Home is one of your most precious possessions, and you would want to keep it safe at any cost. When it comes to the safety of your home, there are several issues that you need to be careful about. A plumbing issue or a malfunctioning air conditioner may cause a certain amount of damage and discomfort respectively, but neither is irreparable. However, any kind of problem with your electrical connections can cause loss of life. Reports state that sadly enough many people are wounded fatally, due to faults in the electrical systems in their homes. Many homeowners pride themselves on being able to repair the minor problems but there are times when you must promptly connect with professional electrical services to help you out.
You may be one of those careful homeowners that believe in the regular maintenance of your electrical fittings and equipment but does not rule out the possibility of electrical problems. You need to be aware of the tell-tale signs that will alert you to the need for professional electrical services. Check for these signs which will tell you that you need professional help.
Lights That Flicker
There is cause for worry even if it is just one lamp that is flickering. Though this may be an isolated issue, it might still be dangerous. The first sign that your electric system has a short circuit is flickering lights in a particular section of your house. Immediately call upon professionals for electrical services to keep you safe.
Circuit Breaker That Keeps Tripping
The circuit breaker keeps your home protected from overloading. They prevent fire by tripping and cutting off power if your electrical system is overloaded. If it keeps tripping, then the problem is not to be ignored. It could be that:
- There is a serious issue which the breaker is trying to protect against
- Something is wrong with the circuit breaker itself.
- Whatever the reason may be, it is time to seek help from electrical services.
Spots You Cannot Touch Due to Heat
These are called hot spots and indicate a point where the current flow has been diverted to another wire where it is not meant to flow or maybe into the drywall directly. Never ever ignore this if you are concerned about safety. It is extremely dangerous as you cannot detect the direction of the flow.
Outlets and Switches Change Colour
Electrical fires at times occur and go out on their own but it definitely calls for professional help from reliable electrical services. The moment that you find any change in color, particularly if you find black soot-looking residue on or near the outlets and switches remember that it indicates an electrical fire.
When Your Appliances Spark
The moment you notice that there is sparking or smoking when you plug in an appliance or in the duration of it working make sure that you turn off the breaker that controls the outlet. Don’t leave the appliance plugged on but pull it out by the cord. If at all you notice a fire, do not use water to put it out. Get help immediately.
When Your Outlets and Switches Don’t Function
The outlets and switches at home do not last forever. Regular wear and tear will cause them to stop functioning. Don’t ever attempt to fix them yourself. Apparently simple but potentially dangerous, this task is best left to professionals in the field.
Ignoring the above-mentioned points can cause you immense loss. You must be aware that the time has come to seek professional help. The first thing you ought to do if you see any of the signs stated above is to disconnect the power and make a call to professional electrical services to remain safe.
