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

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

If you get a shock when you touch a metal object connected to your home’s mechanical system, that can be an indication that your electrical system might not be properly grounded. This goes for electrical fixtures, such as lamps or ceiling fans, but also things such as water lines or furnace ductwork. So that you aren’t confused, it’s not a shock that happens with static electricity; those are much smaller and aren’t concerning, just annoying.

Note: If your electrical service is ungrounded but has three-prong receptacles, appliances that need to be grounded won’t be. Ungrounded three-prong plugs are one of the top-ten electrical mistakes that are made in residential electrical. If you have any questions about your home, be sure to contact a licensed electrician to do an inspection. 

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.