properly. When you hear any of these noises coming from your electrical system, contact an electrician right away for evaluation.

#3: Frequent Blown Fuses or Tripped Circuit Breakers

When you experience frequent tripped switches in your circuit breaker or blown fuses, consider it cause for concern. A circuit breaker that keeps tripping or a fuse that blows frequently is another indicator of bad electrical work. 

In many cases, these issues come from overloading the circuit, but sometimes they come from wiring problems. Only an inspection from an electrician can determine what's causing blown fuses and tripped breakers.

#4: Burning Odors

Your electrical system should never produce an odor. If you smell burning smells or smoke coming from your outlets or wiring, a serious issue is at play. These smells come with serious wiring problems, increasing your risk of an electrical fire.

Burning smells coming from an outlet require immediate attention. Unplug anything from the outlet, and call an electrician right away. Significant burning requires turning off the entire circuit before it starts a fire.

#5: Dimming, Flickering Lights

Flickering lights is a common occurrence, but you must take them seriously. When lights randomly dim or flicker, it indicates faulty wiring or an overloaded outlet. Lighting fixtures require very little power, so if your lights aren't working properly, they could be sharing an outlet with something using far too much power.

Try unplugging other electronics from the shared outlet. If this doesn't resolve the flickering, contact an electrician for an examination of your wiring.

#6: Very Messy Wiring

This indicator of bad electrical work is a very simple one: messy wiring. While it's not necessary, most electricians keep their work tidy and organized. If an electrician leaves your wiring in disarray, it's a sign they didn't take their time.

Your electric power may still work fine with chaotic, entangled wires, but it's always better to keep things organized. Well-organized wiring makes it easier to identify the source of a problem when it arises.

#7: Visibly Damaged Wiring

Sometimes faulty electrical work is sitting right there in plain sight. Visibly damaged wiring is a serious problem, as it increases the risk of electrical fires and prevents your electronics from working properly.

Inspecting your home for any visible signs of damage to your electrical wiring should be done regularly. If the wiring wasn't damaged during the installation process, damage can still happen later on. Pets are a common culprit behind damaged wiring because they bite through electrical wires.

Need Electrical Work in Southeastern Wisconsin? Professional Services Has You Covered!

Are you worried about bad electrical work in your home? Call the technicians at Professional Services! We'll inspect your electrical wiring, checking for any signs of damage or poor installation.

Professional Services is a leading provider of electrical work throughout Port Washington, WI, and surrounding cities. Find out more about the work our electricians are doing by calling us at 262-218-2636 or take a look at our online blog.