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Signs There Could Be an Electrical Issue in Your Home: 8 Things to Look For

As homeowners, it’s hard to stay on top of every single problem in the house— especially when the problem is inside the walls and out of sight. However, there are some clues that can suggest there’s an electrical problem in your home: unsecured outlets, missing faceplate, discolored faceplate.

Some of them can be really loud or noticeable, like an outlet popping or cracking, or a breaker that trips when you use your microwave. Others are much less noticeable things that can be an indication of an electrical problem. Below is a list of 8 subtle things you can look for to make sure you don’t have any electrical issues in your home.

1. FLICKERING LIGHTS
Flickering lights can seem kind of scary, but the problem is usually straightforward. Often it is just something like a loose electrical connection that needs to be tightened. If the problem is affecting multiple lights or rooms, then it is possible that it might be more complicated. If you find that the lights in the entire house are flickering, then the issue might actually be in the breaker box of your home. If that’s the case, it would be best to have a licensed electrician come take a look at it and troubleshoot your circuits.
2. WARM/HOT OUTLETS OR SWITCHES
Most electrical appliances will generate heat when in use. However, if you find the outlet itself getting hot, you could be looking at a problem. If you do notice excess heat coming from an outlet or switch cover plate, immediately unplug any cords that are plugged into the outlet or turn off the switch. Don’t use it again until you can troubleshoot and fix the issue.

However, dimmer switches can be an exception. They commonly get warm to the touch, since they are dissipating the excess electrical energy in order to create the dimming effect. With that said, even dimmer switch cover plates should never be uncomfortably hot to the touch.
3. BURNING SMELL
If you detect a burning smell coming from a wire, plug, outlet, breaker box, or etc., immediate action must be taken. Find out where the smell is coming from, cut power to that circuit, and get it resolved quickly. If you aren’t comfortable addressing the issue yourself, reach out to a professional ASAP!
4. LOOSE OUTLETS
Loose outlets are unfortunately very common in homes. These loose outlets can lead to sparks, shorts, and even potential fire hazards, so they should be repaired. To address your loose outlets, look at two factors. First, check that the outlet itself is secured to the wall. It shouldn’t wiggle around or be hanging by a screw. Second, check what happens when you plug a cord into the outlet. If the cord slumps downward or doesn’t stay in all the way, it’s time to replace the outlet. Over time, outlets wear out and don’t hold plugs in as well. Some people tweak the prongs on their cords for a quick fix, but it’s best to just change it out.

It’s a fairly easy fix that doesn’t take a lot of time to do. Here is a video to show you how to change out an outlet yourself. But, as with any home electrical project, if you feel nervous or uncomfortable, contact a licensed electrician.
5. MESSY OR TANGLED WIRING
One point to make here is that a well-organized, nicely arranged wiring job doesn’t work any better than wires that are run haphazardly in an area. However, if the wiring was done sloppily or is disorganized, it could be an indication of rushed or poor electrical work.

So, if you notice places where there are really tangled lines or a junction box that looks like a big mess, it would be a good idea to look at the rest of the wiring and circuits in your home. A licensed electrician can come do a whole-house electrical inspection to help you understand your home electrical and give you peace of mind.
6. UNGROUNDED = SHOCKS
One point to make here is that a well-organized, nicely arranged wiring job doesn’t work any better than wires that are run haphazardly in an area. However, if the wiring was done sloppily or is disorganized, it could be an indication of rushed or poor electrical work.

So, if you notice places where there are really tangled lines or a junction box that looks like a big mess, it would be a good idea to look at the rest of the wiring and circuits in your home. A licensed electrician can come do a whole-house electrical inspection to help you understand your home electrical and give you peace of mind.
7. ALUMINUM WIRING
During the late ’60s and early ’70s, home builders typically ran single-strand aluminum for wiring homes because it cost less than copper wiring. Unfortunately, exposed aluminum oxidizes far more rapidly than copper, which can lead to heat build-up and fire risks. Consequently, aluminum is not used for residential branch-circuit wiring any longer.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has found that homes with aluminum wiring run a risk of being up to 55 times more likely to suffer fire damage. There are some different ways to help existing aluminum wiring, from using specialized connectors to having your home completely rewired. If you think your home might have aluminum wiring, it is worth it to call a licensed electrician to look at it and discuss options for replacing it.
8. RODENT ACTIVITY
No one likes to have rodents in their home for many reasons. But did you know that rodents can cause issues with your wiring? If you notice nesting material or rodent droppings near any electrical wiring in your home, inspect the wires to see if there are any chew marks on them. Often, rodents will gnaw wiring until it is bare. Most likely the critter won’t live past that point, but you could be the one in for a shock when the exposed wire begins to spark or overheat as a result of the damage.
Stay safe by checking for these signs in your home’s electrical system. However, as with anything electrical, if you feel like the problem might be over your head or if you feel nervous, call a licensed electrician for help.
 
If you’d like to have your electrical system evaluated by a professional, call to have an Electrical Inspection done on your home.
 
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The prices you are quoted come out of our pricing guide. We have looked at the most common tasks we are asked to perform and figured out the average time to perform the task, the cost of the materials, and the cost associated with running a drain business that is able to stand behind that work.

To calculate the cost of your drain project, your plumber will determine the tasks needed. Each task has a price associated with it, which your plumber will add together to arrive at your total. This method allows us to identify and rule out unnecessary tasks, prioritizing fairness and transparency (while saving you money).

