7 Signs of a Bad Outlet You Shouldn’t Ignore

Thankfully, the electrical outlets in your home will usually give you clues that they pose a safety risk. Continuing to use bad outlets could end up causing a fire or destroying your appliances, so it’s best to pay attention.

In this post, the experts list some signs of a bad outlet that should let you know when to call a team like Professional Services for a house electrical inspection in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

#1 Nothing Stays Plugged In

When you plug an electrical appliance into an outlet, it should fit snugly and shouldn’t fall out easily. As electric outlets age, plugs don’t stay firmly in the outlet. However, if plugs are starting to slip out, they will create a fire hazard. 

In this case, a professional electrician can replace the outlet for a safer home.

#2 The Outlets Look Melted or Yellowed

Problems like too much heat or damaged wiring can discolor your outlets. If the problem is more serious, the outlets may even start to melt! 

Never use outlets that look melted or yellow. Instead, turn off the circuit breaker to the damaged outlet and call a professional electrician right away. Using the outlet could start a fire.

#3 You Smell Smoke Near The Outlets

Along with melted outlets, smelling smoke is one of the major warning signs that your outlet needs immediate attention. Immediately unplug everything from the outlet and turn off the circuit breaker. Then, call a licensed electrician to repair the problem.

#4 Tripped Circuit Breakers Every Time You Use The Outlet

The whole purpose of circuit breakers is to cut power to a certain area that becomes overloaded, such as when you use a microwave and hair dryer at the same time. It’s not a big deal if this only happens occasionally. However, if the breaker trips more frequently or every time you use a certain outlet, there’s a problem with the wiring.

#5 The Outlet is Two-Pronged

If your home has two-pronged outlets, you’ve probably noticed that you don’t have a place to plug in three-pronged electrical devices, like a laptop, vacuum, or even your coffee maker. Two-pronged outlets were standard in the 1960s and may seem to function normally. However, they could easily malfunction at any time due to their advanced age. 

Today, three-pronged outlets have a ground wire, which protects your home from inconsistent electricity flow or surges. Using two-pronged outlets runs the risk of electrical shock or fires if the electrical wiring has a hidden problem. Why not let an electrician like Professional Services replace your outdated outlets so that you can plug in appliances without a safety risk?

#6 GFCI Outlets Don’t Trip

GFCI stands for “ground fault circuit interrupter.” You typically find GFCI outlets in high-humidity areas, like bathrooms and kitchens. They work like mini circuit breakers, immediately cutting power to the outlet if they detect too much electricity or come in contact with moisture.

Each GFCI outlet has its own reset button on the cover plate. When the outlet trips, you can just press the reset button and continue using the outlet as normal. However, the problem comes in when the outlet doesn’t trip. 

If these outlets can’t detect moisture or excess electricity, it could end up causing a fire. Most of the signs of a bad outlet are obvious, but a GFCI outlet that doesn’t trip could be harder to detect. You’ll need a professional electrician to test the outlet and ensure it's working as it should.

#7 You See a Spark When You Use The Outlet

It’s not unusual to notice a minor blue spark when you plug something into an outlet. However, if the spark is large or it produces smoke or a burning smell, it’s not safe to continue to use the outlet. A spark in any color other than blue is also a cause for concern.

Stop using the outlet and schedule an emergency service if you want to avoid a potential fire.

Repair Bad Outlets With Service From Our Licensed Electrician in Port Washington, Wisconsin

Now that you know a few signs of a bad outlet, you can hire an electrician before you end up with more serious problems or a house fire. If you smell smoke or notice melted or discolored outlets, that’s a sure sign of a problem. Two-pronged outlets could also malfunction at any time and will require a professional electrician’s attention.

To schedule Professional Services in Port Washington and the nearby areas, call 262-214-5718 or fill out our online form today!