3 Common Outlet Issues and What to do About Them

Some people solve the problem of a loose outlet by bending the prongs of their plugs out so they’ll stay in. This is dangerous! If you’re plugging cords into outlets and they’re falling out, it means the pins in your outlet that hold the plug in are loose.

And loose pins mean that there is space between the prongs of the plug and the actual pins. This space could cause arcing and excess heat, which is a fire hazard. The safest thing to do is replace these outlets. It’s well worth it to take care of the problem and replace the outlet sooner than later.

Are your breakers tripping when you use hair dryers, vacuums or other household appliances? Overloading an outlet is a common issue. With all the electronics a standard household relies on, outlets need to have the functionality to match. Here are things to check at this stage:

• Extension cords should not be used in a permanent application. It’s safer to find a direct outlet for your appliance or device.
• How many cords are going to a single outlet? We recommend reducing the number of cords or increase the outlet’s capabilities.
• Is it a GFCI protected outlet? If so, have you tried resetting it?
• Are you running several high powered appliances from the same outlet? For example, a microwave, toaster oven, stand mixer, vacuum cleaner, etc. If you are, try using different outlets for each appliance.
• Have you tried flipping the breaker back on and it immediately trips again? When this happens the breaker is trying to protect your wiring and home from an electrical fire.

If you’re still having issues, you may need the help of a licensed electrician.

Are you constantly searching for open outlets to charge your phone or devices? When it comes to charging all the devices in a typical home, sometimes there’s just not enough room. So the best solution is to add more plug space with a USB outlet.

There are a few options for this type of outlet, some with regular plugs, and some with multiple USB ports. Replacing a standard outlet with a USB outlet is something the motivated DIY-er can do themselves.