Our pricing method is not influenced by the neighborhood someone lives in but is designed to be fair and transparent. When we designed our pricing guide, we asked ourselves, “What does it take to perform this task?” NOT, “How much can we get a person to pay?” This commitment to honest, clear pricing reflects our respect for our clients.

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When you charge by the hour, you can only give a price after the job is finished. We don’t want you to have to wait until the end of the job to find out how much it costs.

We believe there are too many variables that make “charging by the hour” more of a win for the company than for the homeowner. There are the things that a homeowner has no control over but ends up paying the price for anyway: if a technician has to leave the job to get a part, if technicians work more slowly, if the job takes longer than expected, etc. With “charging by the hour,” there’s no accountability on the plumbing company to have their trucks stocked better, train their technicians better, or run their business more efficiently.

Our commitment to a fair and transparent pricing model is unwavering. We believe in doing right by everyone involved: the homeowner, the technician, and the company. This is not just a business decision, but a moral one, ensuring that everyone is treated with the fairness and respect they deserve.

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The staff answering our phones and scheduling appointments are not technicians. They do not understand how the plumbing in your home works or how to price the work you need help with.

Our process involves a comprehensive on-site assessment by our technicians to ensure no crucial details are missed. This thorough approach that looks at all variables is how we can provide you with a price that remains unchanged from the start to the completion of the work: the price we give you before the begins is what the cost will be after the work is performed. Here at Any Hour Services, we believe in honest pricing.

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Requesting a quote is simple. Contact Any Hour Services, and we will assess your needs, providing a transparent estimate for the repairs.

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Yes, you can request a quote online, and our team at Any Hour Services strives to respond promptly to all inquiries.

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It costs $269 to inspect your sewer main line with our sewer camera equipment. If you’d like to see what the inside of your sewer line looks like, our sewer supervisors have high-definition cameras to show you a live video of the inside your sewer main line.

Residential, owner occupied special:
$29 drain clear / rooter service. Unclog any drain, including the sewer mainline, as long as it has an easily accessible cleanout.

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It costs $269 to inspect your sewer main line with our sewer camera equipment. Below you will find a couple internet specials to help you save. If you’d like to see what the inside of your sewer line looks like, our sewer supervisors have hi definition cameras to show you a live video of the inside your sewer main line.

Residential Special:
$149 live camera inspection. High-definition camera is set down your drain so you can inspect the condition of your sewer mainline. Need an easily accessible clean-out.

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If you are looking to replace your sewer main line, one of our sewer supervisors will come to your home and inspect your sewer main line with a high-definition camera and show you what options are available. The visit doesn’t cost you anything, so call us if you have questions about replacing your sewer main line.

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Yes, in addition to our coupons, we offer senior discounts and military discounts. You can receive 5% off or any special promotions we may be running, whichever is greater. You can ask your drain technician to show you your savings.

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No, as long as you live in our service area, our drain technicians can come to your home and help. We service homes from North Ogden, South to Nephi. West from the Tooele/Grantsville area, east to the Park City Heber area.

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No, our drain technicians don’t quote a price until they have seen your drain issue. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time you want to add more tasks, your drain technician will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

When it comes to our drain clearing specials, if we can not clear your clogged drain, you don’t pay us.

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You can pay for the the drain work we perform with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your drain technician can talk to you about your options.

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Our pricing is fair and transparent. It’s based on a fixed-price guide that considers the time, materials, and costs of running a reliable home services business. We don’t charge by the hour or inflate prices based on your neighborhood. We ask ourselves, “What does it take to get the job done?,” not “How much can we charge?”

Before we price your plumbing job, our licensed plumber will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

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Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

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We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

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Water heater replacements vary. Often, older units require updates to meet safety standards. Common items missing from many water heaters are flexible gas lines, expansion tanks, earthquake straps, gas sediment trap, upgrade exhaust venting, etc.

For an accurate quote, one of our licensed plumbers will inspect your existing system and provide a FREE estimate.

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Our phone staff are not licensed plumbers, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained plumber needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

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Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a licensed plumber can assess the job properly.

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We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. Our plumbers will arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts. They’ll have everything they need to start your plumbing project while they’re at your home, unless the situation is unusual. They’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your plumbing system and explain what they’ll need to do to complete the work you called for. They’re not going to charge you by the hour, they will give you a total price, with options, before any of the work begins.

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There are several large plumbing projects that we are willing to show you what options are available and the visit doesn’t cost you anything; basement finishes, water heater install/replacements, water softener installs/replacement, repiping, tankless water heater install/replacement etc. This is not a complete list so call us if you have questions about your project.

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You will pay a little more to get a plumber to your home after hours but they do not charge more for the work you want them to perform. Our prices come directly from our pricing guide. We do not have a different set of plumbing prices for doing work in the evenings or on weekends. The price for the plumbing work you need done will be the same regardless of the time of day.

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No, our plumbers run calls on Saturdays and charge the same price as they would any other day of the week. We do not have a different set of plumbing prices for work performed on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.

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No, as long as you live in our service area, our plumbers can come to your home and help. We service homes from North Ogden, South to Nephi. West from the Tooele/Grantsville area, east to the Park City Heber area. Here is a full list of Utah Cities we service.

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No, our plumbers don’t quote a price until they have seen your plumbing project. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time, you want to add more tasks to your plumbing project, your plumber will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

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Yes, in addition to our coupons, we offer senior discounts and military discounts. You can receive 5% off or any special promotions we may be running, whichever is greater. You can ask your plumber to show you your savings.

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You can pay for your plumbing service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your plumber can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the HVAC work you want completed.

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